mini cooper spontaneously goes on fire April 29, 2006
Neutral
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
2007 Cooper S fire
My car yesterday was declared a complete total by AAA insurance adjuster. I don't know where in the engine compartment it originated yet. They are investigating and are going to legally go after BMW/mini for the settlement.
My main concern is based on this website and others, there appear to be many more instances of this happening to others as well. I fear there will be a fatality if not corrected and mine is the latest year I have seen this reported happening with with the new R56 design.
My car was completely melted from the dash forward. All engine components that were plastic are gone. Engine is completely useless. My garage is a total loss and everything in it was melted or burned. Luckily I was in my home at the time and not asleep or I fear the worst if that would have been the case.
My main concern is based on this website and others, there appear to be many more instances of this happening to others as well. I fear there will be a fatality if not corrected and mine is the latest year I have seen this reported happening with with the new R56 design.
My car was completely melted from the dash forward. All engine components that were plastic are gone. Engine is completely useless. My garage is a total loss and everything in it was melted or burned. Luckily I was in my home at the time and not asleep or I fear the worst if that would have been the case.
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 397
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay Area
2005 MCS. 63,000 miles. October 22, 2009. I had just gotten home from work and parked in the garage. Going in the house I smelled something burning. After a couple minutes of investigating in the house, I decided to go back into the garage, and find that it is a little smokey. Open the garage door and back the Mini out onto the driveway. Now there is smoke streaming from under the hood. I can hear spinning/clicking noises coming from the engine compartment. Open the hood and see flames coming out of the back of the engine, below the exhaust manifold.
I emptied 3 fire extinguishers into the engine bay and it was still burning. Called 911. By the time the fire department came, the fire had burned itself out. I was extremely fortunate that I went back into the garage within minutes to investigate, otherwise it could've been a huge car fire and potentially fire damage to the garage and house as well.
Will be calling insurance and Mini tomorrow.
I emptied 3 fire extinguishers into the engine bay and it was still burning. Called 911. By the time the fire department came, the fire had burned itself out. I was extremely fortunate that I went back into the garage within minutes to investigate, otherwise it could've been a huge car fire and potentially fire damage to the garage and house as well.
Will be calling insurance and Mini tomorrow.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas
Hey longtime user of this wonderful site. First time posting. I own a 2007 MCS with 36,000 miles. I took a 5 minute drive to my local library yesterday and returned home to park my totally stock vehicle in the garage which is attached to the house.
I sat in my kitchen for 5 minutes after I parked car and smelled burning and saw smoke out my window of kitchen.
I ran into garage and my whole hood of the mini was engulfed in flames. I quickly tried to put out with hose in garage and it was no use. I grabbed dog and phone out of the house and called 911. By the time the FD arrived and put out the fire, the car is completely wasted. Engine compartment is a charred mess. All plastic from the doors forward is completely melted. Glass shattered, front end is completely melted away. I believe car is a total loss as the dash, parts of seats and tires are melted.
luckily the house survived but my garage is a total loss and needs to be gutted.
I write this to warn others. I have no idea what caused this but was shocked to see others expereince this on this site. Any advice on what to do with BMW when I finally get insurance settlement? I am very dismayed and pissed off but would like to know if there is a class action suit going on or other means.
I loved my car and had much fun but I am having a hard time convincing myself to get another. If this happened at night with my family sleeping rather my kids being at school and wife at work during the day it could have been deadly.
I sat in my kitchen for 5 minutes after I parked car and smelled burning and saw smoke out my window of kitchen.
I ran into garage and my whole hood of the mini was engulfed in flames. I quickly tried to put out with hose in garage and it was no use. I grabbed dog and phone out of the house and called 911. By the time the FD arrived and put out the fire, the car is completely wasted. Engine compartment is a charred mess. All plastic from the doors forward is completely melted. Glass shattered, front end is completely melted away. I believe car is a total loss as the dash, parts of seats and tires are melted.
luckily the house survived but my garage is a total loss and needs to be gutted.
I write this to warn others. I have no idea what caused this but was shocked to see others expereince this on this site. Any advice on what to do with BMW when I finally get insurance settlement? I am very dismayed and pissed off but would like to know if there is a class action suit going on or other means.
I loved my car and had much fun but I am having a hard time convincing myself to get another. If this happened at night with my family sleeping rather my kids being at school and wife at work during the day it could have been deadly.
