Small, sporty cars like the Mini Cooper S are commonly referred to as “hot hatches,” but we’re not sure the British brand really would want that designation right now. This month, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened up an investigation for Mini Cooper S models to potentially self-combust. Really.
Reports circulating through the NHTSA show that there have been 12 complaints of fires starting from the engine bay the turbocharged subcompact. What’s more frustrating about the whole debacle is that in eight of the instances, the engine was turned off completely.
As the NHTSA researches the problem and tries to find a potential fix for it, there lies a potential that a recall could affect as many as 36,000 Mini Cooper S models from the 2007 and 2008 model years. The NHTSA is investigating all models with the turbocharged 1.6-liter engine 4-cylinder engine from those years, including the hatchback, long-wheelbase Clubman, and convertible “S” models, to see whether or not the fire reports are isolated incidents.
Of the 12 cases reported, no injuries were involved. The NHTSA opened its investigation of the Mini Cooper S on Oct. 11. We’ll keep you posted if the NHTSA files an official recall for the car.
Source: Detroit Free Press
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