Is the 2004 Mini Cooper a bad year?
282 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Cooper years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2004 Mini Cooper are in line with other Cooper years. Steering stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2004 Cooper owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 75,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 238 (84%) | 55k–97k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 26 (9%) | 52k–78k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical system | 15 (5%) | 50k–90k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Engine | 8 (3%) | 10k–85k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Visibility and wipers | 7 (2%) | 9k–62k miles · mostly behind | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 75,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 282 complaints: 5 mention a crash · 9 mention a fire · 1 reports an injury · 2 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in May 2025.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
I was yielding to make a left turn on green. The car was in neutral. It was a relatively hot day. When I went to go I shifted into gear and immediately found it difficult to turn.
Have a 2004 Mini Cooper with 65,000 miles total and only 6200 miles in last 20 months and car serviced regularly.
I was driving around 40 miles per hour and the car abruptly slowed down then sped up without any warning, if another car was behind me, it would have caused some serious damage.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 75,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2004 Mini Cooper: 4
The affected vehicles may experience temporary or permanent loss of the electro-hydraulic steering assistance. If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." These lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
These headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." Without the amber side reflex reflectors, the lighting visibility may be affected, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
On certain passenger vehicles, the flat tire monitoring system has not been correctly programmed. In the event of a flat tire, an audible signal will not sound to alert the driver to a flat tire. Due to the lack of an audible signal, the driver may not be aware of a flat tire, which could increase the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Mini: 27
Repair instructions Mini sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2004 Mini Cooper. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Some vehicles have turbocharger noise and a lack or loss of performance, due to restriction of turbocharger oil supply…
MINI CVT Replacement Parts Warranty Extension: Additional 12 Months with Up to 50,000 Accumulated Miles
State Inspection and Emission (I/M) Test Fails Due to an Invalid VIN Number
Cavity protection applied to underside of the hood is leaking out onto the wheel arch trim and grille
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Loss of power steering assist
Loss of Power Steering Assist
Neighbouring years
2003 Cooper: 318 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission · 2005 Cooper: 372 complaints, keep it.
Every Mini Cooper year
2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Cooper years side by side
Other Mini models: Mini Cooper Convertible · Mini Cooper S. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2004 Mini Cooper a bad year?
282 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Cooper years. At 75,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Mini Cooper?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: steering (238), transmission and drivetrain (26), electrical system (15), engine (8), visibility and wipers (7).
How many recalls does the 2004 Mini Cooper have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Steering (NHTSA 15V-660), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 09E025000), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 08E050000), Tires (NHTSA 04V-348). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.