BMW Recalls 12,535 Mini Cooper SEs Over Fire Risk

• BMW is recalling 12,535 Mini Cooper SE EVs within the U.S. over a high-voltage battery situation. 
• The repair includes a dealer-installed software program replace that senses battery malfunctions. 
• The issue may cause a brief circuit, which might result in fires. 

BMW is recalling 12,535 Mini Cooper SEs within the U.S. over a difficulty with their high-voltage batteries, in response to documents filed with the Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration (NHTSA). 

The recall impacts 2020-2024 fashions produced between March 2019 and January 2024. House owners with doubtlessly faulty autos can take their autos to a Mini dealership for a complementary software program replace that the automaker expects will head off the problem. 

BMW, which owns Mini, discovered in October 2023 {that a} Mini Cooper SE driver skilled a “thermal occasion.” Then, it discovered of one other incident in Germany in early 2024. The corporate says it is not conscious of any accidents because of the battery situation. 

In line with the recall paperwork, faults within the Mini’s high-voltage battery, which might occur for a wide range of causes, might result in a brief circuit.

“This will result in an overheating of the excessive voltage battery and, in uncommon circumstances, a thermal occasion, even when the automobile just isn’t in operation,” BMW stated in its discover to NHTSA. 

NHTSA put the issue extra plainly: “A brief circuit will increase the chance of a hearth.”

The treatment includes a software program replace to the Mini’s battery administration system which discharges the battery to beneath a 30% state of cost if a malfunction is detected. 

Whereas EV fires make extra information, there’s no evidence that electric cars are more likely to catch fire than combustion-engine autos. Nonetheless, lithium-ion battery blazes transfer shortly and are notoriously tough to place out. For those who personal an affected Cooper SE, count on Mini to succeed in out quickly.

Contact the writer: tim.levin@insideevs.com