Model year guide

2004 Mini Cooper

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2004 Mini Cooper is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 71 on record.

2004 Mini Cooper — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2004 Mini Cooper at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints529
Combined27 mpg
Typical price$4,004

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2004 Mini Cooper recalls 4

Steering:electric Power Assist System NHTSA Campaign #15V660000 · 15/10/2015

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.

Fix: 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. Ow…

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #08E050000 · 11/08/2008

K2 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."

Fix: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #09E025000 · 11/05/2009

DOPE, 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.

Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Tires:pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems NHTSA Campaign #04V348000 · 12/07/2004

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.

Fix: 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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2004 Mini Cooper common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 529 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

2004 Mini Cooper MPG & running costs

Combined27 mpg
City24 mpg
Highway31 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,875

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2004 Mini Cooper worth?

Low
$2,450
Typical price
$4,004
High
$5,700

From 71 comparable 2004 Mini Cooper listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2004 Mini Cooper costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$14,375
Fuel only$14,375
Per mile$0.19

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2004 Mini Cooper trims & engines on record

Trims
Base · S
Engines
4-cyl 115 hp · 4-cyl 168 hp

2004 Mini Cooper vehicles on record

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Other Mini Cooper model years

2020 2019 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2003 2002 1993

2004 Mini Cooper — frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Mini Cooper have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2004 Mini Cooper. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Mini Cooper?

Based on 529 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are steering, electronic stability control (esc), air bags.

What gas mileage does the 2004 Mini Cooper get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2004 Mini Cooper at about 27 mpg combined (24 city / 31 highway).

How much is a 2004 Mini Cooper worth?

Comparable 2004 Mini Cooper listings run roughly $2,450–$5,700, typically around $4,004 (from 71 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.