Worst 2004 MINI Cooper S Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Steering Defects
Electrical Faults
Airbags
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2004 MINI Cooper S.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering Defects | 202 | 7 | 3 | 81,507 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 18 | — | 2 | 78,611 mi | |
| Airbags | 8 | — | — | 77,107 mi | |
| Visibility:Windshield | 8 | — | — | 14,126 mi | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump | 6 | — | — | 60,682 mi | |
| Steering:Electric Power Assist System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine Problems | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Latches / Locks | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Tire Defects | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Wiring & Fuses | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel Pump | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Manual Transmission | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/Cooler | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Abs Warning Light | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Side/Rear Glass | 1 | — | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 MINI Cooper S. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2004 MINI Cooper S
1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting ~86,018 vehicles.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 MINI Cooper and Cooper S vehicles and 2005 Cooper and Cooper S Convertible vehicles. The affected vehicles may experience temporary or permanent loss of the electro-hydraulic steering assistance.
Other MINI Cooper S Years
2004 MINI Cooper S — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2004 MINI Cooper S reliable?
What are common problems with the 2004 MINI Cooper S?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 MINI Cooper S?
How safe is the 2004 MINI Cooper S?
Does the 2004 MINI Cooper S have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2004 MINI Cooper S?
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full MINI Cooper S reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2004 MINI Cooper S
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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