2004 MINI Cooper steering problems
Owners reported steering problems in 247 complaints for the 2004 MINI Cooper, 75% of the complaints on file. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 247 75% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 75,000 miles 220 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 3 and 5
- Injuries and deaths
- 0 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When steering problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 6 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 11 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 52 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 52 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 49 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 25 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 14 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 6 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 2 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 2 |
What the data shows
Of the 220 steering complaints that report mileage, the median is about 75,000 miles, and 31% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 3 crashes, 5 fires.
What owners wrote
I had driven 2004 mini for about 30 minute, then parked it in driveway. Within 15 minutes I looked over to see smoke coming from the engine. I opened the compartment and got help. We pushed it into a nearby field and called the fire dept. If it had stayed in the drive, it would have also ignited 2 cars, the house and a boat. Who know about people and animals. I almost got run over trying to stop the mini as it was pushed. After the car was out, we had it towed to inskip auto in warwick ri.
I am the original owner of a 2004 mini cooper s, now with a power steering problem. The power steering repeatedly fails for no detectable reason--this according to my mini/bmw mechanic. I drive the car for approximately 15 miles and the power steering fails. I shut the car off, let it cool and restart it. It returns to normal and then again fails after a few miles. The on-board computer records the failure, but does not explain it in a way that would suggest a solution.
Other problems reported for the 2004 MINI Cooper
- Electrical system 15 complaints