3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
From: Northern VA
This thread is definitely something to be aware of and I am trying to figure out what to take from it. I think it is normal especially when it is hot outside for the fan to run on high for 30 seconds or so after the engine is shut off. So...was it that the fan kept on running ? That is what seems to be the case. If so, then what is normal on say the worst hot day scenario ? The fan should run not longer than 1 minute and then shut down ? If it is prolonged running of the fan that leads to most of these issues, so then I guess it means to be on the safe side, we need to be a little bit more aware and listening for the fan shutting down ? I know the fan on my MINI usually shuts down by the time I open the garage side door to get into my house. Can't say that I am always cognizant that the fan has shut down before leaving the garage.
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 65
Likes: 1
Global MINI warming
I am as quick as anyone here to rise in righteous and impassioned defense of our beloved MINIs from unjustified and uninformed and maybe even partisan jealous criticism; but it amuses me to see the knee-jerk defenders on this issue, who should be called MINI Warming Deniers perhaps. What part of incineration and burning doesn't rise to your standard of dangerous, guys?
These posts here just make me realize how damned lucky I was, my 03 MCS overheated on the way to the dealer, they told me the harness was actually melted. Same harness as cooling fan; in other threads people have been warned to fix it 'cause it might cause engine overheating...I would suggest a broader perspective, fix it to avoid wholesale toasting! I thought their replacement harness fixed the problem, but since this thread includes 08s something important hasn't been addressed properly. You'd think they wouldn't play games with this one. Yeah, it's real, guys. Shall we blame victims for getting hot under the collar, say, and suggest that their reports of combustion have been greatly exaggerated? I've got a weather report; periods of fun and faultless motoring with occasional MINIcineration and scattered total ignition. High temperatures possible, although considered unlikely by some.
These posts here just make me realize how damned lucky I was, my 03 MCS overheated on the way to the dealer, they told me the harness was actually melted. Same harness as cooling fan; in other threads people have been warned to fix it 'cause it might cause engine overheating...I would suggest a broader perspective, fix it to avoid wholesale toasting! I thought their replacement harness fixed the problem, but since this thread includes 08s something important hasn't been addressed properly. You'd think they wouldn't play games with this one. Yeah, it's real, guys. Shall we blame victims for getting hot under the collar, say, and suggest that their reports of combustion have been greatly exaggerated? I've got a weather report; periods of fun and faultless motoring with occasional MINIcineration and scattered total ignition. High temperatures possible, although considered unlikely by some.
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 65
Likes: 1
Also
People also need to be aware it's not just listening for the fan running on and on, it's listening to whether it runs at all! I believe I bought my 03 with harness already melted since when it was replaced and radiator fan came on I had never heard that sound before! I'm guessing moderate temps and hiway driving kept it from overheating, until I got in a traffic jam.
Neutral
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
2007 Cooper S Fire
Just a note as a follow up to the above posts. Mine was a coupe not a convertible. I also wanted to state I emphatically loved my cooper. It was the most enjoyable car I have ever owned and I stand by that. I just don't want a fatality to happen to anyone. Based on the high number of incidents on this site alone, I feel there is still a design issue going on with electrical or fuel system, etc.
I don't have deep enough pockets to sue MIni USA/BMW but something needs to force a correction of this obvious problem. If I knew this issue was rectified, I would buy another in a heartbeat, however I need to be shown the work that will be done to correct it.
I don't have deep enough pockets to sue MIni USA/BMW but something needs to force a correction of this obvious problem. If I knew this issue was rectified, I would buy another in a heartbeat, however I need to be shown the work that will be done to correct it.
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA
Wow, this certainly has me scared. I noticed the other day that when I cut my car off, the PS motor still runs, a real high-pitched tone. I can turn the wheel, and still hear it. I e-mailed a video of it to Dan at Grassroots Garage who identified it as so. Previously, it was just an inconvenience, as it ran down my battery, but now I am worried about my MINI burning to the ground until I get the $700+ to get it fixed. Yowza.
4th Gear
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 375
Likes: 1
From: Ontario
My 2009 MCS spontaneously burnt to death on the weekend. Electrical fire is suspected. I am wonder how everyone else made out? Did MINI replace your vehicle? Did your insurance company sue MINI? My car was not running when it burnt. I had driven it 20km to the local mall to purchase a gift for my dads birthday and for fathers day.
Scary stuff.
Scary stuff.
Neutral
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Fire down below!!!!!
My 2009 MCS spontaneously burnt to death on the weekend. Electrical fire is suspected. I am wonder how everyone else made out? Did MINI replace your vehicle? Did your insurance company sue MINI? My car was not running when it burnt. I had driven it 20km to the local mall to purchase a gift for my dads birthday and for fathers day.
Scary stuff.
Scary stuff.
Mini treated me and the issue like garbage in my opinion. They said the best they can do is give me 5% off sticker for a new one.
