BMW Fighting MINI Recall

Sections: R56 (Hatch) | Recalls/Campaigns Dec 10th, 2008 57 Comments

We had to see this coming.

NHTSA announced on Friday that it will hold a public meeting Dec. 17 and take comments until Dec. 12 on its Initial Decision that model year 2007 and certain MY 2008 Mini Cooper S vehicles contain a defect related to motor vehicle safety. Notified of this, BMW said it would not conduct a safety recall and instead has started a service campaign, which NHTSA has rejected, the notice stated.

The alleged defect is in the vehicles’ exhaust pipe tips. NHTSA said its Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) and BMW “have received numerous complaints indicating that consumers’ legs have been burned while they access the rear cargo area of the subject vehicles via the rear hatchback shortly after the vehicles have been driven. As reflected by the complaints, people accessing the cargo area naturally place their legs at the rear of the vehicle. People are burned as they inadvertently contact either of the two hot exhaust pipe tips while removing items from, or placing items in, the rear cargo area. Some of the burn injuries are significant second degree burns, causing blistered skin or scarring, often in a half-moon shape pattern matching the approximately 2 3/4-inch diameter of the exhaust tips.

It would appear that this is an issue for the 2007 and early 2008 R56 MCS.

ODI advised BMW by letter on Oct. 10, 2008, of its belief that the subject vehicles contain a safety-related defect in the exhaust pipe tips within the meaning of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, and there ODI requested BMW to initiate a safety recall, notifying all owners, purchasers, and dealers of the defect and providing a free remedy for each of the subject vehicles. In its Oct. 27, 2008, response, BMW “declined to conduct the safety recall stating it is not warranted and informed NHTSA that, in the interest of customer satisfaction, it had instituted a Service Campaign concerning this issue.”

No need to rehash old news in the comments. But it does look like this is something that your dealer will be taking care for you under warranty. If not now then fairly soon it would seem. Please let us know your experience in the comments.

[ NHTSA, BMW Fighting Over Mini Cooper Recall ] OHSonline.com

Written By: DB

C4

Instead of spending time and money on this silly campaign, I much rather see BMW/MINI recalling their crappola LuK sourced clutch kits and dual mass flywheels which are of the most embarrasing quality ever.

While the Getrag manual gearboxes are top notch, the clutches in these cars are nothing but garbage. I have seen better clutches put on Russian Ladas.

The LuK OEM clutches and FWs are one of the reasons why I will never again purchase another manual transmission equipped MINI or BMW product ever. My next MINI (I do not bloody care what the enthusiasts may think) will be AUTOMATIC. That is right. The Toyota sourced, rock solid AISIN 6-speed auto with paddle shifters is the realible way to go. I no longer want to put up with crappy OEM clutches that don’t last more than 25K miles and glazing/squaling/self destructing dual mass flywheels.

MINIUSA has a “silent” TSB (SI M21 04 08 dated 9/2008) which confirms that the factory R53 S (And it seems prevalent problem on R56 and R55 S as well) flywheel is nothing but CRAP. Solution? Install brand new “revised” flywheel, clutch kit and transmission to engine aligning Dowels.

I am beyond DISGUSTED with the poor durability of OEM MINI clutches and FW’s. Embarrasing MINIUSA beyond belief.

Get your act together with your second rate clutch supplier LuK. Even the Pep Boys parts counter guys laugh at the poor quality of LuK parts.

This is where the REAL recall should be happening.

Afert my MINI Extended contract expires, My R53 S will be fitted with quality aftermarket clutch and flywheel.
Former Owner

I owned a 2003 Cooper. Great car. My wife received a nasty burn, which blistered and left a permanent scar on her calf as she loaded up the hatch area. There was nothing funny about it. Sure she knew that tailpipes can be hot. However, the Cooper’s (this is not just an issue on the ‘S’)pipes stick out further than most cars, perhaps further than they need to.

I have a Miata now – not an issue, as they sit well enough behind the plane of the bumper to be a concern. It’s not an issue on most cars. BMW/MINI should just fix it (recall or service bulletin – I don’t care). If owners decline it because they like the cool way it looks – fine. Then THEY don’t get to complain. Other folks – it’s a legitimate gripe – not something to sue over, but a gripe nonetheless.
dbhouston

I was scheduled to appear at that meeting. NHTSA told me this morning that BMW North America has agreed to the safety recall so there will be no public hearing. Glad that BMW is finally stepping up to the plate and doing what it should. It is a relatively few number of cars and quick, inexpensive fix. I wish it had been done before my seven year old burned herself trying to help with the groceries.
JonPD

Still fail to understand why a recall was called for since Mini Dealers have been doing a great job contacting people about the very well advertised service campaign.

I am sorry for those that have been burned on the tail pipes, guess it explains why auto-up windows are never going to be offered. Now this has been addressed maybe everybody that has been injured by catching fingers in doors should get a recall to redesign this unsafe entry, maybe then we can get a recall for all of us that have mashed our hands while working on our cars. Then finally they can make sure to put a speed limiter on all our cars since high speed accidents injure so many. What do you think 10 or 15mph?

Not precisely humored on all the tax dollars spent to make Mini fix what it was already fixing.
b4mmy

only in america… etc.
John
I have owned multiple motorcycles over the course of 20 some years, and managed never to burn myself on the exhaust pipes and they are FAR move open then on the Mini…
- John
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