2004 Mini Cooper: common problems and reliability
One of the worst Cooper years.
One of the Mini Cooper years to avoid. All Cooper years
1,058 owner complaints, most about steering. 4 recalls.
Should I buy a 2004 Cooper?The 2004 Mini Cooper has 1058 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are steering and electrical system.
Safety record for the 2004 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2004 Mini Cooper vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Cooper years only. How we score it
Is 2004 a good year for the Cooper?
Across the 19 Cooper model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2022) to 1,058 (2004). With 1,058 complaints, the 2004 Cooper sits above the model's median of 127.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2004 Cooper
steering:electric power assist system
Campaign 15V660000BMW 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.
exterior lighting:headlights
Campaign 08E050000K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. 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."
exterior lighting:headlights
Campaign 09E025000DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. 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.
tires:pressure monitoring and regulating systems
Campaign 04V348000ON 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.
What owners say across generations
\nSentiment is sharply divided by generation, with owner satisfaction heavily dependent on model year and powertrain.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Cooper. See the full Cooper owner picture and every model year.
Other Cooper model years
Compare every Cooper year side by side to see how 2004 ranks against the rest.
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