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BMW of North America, LLC, has initiated a recall for certain 2021-2023 MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper SE) vehicles due to a risk of water intrusion that could potentially affect the high voltage battery’s functionality. This recall concerns vehicles where the high-voltage battery housing might not have been sealed adequately, posing a risk of water entering the battery compartment.
Key Highlights:
- Recall Scope: Approximately 128 units of the MINI Hardtop 2 Door Cooper SE are affected.
- Risk to Safety: Potential for vehicle stalling or, in rare instances, a thermal event due to water damage leading to multiple isolation faults.
- Remedy: Dealers will conduct inspections and, if necessary, repair the battery housing free of charge.
- Owner Notification: Scheduled for June 21, 2024. Vehicle owners can contact BMW customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
Detailed Recall Information: The specific issue involves an insufficient sealing application on the high voltage battery during assembly, identified primarily in vehicles produced between June 12, 2020, and November 30, 2022. This defect could result in critical isolation faults if water permeates the battery housing, leading to potential vehicle malfunctions or safety hazards.
Chronology of Events:
- October 2023: Initial field incident reported in the U.S., leading to an immediate engineering analysis by BMW.
- January 2024: A similar incident in Germany prompted further investigations, confirming the isolation faults.
- March 2024: Analysis indicated a high likelihood that thermal events were triggered by these isolation faults.
- April 2024: Decision to launch a recall after identifying issues with the battery housing’s sealing process.
Safety and Repair Measures: Owners of the affected vehicles will be notified to bring their vehicles to an authorized dealer. The dealer will perform a leak test and inspect for any signs of water ingress. Any identified issues will be addressed by repairing the battery housing to prevent future risk. This service will be provided at no cost to the vehicle owners.
BMW emphasizes the importance of addressing this recall promptly to ensure the safety and proper functioning of the affected vehicles. Further information can be accessed via the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or their website at www.nhtsa.gov.
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