The 2004 MINI Cooper has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Steering recall 15V660000 parts and eligibility reports.” MINI uses BMW's Condition-Based Service: the car tracks oil, brake fluid, and inspection items individually and displays when each is due — trust the countdown, but know the underlying targets below. Modern MINIs run BMW B36/B38/B46/B48 three- and four-cylinder turbos that require BMW Longlife-spec oil; the John Cooper Works variants are the same hardware pushed harder, and benefit from shortening the oil interval. ALL4 all-wheel-drive Clubmans and Countrymans add a rear-coupling fluid service.
No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2004 MINI Cooper.
STEERING
13 NHTSA complaints · 2015-12 → 2025-05
“THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE”
“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”
“THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE REMEDIED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THEY DID NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE”
POWER TRAIN
7 NHTSA complaints · 2012-02 → 2018-11
“ON MY 2004 MINI COOPER, BASE, WITH CVT, IT THE RPMS JUMP TO ~3800 BETWEEN 50-65 MPH”
“AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN 2004 MINI COOPER FAILURE AT 98K MILES. COST TO REBUILD QUOTED AT $5K-$8K”
“AT APROX. 50 TO 60 MPH THE CAR ENGINES GOES WAY BEYOND THE PROPER RPM”
STEERING
148 NHTSA complaints · 2012-01 → 2022-04
“AS I WAS DRIVING 40 MPH ON MY LOCAL 2-LANE ROAD, MY POWER STEERING SUDDENLY FAILED WITH NO WARNING WHATSOEVER”
“POWER STEERING ASSIST INTERMITTENTLY FAILED MULTIPLE TIMES TODAY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN SEEMS TO TEMPORARILY FIX THE PROBLEM BUT AFTER SOME TIME, THE POWER ASSIST WILL FAIL AGAIN”
“POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND I ALMOST CRASHED”
STEERING
11 NHTSA complaints · 2012-02 → 2012-10
“POWER STEERING PUMP WONT SHUT OFF AFTER VEHICLE IS DISABLED, CAUSING THE BATTERY TO DIE”
“INTERMITTENT POWER STEERING FAILURE. POWER STEERING PUMP REMAINS ON AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE CAR AND DRAINS THE BATTERY”
“THE CAR POWER STEERING COOLING FAN STAYED ON AFTER I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND DRAINED THE BATTERY”
AIR BAGS
6 NHTSA complaints · 2012-07 → 2019-06
“AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ILLUMINATED”
“AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. SHUTTING OFF AND RESTARTING CAR, THE LIGHT WILL GO OUT BUT COMES BACK ON WITHIN SECONDS”
“THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE PRESSURE MAT BUT THE DEALERSHIP INDICATES THERE IS NO OPEN RECALL ON THIS PARTICULAR CAR EVEN THOUGH MANY CARS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEM WERE RECALLED”
STEERING
7 NHTSA complaints · 2012-05 → 2017-08
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING PUMP CAUGHT ON FIRE, MELTING ALL OF THE WIRES”
“A BURNING SMELL AND SMOKE STARTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD”
“I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, PULLED UP THE HOOD AND SAW FIRE”
Note: NHTSA also opened 2 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.
Issues on other model years
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 1, 2026.
We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
Replace BMW Longlife-spec synthetic and filter every 10,000 miles or annually — whichever CBS signals first. JCW and spirited driving: many owners run 5,000-7,500 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$120–$160
Shop
~$85–$115
DIY
~$25–$55
Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.
Replace DOT 4 LV fluid every 2 years — CBS tracks this on time, not miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$180–$200
Shop
~$125–$140
DIY
~$10–$25
DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.
Rotate every 10,000 miles where sizes match front/rear. MINIs are hard on front tires — short wheelbase plus eager front axle.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.
Electronic pad-wear sensors report through CBS; replace sensors with pads. JCW Brembo setups wear faster — budget accordingly.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
Multi-point inspection every 30,000 miles or 2 years per CBS: brakes, suspension, steering, exhaust, and underbody. Run-flat tires deserve a close look at each check — sidewall damage hides.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free with any paid service. A flashlight and 10 minutes covers the basics yourself.
B-series turbo engines: plugs around every 60,000 miles — sooner on JCW under hard use. Earlier N-series engines (pre-2014): commonly 45,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$390
Shop
~$200–$275
DIY
~$25–$100
Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.
Replace around every 40,000 miles; inspect at oil services on turbo engines.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.
Aisin 8-speed and the 7-speed dual-clutch are labeled lifetime fill; independent MINI/BMW specialists recommend fluid service around 60,000 miles with the exact specified fluid.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$330–$500
Shop
~$235–$355
DIY
~$60–$180
Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.
ALL4 AWD (Clubman, Countryman): replace the rear-coupling fluid roughly every 40,000 miles — same discipline as other Haldex-style systems, same failure mode when skipped.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$220–$290
Shop
~$155–$205
DIY
~$40–$90
VW/Audi/Volvo AWD coupling — specific fluid required. Filter usually swapped at the same time.
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
Replace the activated-carbon microfilter every 30,000 miles or 2 years.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.
BMW-spec coolant is labeled lifetime fill; specialists refresh every 4-5 years to protect the electric water pump and plastic thermostat housing.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$330
Shop
~$200–$235
DIY
~$25–$60
Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.
Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)
48 crashes 1990–2024
How the 48 occupant deaths break down
36
driver deaths
12
passenger deaths
48
occupant deaths
Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2004 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.
FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number
FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.
Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.
Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.
IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.
Owner-reported problem signals
Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.
12
complaints mentioning a crash
14
complaints mentioning a fire
Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.
How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.
This maintenance schedule for the 2004 MINI Cooper reflects MINI's published service intervals and the Condition-Based Service system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.