2010 MINI Cooper: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed May 12, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · ME · fire

On Thursday I was driving my 2010 Mini Cooper S with 75,000 miles on it and there was a total and sudden power outage on the high way. I was able to get to the breakdown lane and had it towed. My mini certified garage ran the computer on it and the car started right up. It was due for an inspection so we did an oil and filter and put on some new tires. No issues were found and car was running well. We picked it up on Friday and Saturday morning after a short drive I was parking and smoke started pouring out from behind the steering wheel. I ran inside a coffee shop for help and they asked if there were flames. I went back out and opened the car door and there was loud noise and the hood was in flames. The entire dash was melted, the hood had a hole burned in it and with the fire rescue interventions the car was a total loss. No one was injured.

Filed Feb 25, 2025 · Electrical · 130,000 miles · IL · fire · 1 injury

The contact owned a 2010 Mini Cooper S Hartop. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH with the two sunroofs open, the vehicle caught fire. There were flames underneath the rear of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact opened the hood and threw baking soda on the flames but sustained burns to her hands and face, and medical attention was provided. The neighbors had used a fire extinguisher to put out the fire. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. The airbags did not deploy. A police report was filed. There was no crash. The vehicle was previously taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the footwell control module. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V337000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. Parts distribution disconnect. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. The insurance deemed the vehicle a total loss.

Filed Nov 2, 2024 · CO

COPY OF COMPLAINT sent to MINI USA today 9/2/24. (Removed my personal data -name, address, email, phone number): I have been waiting since JULY 2023 for notice of a fix for this DANGEROUS ISSUE of failed FOOTWELL MODULES that can CATCH ON FIRE! How is this either legal or humane? When I call, and I call regularly, to ask about any progress made in CORRECTING THE POTENTIALLY FATAL to the driver, problem, I'm asked to BE PATIENT...that a fix is being studied but none has become available. And, oh yes, always the "FOOTWELL FIRES are very very rare"...so I suppose if I have one and I DIE my heirs should take comfort in knowing that it was very very rare? Here's the bottom line. I spoke with a service manager at MINI OF LOVELAND and I will not divulge his name because he doesn't deserve to be reprimanded or hassled. I asked him if they were replacing ANY FOOTWELL MODULES BECAUSE OF THE RECALL. I was given the same BS about "working on creating a part that will fix it". Yeah, right. But here's the jewel in this conversation: When I asked what they'd do if my Footwell module failed for MECHANICAL REASONS he told me and I BELIEVE it's a fix that should be offered to all affected owners: "He told me that when FWMODULES in my make/model/year mini, fail (not catch fire but fail as they normally do - i.e. windows won't go up or down, OR turn signals and or/headlights won't work, etc. the fix for that also address the recall issue: REPLACE THE FOOTWELL WITH THE SAME PART with these modifications to address the corrosion/fire recall: They remove the old broken module. They clean out the entire footwell removing any signs of corrosion from the leaked in water. THEY PACK the module with material that will prevent moisture from seeping in. AND then they close it back up! AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER> I WANT THIS FIX! I deserve this fix as do other mini owners who are affected by this recall to prevent death or severe burns or both from failed footwell modules. THANKS

Filed Sep 15, 2023 · Electrical · CA

My vehicle started smelling intensely like burning plastic which filled the compartment. I brought it immediately to the repair shop. I had it towed in. It was apparent something was on fire. When I got to the repair shop (not mini) the electrical components for the interior, turn signals and windows) had failed and smoldered. There were no warning lights. I was told that there was a recall for the Footwell Module and that this had caused the problem. I never received a letter for the recall. The car is registered in California but was first sold in New York and so it qualifies for the recall but when I look up my VIN it says no recalls. The part has failed, and they have told me they have no replacement part yet so my car is now sitting with a car cover with the windows rolled own because they cannot roll up without the Footwell Module. Mini says they have no solution. I had to buy a new car. This was not an easy expense for me as I have limited income due to a disability.

Filed Jul 19, 2023 · Electrical · 78,000 miles · NY · fire

The contact owned a 2010 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he smelled a burning odor within the interior of the vehicle. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the road, and after visual inspection, he observed flames emanating from the footwell control module. The contact stated that bystanders assisted him in extinguishing the flames. No police or fire reports were filed. No warning lights were illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic; instead, it was towed to the contact's residence, where it remains. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to the federal safety agency Campaign Number 23V337000 (Electrical System), and the VIN was included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,000.

Filed Jan 17, 2012 · Engine · 45,000 miles · GA · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2010 mini cooper. While the vehicle was parked and turned off, there was an explosion under the hood. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed a brown spot on the hood and flames underneath the hood. The fire also spread throughout the vehicle. A police and fire report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and declared destroyed. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000.

Filed Dec 31, 2011 · Engine · LA

My daughter got out the passenger door and walked around to the back of the vehicle to get grocery bags from inside of the trunk area of the hatchback. As she leaned forward to grab bags from inside of the hatchback area which was opened by myself she suddenly was taken back by a stinging feeling on her lower leg. As she started to scream I asked what the problem was. She told be that her leg felt like it was on fire. As I looked down I saw a crescent shaped dark red area on her lower leg that was caused by the tail pipe that protrudes slightly from the bumper. She developed a burn on her lower leg that not only hurt but she is afraid she will leave a scar. This should be corrected in some manner to prevent anyone from suffering from burns either using a heat resistant metal or a shorter tailpipe. Any questions please feel free to call or write [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Sep 26, 2010 · Engine · 475 miles · DC · fire

Vehicle caught fire while parked and unattended for over 7 hours. It was reported to the metropolitan police department under report number 10-140-031. The fire department advised it was mechanical defect.