repaired · 2017 Q2
Steering: electric power assist system
Risk. 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…
2004 MINI CooperProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 282 owner complaints about the 2004 MINI Cooper, most often about the steering. It is covered by 2 safety recalls, and for recall 15V-660 the manufacturer reports only 31% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 14, 2025. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2004 MINI Cooper has problems
282 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
238Steering8 crash/fire/injury
26Power train1 crash/fire/injury
15Electrical system
7Visibility
6Engine and engine cooling
4Suspension
4Engine
3Structure
2Wheels
129 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 238 | 8 |
| Power train | 26 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 15 | 6 |
| Visibility | 7 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 2 |
| Suspension | 4 | 0 |
| Engine | 4 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 1 |
| Wheels | 2 | 0 |
| 9 other systems | 12 | 3 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
2004 MINI Cooper recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems
Risk. 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.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with MINI.
Mileage at failure
When do steering problems start?
75kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 213 steering complaints. 77% were reported before 100,000 miles.
8under 30k miles163under 100k miles50100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Steering
20 owners mentioned a cost$1,122median
Middle half: $1,000 – $1,400
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2004 vs. every other Cooper year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Cooper median. How we score
'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2004 MINI Cooper safety ratings
2004 MINI Cooper w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Stability control: Optional
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2004 MINI Cooper, and the recalls they led to.
- Loss of power steering assistLed to recall 15V-660
- Loss of Power Steering AssistNo recall
In owners' words
What Cooper owners report
Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The contact owns a 2004 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V660000(STEERING); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the…
Mini felt like it was getting pushed by the wind. Realized wasn't wind Mini loss of completely all functions of steering wheel. On super busy highway. Devine intervention Was in far left car went left to right lanes then hit median gaurd rail spun around Finally got it to stop. Never Hitting and…
MAINLY WHILE COLD AND AT LOW SPEED'S THE WHEEL SUDDENLY BECOMES VERY HARD TO TURN AND I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC BUT IT'S A FAULTY HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING PROBLEM
Own a 2004 Cooper?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.