My brother in law who is a lawyer who fights this kind of stuff against large corporations advised me not to sue saying I don't have the deep pockets to take on BMW. I did get a complete settlement from my insurance and they have told me if they sue which is unlikely I can be a part of their suit. Not only did I lose my car which I loved very much, but my garage completely burned to the studs and caused much inconvenience for my family. My house is just now 9 months later back to its original condition.
I have counted many cases of this happening. Sounds suspicioulsy like the engine cooling fan as I think that may have caused mine. I would love to get a class action suit going but don't know if there are enough interest parties that this has happened to. I have given NHTSA all the details and continue to suffer as a result of the fire to this day. Sadly, I will never buy another one based on how I was treated and I play in a band and get home late on gig days. What if I was snoozing away at 3 am and the fire went up with my family in the house. Yikes. Let me know what you are going to do going forward. BTW, mine occured last October of 2009.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,330
Likes: 0
From: VA Beach
Neutral
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Further action
Anyone reading this thread really needs to go over to the other fire thread here and report any fires you have to NHTSA, and show that thread to your insurance company. There are way more than enough fires in MINIs to start a class action suit. I don't know why it hasn't been done yet.
I have registered with NHTSA and they have my information. I don't believe this incident is strictly gen 1 as I have seen a few incidents and just got a repsonse from a 2009 owner that had the exact same thing happen to his.
I don't know if you have ever just googled mini cooper engine fire but try it sometime and you will see other responses like I did aside from the fine information here at NAM. I can't get my car back but I hope this will drive a permanent corrective fix at Mini for the problem(s) associated with this.
Neutral
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Another crispy Mini!
My wife sent me a pic of a burning Mini in her work parking lot this morning at LexisNexis South of Dayton, OH. It's not her Mini, but its' got me nervous since our garage is attached to the house.
Added pic to thread: Spontaneous engine bay fires!
Added pic to thread: Spontaneous engine bay fires!
Last edited by mjp103; Mar 31, 2011 at 11:37 AM. Reason: added pic to other thread
1st Gear
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
MINI fire
My 2007 mini cooper spontaniously caught fire on 5/27/11 It is CHARCOAL! Email me for pictures and details. I don't think that they leave much to forward or reply to on this sight....they are Cooper connected. Tell me YOUR story. karen1022@twcny.rr.com
Neutral
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2004 Mini Cooper explodes in fire and kills woman driver
I read all the incidents abouts Mini Coopers catching fire spontaneously in this article after my life changed forever on Sept. 6, 2019. We, my wife and I, owned a pristine 2004 Mini Cooper with 133,000 miles which we purchased barnd new in 2004. It was my wife's car which she dearly loved to drive. I lost my wife this day! She was driving her Mini home from the dentist traveling up a steep mountain roadway at no more than 15 mph and for no known reason the vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree with the front bumper; bounced backwards and blew up in an explosion of flames, thus killing her in a fully engulfed fire. Her remains had to be identified by dental records and the Mini was completely destroyed. The accident is currently under investigation by the state police. Now you've heard first hand that someone was killed in a Mini exploding into fire. For God's sake please share this with anyone driving a Mini Cooper.
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 202
Likes: 51
From: Midwest USA
I read all the incidents abouts Mini Coopers catching fire spontaneously in this article after my life changed forever on Sept. 6, 2019. We, my wife and I, owned a pristine 2004 Mini Cooper with 133,000 miles which we purchased barnd new in 2004. It was my wife's car which she dearly loved to drive. I lost my wife this day! She was driving her Mini home from the dentist traveling up a steep mountain roadway at no more than 15 mph and for no known reason the vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree with the front bumper; bounced backwards and blew up in an explosion of flames, thus killing her in a fully engulfed fire. Her remains had to be identified by dental records and the Mini was completely destroyed. The accident is currently under investigation by the state police. Now you've heard first hand that someone was killed in a Mini exploding into fire. For God's sake please share this with anyone driving a Mini Cooper.
Thanks to reading this site, when my power steering pump failed (was running constantly with key off) I disconnected the battery and pulled the 100 A power steering fuse. Then I drove without power steering for a week until I could get the recall taken care of by the dealer.
Neutral
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Mini Cooper S 2006 Went up in smoke
There certainly does seem to be a trend. Our 2006 went up in smoke as well, we were flat towing behind our RV. Yes, it was in neutral, and the key was in the accessory position, the fuse for ignition pulled, emergency brake was off. We do a check before pulling out. It was 10 minutes into the trip, and I saw smoke billowing, stopped our motorhome and the mini engine was engulfed in flames. The back of our motorhome was damaged as well, but we were safe and sound. This does not seem like a coincidence at all. Horrifying to see.
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