Bmw Recalls 235000 Minis Worldwide
BMW has issued a recall on 235,000 Mini and Mini Cooper vehicles worldwide due to faulty problems associated with an electric water pump that cools the car's turbocharger.
According to several media sources, the fault is located on a circuit board that has potential to not function correctly, and, as a result, overheat. If this were to occur, it poses a risk of fire.
CBS Newsreported, "In an extreme case this overheating can lead to a smoldering of the water pump and eventually can create a vehicle fire," said BMW spokeswoman Nathalie Bauters.
The recall affects hundreds of thousands of vehicles which were sold globally. Affected vehicles are reported to have been built between March 14, 2006 and January 18, 2011 at U.K. or Austrian factories.
In the U.S. this affects about 89,000 vehicles and 29,868 cars in the UK.
The recalled models include 2007-11 Mini Cooper S; 2008-11 Mini Cooper Clubman; 2009-11 Mini Cooper S Convertible; 2009-11 Mini JCW; 2009-11 Mini JCW Clubman; 2009-11 Mini JCW Convertible; 2011 Mini Cooper S Countryman. Full details on the recall can be found onNSTHA's website.
The fault was found during routine internal quality control and is a voluntary recall.BBC Newsreported, BMW said there was a "very low incidence" of the fault and the Mini vehicles remained safe to drive.
"In more extreme cases, it could create a heat build-up in the wiring and some smouldering. Potentially it could cause a fire," a spokesman said, reported BBC.
Bauters said approximately 12 fires were reported to the U.S. National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA). At this time no accidents or injuries have been attributed to this malfunction in the Mini Cooper cars. When the dozen fires started, the company says the cars were standing still.
Owners will be contacted during the month of February to arrange a fix, the delay is reportedly due to BMW needing to get its supply and repair process in place, reportedAutoGuide.com.
The company says once the repair process is set, that BMW will provide a free water pump and labor to replace the old pump with a new one; the upgrade is estimated to take approximately one hour. In the meantime the company says the cars are safe to drive.
CBS News reported, Keith Crain, editor-in-chief of Automotive News, warned Mini owners to pay attention to this recall, noting 40 percent of people ignore such recalls.
"It's important that people get their cars fixed because they are driving around with something that is considered by the car company and the federal government as a safety related defect," Crain said.
Consumers are being advised they can call BMW, toll-free at 866-275-6464, or visit the NHTSA website atwww.SaferCar.govto obtain more information about this recall.
