The 2004 MINI Cooper has 3 recalls, the most serious being a power steering assist failure that can make the wheel significantly harder to turn at low speeds, raising the risk of a crash.
The electro-hydraulic steering assist can cut out temporarily or permanently, and while the car remains steerable, the extra effort required at parking-lot speeds or during slow maneuvers can catch a driver off guard. The remaining two recalls both address the same flat tire monitoring system defect: the system is not correctly programmed to sound an audible alert when a tire goes flat. Without that warning chime, a driver may not realize they have a flat and continue driving on a deflated tire, which can affect handling and increase crash risk.
At a glance
What can fail
The electro-hydraulic power steering system may lose assistance temporarily or permanently, affecting steering control.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the power steering system and replace components and wiring as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The flat tire monitoring system's audible alert (a single gong) and indicator lamp are not programmed correctly. If you get a flat tire, the alert sound won't play and the lamp will stay lit instead of flashing.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram your instrument cluster to fix the flat tire alert system.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The flat tire monitoring system software wasn't programmed correctly. If a tire goes flat, the audible alert that warns you won't sound.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the vehicle's software to fix the audible alert in the flat tire monitoring system.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
