BMW issues worldwide recall for electric MINI Cooper SE

The recall affects South African cars and the defect will be repaired for free

03 September 2024 - 08:38
By Reuters and Motoring Staff
Problems in the battery system can lead to overheating.
Image: Denis Droppa Problems in the battery system can lead to overheating.

German carmaker BMW is recalling electric MINI Cooper SE vehicles due to problems in their batteries which could potentially affect more than 140,000 units worldwide, a company spokesperson told Reuters on Monday.

Around 39,000 vehicles could be affected in Germany, the company said in a statement, adding there are no known accidents or injuries in this context.

Problems in the battery system can lead to overheating.

"A vehicle fire, even when the vehicle is parked, cannot be ruled out," the statement said.

The software of the car contains a diagnostic function that recognises a malfunction of the battery and alerts the driver. Customers who received the message are asked to visit a Mini partner, the company said.

BMW South Africa has confirmed the global recall affects Cooper SE models of the third generation MINI launched in 2020, internally known as the F56, and has issued the following statement:

"Customers who receive a letter or message in this context in their vehicle or who are also shown the corresponding check control message should therefore contact their MINI service partner immediately.

"The software of the affected vehicles is being updated. This software includes a diagnostic function that reliably detects a malfunction of the high-voltage battery (in the high-voltage system) and then discharges the battery to such an extent (below 30% state of charge, emergency HV battery operation) to prevent the start of a fire reliably. The customer is then asked to visit a MINI partner. There the defect will be repaired free of charge for the customer."