2004 MINI Cooper vs 2004 MINI Cooper S
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2004 MINI Cooper | 2004 MINI Cooper S |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 282 | 247 |
| Recall campaigns | 2 | 2 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 42 | 41 |
| Investigations | 2 | 2 |
| Crash reports | 5 | 7 |
| Fire reports | 9 | 5 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 25–28 | 25 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 73,768 mi | 74,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | MINI Cooper | MINI Cooper S |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 238 | 210 |
| Electrical System | 15 | 19 |
| Power Train | 26 | 2 |
| Visibility | 7 | 12 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 6 | 3 |
| Air Bags | 0 | 8 |
| Engine | 4 | 2 |
| Suspension | 4 | 0 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Steering problems | 71 | 73 |
| Loss of power | 22 | 20 |
| Stalling | 10 | 8 |
| Airbag warning light | 0 | 6 |
2004 MINI Cooper
2004 MINI Cooper S
Compare all MINI Cooper vs MINI Cooper S years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.