[Car & Driver] BMW Recalls 12,535 Electric Mini Coopers Due to Faulty Batteries

Recall documents show that 2020–2024 Cooper SE models were produced with battery components that may not have been up to production specifications.
By Jack Fitzgerald Published: Aug 30, 2024

• BMW issued a recall on 12,535 Mini Cooper SE electric models due to an issue involving the battery system.
• According to recall documents, the affected cars may have been produced outside of standard production specifications.
• As a result, a short circuit may occur in the battery or high-voltage system, which increases the chance of starting a fire.

BMW is recalling 12,535 Mini Cooper SE electric models whose batteries were produced in a manner that may be outside of standard production specifications. According to recall documents, a fault may occur in the battery or high-voltage system of affected cars, which could lead to a fire.

Documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that faults in the battery system can lead to the battery overheating. The documents also show that thermal issues can occur even when the vehicle is stopped and parked.



The recall population includes 2020 to 2024 models, and owners will be asked to bring their cars to an authorized dealership that will install a software update. The update includes a diagnostic function that can detect a malfunction in the high-voltage system and then discharge the battery below the 30 percent state-of-charge battery-emergency mode.

BMW notified dealers of the issue in mid-August, with owner notification planned to take place on October 7. Impacted owners will be instructed to schedule an appointment with their authorized dealer who will perform the fix for free—though if their battery short-circuits before the recall, it would be covered under the MINI New Vehicle Limited Warranty program. Owners can check the NHTSA recalls website to see if their vehicle is part of the recall.

 

My 2022 Cooper SE had this update done last week. According to my SA my car was the first one they were doing. It took about an hour.
However, I have noticed that the maximum rate I can charge using my Level Two ChargePoint is now only 32a...down from 40a. My wife's BMW EV is not affected and still accepts 40a, so it's not the charging equipment. Despite the SE's onboard setting telling me it's set to charge at "maximum" (and I've toggled this a coupe of times from "reduced") I have to believe the update is to blame.
Anyone else having this issue?

 

The max charge rate has always been 32A.

 

Thanks for pointing that out. For the last two years I thought I was getting all 40.