RecallRepo

2004 MINI Cooper S Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2004 MINI Cooper S has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 87,211 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 279 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the steering. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

STEERING 15V660000 2015-10-15 86,018 affected
Defect

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.

Consequence

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…

TIRES 04V348000 2004-07-12 1,193 affected
Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Complaints by component

STEERING
202
7crashes3fires2injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
18
2fires1injuries
AIR BAGS
8
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
8
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
6
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
3
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
3
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
3
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
2
1fires
Total complaints279

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Was driving car on 18 july 2020 and power steering quit working and made steering difficult, also coolant fan,low speed and high speed stopped working same time as power steering quit. The asc light came on and it will not turn off. No blown fuses in engine compartment or by drivers kick panel. I…”

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) · reported 2020-07-18

“Was driving car on 18 july 2020 and power steering quit working and made steering difficult, also coolant fan,low speed and high speed stopped working same time as power steering quit. The asc light came on and it will not turn off. No blown fuses in engine compartment or by drivers kick panel. I…”

ENGINE · reported 2020-07-18

“Was driving car on 18 july 2020 and power steering quit working and made steering difficult, also coolant fan,low speed and high speed stopped working same time as power steering quit. The asc light came on and it will not turn off. No blown fuses in engine compartment or by drivers kick panel. I…”

STEERING · reported 2020-07-18

“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mini cooper s. The contact stated that while driving at attempting to make a turn, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the steering column. The contact also stated that there was a power steering fluid leak present. The failure was intermittent. The vehicle…”

STEERING · reported 2020-02-29

“The power steering is very stiff to drive and cannot drive my cooper because I can no longer steer the vehicle.”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2019-12-13

“The power steering is very stiff to drive and cannot drive my cooper because I can no longer steer the vehicle.”

STEERING · reported 2019-12-13

“When you turn wheel left or right it makes a noise and it's very hard to turn. So I think it's the steering: electric power assist system. Recall id # 240625.”

STEERING · reported 2019-11-24

“All models from 2005 onward have been recalled, yet earlier models have the same problems with non functioning airbags. The airbag warning light is on continually, and there are known problems with wiring, pressure mats and connectors in these vehicles. Bmw is intentionally ignoring these issue.…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2019-06-30

Defect investigations

Investigation EA11005 Opened 2011-05-04 · closed 2016-01-05

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…

Investigation EA11005 Opened 2011-05-04 · closed 2016-01-05

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…

Investigation EA11005 Opened 2011-05-04 · closed 2016-01-05

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…

Investigation EA11005 Opened 2011-05-04 · closed 2016-01-05

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…

Investigation PE10038 Opened 2010-09-24 · closed 2011-05-10

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…

Investigation PE10038 Opened 2010-09-24 · closed 2011-05-10

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…

Investigation PE10038 Opened 2010-09-24 · closed 2011-05-10

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…

Investigation PE10038 Opened 2010-09-24 · closed 2011-05-10

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…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2004 MINI Cooper S as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.