BMW of North America is recalling 2020-2024 MINI Hardtop 2 Door Cooper SE vehicles. Faults may occur in the high voltage battery or high voltage system, resulting in a short circuit, according to recall documents made public today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“This may lead to an overheating of the high voltage battery and, in rare cases a thermal event [fire] even when the vehicle is not in operation,” BMW said in the required safety defect recall filing.
Chronology
October 2023: BMW became aware of a field incident in the U.S. involving a MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper SE) in which the vehicle experienced a thermal [fire] event. An engineering analysis of this vehicle was initiated.
January 2024: BMW AG was informed of an additional field incident in Germany. Engineering analysis of the vehicle identified isolation faults within the high voltage battery. Additional analysis was started to further understand the root cause of the isolation fault.
Between April and July: Reviews of field data and analyses of vehicle diagnostic information were conducted in which vehicles may have experienced a fault in the high voltage battery or high voltage system, and to determine the reason(s) for these occurrences. Vehicle assembly information and supplier production and process records were reviewed to determine the potentially affected vehicles.
August 8, 2024:, BMW decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall. As of August 2024, BMW is aware of approximately 2 customer complaints, concerns, and/or field instances, that relate or may relate to the safety issue identified in this report. BMW has not received any reports, nor is BMW otherwise aware, of any accidents or injuries related to this safety defect.
Dealers will provide a software update, free of charge as required by U.S. Safety Regulations. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed 7 October 7, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-866-ASK-MINI (1-866-275-6464). Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov about NHTSA campaign 24V612.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
MINI Cooper SE 2 Doors Recalled for Battery Fires
BMW of North America is recalling 2020-2024 MINI Hardtop 2 Door Cooper SE vehicles. Faults may occur in the high voltage battery or high voltage system, resulting in a short circuit, according to recall documents made public today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“This may lead to an overheating of the high voltage battery and, in rare cases a thermal event [fire] even when the vehicle is not in operation,” BMW said in the required safety defect recall filing.
Chronology
October 2023: BMW became aware of a field incident in the U.S. involving a MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper SE) in which the vehicle experienced a thermal [fire] event. An engineering analysis of this vehicle was initiated.
January 2024: BMW AG was informed of an additional field incident in Germany. Engineering analysis of the vehicle identified isolation faults within the high voltage battery. Additional analysis was started to further understand the root cause of the isolation fault.
Between April and July: Reviews of field data and analyses of vehicle diagnostic information were conducted in which vehicles may have experienced a fault in the high voltage battery or high voltage system, and to determine the reason(s) for these occurrences. Vehicle assembly information and supplier production and process records were reviewed to determine the potentially affected vehicles.
August 8, 2024:, BMW decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall. As of August 2024, BMW is aware of approximately 2 customer complaints, concerns, and/or field instances, that relate or may relate to the safety issue identified in this report. BMW has not received any reports, nor is BMW otherwise aware, of any accidents or injuries related to this safety defect.
Dealers will provide a software update, free of charge as required by U.S. Safety Regulations. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed 7 October 7, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-866-ASK-MINI (1-866-275-6464). Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov about NHTSA campaign 24V612.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.