The contact owns a 2004 Mini Cooper. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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 manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had experienced the failure, causing the driver to lose control of the steering and drive off the road. The exact cause of the failure was not determined, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160.000. Parts distribution disconnect.
The worst 2004 MINI Cooper problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Steering238
- Transmission26
- Electrical15
- Engine10
- Visibility7
- Suspension4
- Body3
- Acceleration2
- Brakes2
- Driver assistance2
- Fuel system2
- Tires2
- Wheels2
- Lights1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 MINI Cooper
Power steering loss 95Loss of power 24Steering lock-up 12Transmission failure 12CVT failure 11Battery drain 7Engine failure 7Fire or smoke 7Stalling 5
Recalls 2
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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 vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- MINI will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the electro-hydraulic power steering system, replacing the components and wiring, as necessary, free of charge. Interim notices were mailed to owners on December 10, 2015. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1‑866‑825‑1525.
Recall number 15V660000 · Recall details
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
- Remedy
- Dealers will reprogram the vehicle's software in order to actuate the flat tire monitoring system's audible signal. The recall began october 13, 2004. Owners should contact mini customer relations at 1‑866‑275‑6464.
Recall number 04V348000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 2004 MINI Cooper
Defect investigations
Loss of power steering assist
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) originally opened the investigation of loss of power steering assist in model year (MY) 2004 and 2005 Mini Cooper as Preliminary Evaluation PE10-038.The investigation was upgraded to Engineering Analysis EA11-005 in May, 2011.During EA11-005 the scope was expanded to include MY 2002 and 2003 vehicles that use the same steering system.The subject vehicles now include MY 2002, the first year BMW sold MINI in the U.S., through mid-MY 2005 covering approximately 109,000 vehicles.The subject vehicles use an electrically driven pump to provide hydraulic pressure to a conventional rack-and-pinion steering gear.A pump, the electric motor, and an electronic control unit (ECU) are housed in a single component BMW calls a Power Pack.The investigation focused on contaminant-induced failure of the ECU resulting in a loss of assist without warning.When assist is lost mechanical steering is retained however increased steering effort is required to keep the vehicle on an intended path.Some consumers reported that restarting the vehicle (cycling the ignition switch) would often reinstate the steering assist.Additionally, and by design, assist can also reinstate during the drive cycle in limited circumstances.The unexpected loss of assist, and/or possibly the reinstatement of assist while driving, may contribute to a loss of vehicle control in certain driving situations.During MY 2005 production BMW introduced a revised Power Pack design (the ECU incorporated a conformal coating of the circuit board) which resulted in a significant reduction in failures.ODI identified 20 reports describing crashes consistent with a loss of power assist event possibly caused by a failure of the Power Pack.Two reports alleged an injury however both were minor in nature and did not require emergency treatment (a subsequent doctor's visit occurred in one case).Ten of these reports described low speed crashes with minimal, or in most cases no property or vehicle damage (e.g., striking a movable barrier in a parking lot).Additionally 27 other reports alleged or indicated that a crash occurred due to a Power Pack failure however in reviewing these reports, ODI either 1) was unable to confirm that a crash actually occurred (8 reports), or 2) determined that the crash circumstances (e.g., adverse road/weather conditions) or cause (e.g., the crash was caused by steering linkage failure) were not attributable to a Power Pack failure (19 reports).Throughout the investigation BMW maintained that loss of assist in the subject vehicles did not constitute a safety related defect, noting that the subject vehicles are smaller, light weight vehicles that can be reasonably controlled when assist is lost.In May 2013 BMW launched a 13 year/150,000 mile extended warranty coverage utilizing the redesigned Power Pack as a replacement part.ODI continued its investigation.In July 2014 BMW provided ODI a status of the ongoing extended warranty program, and in May 2015 ODI requested an update of complaint data.Following a review of the provided data, ODI informed BMW of its assessment that loss of steering assist failures were not adequately resolved by an extended warranty program.On October 12, 2015 BMW notified the federal safety agency that it would conduct a safety recall (15V‑660) on approximately 86,000 subject vehicles not previously remedied with the new design Power Pack through regular or extended warranty programs.The recall covers MY 2002-2005 MINI Cooper, MY 2002-2005 MINI Cooper S, and MY 2005 MINI Cooper/Cooper S convertibles manufactured through Feb 9, 2005.Vehicles produced after this date are not included si
EA11005
Loss of Power Steering Assist
ODI has received 339 complaints alleging an unexpected loss of power steering assist while driving the vehicle.When the power steering assist stops working, drivers experienced difficulty in steering and/or controlling the vehicle.According to BMW drivers may experience either a temporary or permanent loss of power steering assist.BMW further advised that a temporary loss of power steering assist may be due to a malfunctioning cooling fan or an under-voltage condition in the power steering system.A permanent loss of power steering assist may be due to an error in the internal electronics, and may also result in the continuous running of the power steering pump.The VOQ complaints allege 5 minor crashes and 3 fires.The crashes are described as hit the curb.The fires are described as melted wires. There were no property damage claims.ODI has received similar complaints for other model year Mini.Additional information is required to evaluate the frequency, consequence, and scope of this issue.Accordingly the investigation has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (see EA11-005).
