CarComplaints.com Notes: Power steering problems are a major issue with the 2004 Mini Cooper, with hundreds of owners reporting complaints to the NHTSA about their power steering suddenly failing while driving.

Some power steering failures have caused crashes & injuries. Average mileage at failure is well under 100,000 miles & the repair cost is over $1,000. Not good.

2.5

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
58,487 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Mini Cooper steering problems

steering problem

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2004 Mini Cooper Owner Comments

problem #12

Nov 142011

Cooper 4-cyl

  • 69,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2004 MINICooper S. the contact stated that when he started the vehicle the power steering failed and the steering wheel became abnormally stiff. The dealer was notified of the failure who stated that there were no recalls for the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 69,000...updated 01/04/12 the consumer stated the power steering pump was replaced at a cost of $866.67. The consumer has since traded the vehicle. Updated 01/09/12

- Blairsville, PA, USA

problem #11

Apr 232011

Cooper 4-cyl

  • 85,500 miles
The contact owns a 2004 MINICooper. The contact was driving 35 mph when the power steering failed. The vehicle was turned off and restarted yet the failure continued. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop where the power steering pump and power steering cooling fan were replaced. The manufacturer was not notified. The current and failure mileage was approximately 85,500. Updated 09/07/11 updated 10/31/11

- Evergreen Park, IL, USA

problem #10

Apr 042011

Cooper

  • 57,000 miles
2004 MINICooper S. consumer is seeking reimbursement for the replacement of the power steering pump.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #9

Nov 012010

Cooper 4-cyl

  • 18,250 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Power steering intermittently loses power making it difficult to control the car. The power steering pump was replaced due to an internal failure. Invoice received. Updated 08/11/11. Updated 08/15/11 updated 08/24/11

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #8

Oct 152009

Cooper

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 MINICooper S. the contact stated that the power steering would fail sporadically and more effort had to be exerted when attempting to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the power steering pump and fan would need replacing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000 and the current mileage was approximately 83,000.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #7

Oct 022010

Cooper

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 MINICooper. While driving 25 mph and attempting a right turn, the steering wheel locked and the contact was unable to maneuver the steering wheel. The dealer was contacted and she was advised that the vehicle was not under recall and any repairs would be at her expense. The dealer also advised that the power steering pump would likely ned to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 50,000.

- Redwood City, CA, USA

problem #6

Feb 162010

Cooper 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2004 MINICooper. While traveling 15 mph and making a turn in either direction the contact noticed that the steering wheel would intermittently be extremely difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where the contact was informed that the power steering pump needed to be replaced. There were no prior warnings and the vehicle was not repaired. The current mileage was 80000 and the failure mileage was 75000. Updated 01/11/2011 updated 02/28/11

- Los Angles, CA, USA

problem #5

Aug 012010

Cooper 4-cyl

  • 49,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 MINICooper. The contact stated that when starting the vehicle there was no power steering function. The contact stated in order for the power steering to function properly the vehicle had to cool down and that could take hours. The vehicle also became very difficult to drive. The contact has not taken the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact noticed a lot of complaints regarding her year, make, and model and the power steering system and would like for the manufacturer to do something about it. The failure mileage was 48,000. Updated 01/20/11 updated 03/28/11

- Laurel , IN, USA

problem #4

Jun 152009

Cooper

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 MINICooper. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering would fail without prior warning. When this would occur, the contact could not control the steering wheel in either direction. The dealer stated that the failure was common in his year, make and model and recommended replacing the power steering pump. The contact confirmed that the failure occurred intermittently. The failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 67,000.

- Saint Gabriel, CA, USA

problem #3

Dec 232007

Cooper 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 58,781 miles
My 2004 MINICooper S lost steering control approaching a very dangerous corner on California sr 330. It took all my strength to turn the wheel and I nearly avoided a serious accident, but was able to get through the turn and then get the car off the road. Searching on the web, I seen hundreds of reports of steering failure in 2002 through 2006 MINIcoopers. My dealer was knew about the issue and replaced the steering pump. My MINIhas 58,000 miles on it.

- Redlands, CA, USA

problem #2

Nov 062007

Cooper 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 49,900 miles
2004 MINICooper S power steering pump failure three times while driving vehicle not yet replaced no consequences yet beyond frightening.

- Pleasant Ridge, MI, USA

problem #1

Oct 162007

Cooper 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 54,412 miles
Driving down road started to make a left turn and the power steering assist fails. I barely managed to keep car on the road. Unbelievable difficult to steer and crucial turn. Have yet to replace part and upon research find MINIknows of this problem and put out a duct work and improved pump. They however have not voluntarily recalled vehicles to retrofit.

- Chicopee, MA, USA

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