PE10038
Technical service bulletins for the 2004 MINI Cooper 42
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Cavity protection applied to underside of the hood is leaking out onto the wheel arch trim and grille.
- MINI electrical systems have continued to develop over the past few years
- W10 engine: EMS2K - comprehensive component OBD readiness monitor not completed
- This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI 32 02 14 dated August 2014
- Mini: different faults activates engine malfunction and oil warning. ma
- Mini: because of the dme software, and a damaged clutch, the drivetrain malfunction check message appear. ma
- Mini: faulty software for the tank ventilation control displays engine throttle reaction when temperature...
- Mini: a mechanical failure and dme software error of the vanos actuators cause the engine to run rough...
- Mini: due to faulty dme software, the service engine lights comes on, including the check control message...
- Mini: faulty software causes the check control and engine power reduced light to appear. ma
2004 MINI Cooper fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4‑cyl | FWD | 22-25 | 29-33 | 25-28 |
What 2004 MINI Cooper owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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 hurting anyone around me. Nobody hit me. Car is totalled ! Still at tow place. I saw my life flash as cars were zooming by me. Someone should be held responsible for my car and almost my life. Called out of work can't move upper body that well.
My wife was driving our 2004 mini cooper home traveling uphill on a steep paved mountain roadway traveling a maximum of 15 MPH when for some unknown reason the vehicle left the roadway; struck a tree with its left front and burst into an exploding fire killing my wife who was not able to escape the burning vehicle. The nc state police are investigating the cause of the fire and death. They do not know yet whether the vehicle caught fire prior to striking the tree but, feel the fire could not have been caused by the vehicle striking the tree at a low impact and speed. Nc mv accident report#[xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
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
Very hard to turn steering wheel at times especially when moving slowly; coming to a turn at a light, backing out of a parking spot, etc.
2004 mini cooper purchased new aprox 62 miles on it and the CVT transmission is gone & there was a class action lawsuit for the replacement of this, I was never notified and want this fixed at no cost to me. At aprox. 50 to 60 MPH the car engines goes way beyond the proper RPM.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mini cooper. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to turn in either direction. The electric power steering warning indicator was not illuminated. An unknown dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not under warranty, and was excluded from the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v660000 (steering) and the federal safety agency action numbers: ea11005 (steering) and pe10038 (steering). The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was not available.
Power steering has been an issue over a year or two. No total failures but it does not qualify as power steering. The cooling fan does not work. Steering is not good....for powered steering that is. Slow speed steering is horrendous and non existent.
I own a 2004 mini cooper. I was driving and lost all power steering almost causing a accident. There is a open recall on this issue. I contacted mini and they informed me that my vehicle was not included with the recall. I explained that my car was experiencing all the issues addressed in the recall, but they still would not help me out.
Mini cooper power steering pump failure. Vehicle was recently driven and was parked on the street. We started the vehicle and backed up to pull out of the parking spot. There was no power steering. We had to attempt to back up again to get off of the street and in to the parking spot. A burning smell and smoke started from under the hood. The power steering pump and cooling fan had failed. There are documented issues with this failure. When I contacted the dealership, I was told the extended warranty for this issue expired in april. This happened june 12th.
Compare the 2004 MINI Cooper
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Questions about the 2004 MINI Cooper
Is the 2004 MINI Cooper reliable?
Owners have filed 282 complaints about the 2004 MINI Cooper, 5.0 times a typical Cooper model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2004 MINI Cooper year score?
The 2004 MINI Cooper scores 17 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the MINI Cooper: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 MINI Cooper?
Steering, with 238 complaints, typically around 74,600 miles. Next is transmission (26).
How many recalls does the 2004 MINI Cooper have?
2 recalls, covering steering and tires.
What gas mileage does the 2004 MINI Cooper get?
Official estimates for the 2004 MINI Cooper range from 25 to 28 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.6L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 22-25 city and 29-33 highway.
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