How can I tell if this affects my MINI? - a burning plastic smell, and/or smoke from the front of the vehicle.
The problem has occurred on models that have with the N14 engine with the electric auxiliary water pump.
When the motor is off, the electric auxiliary water pump (controlled electronically by an engine control unit) conducts heat away from the turbocharger, and this is where the pump’s electronic circuit board malfunction can occur. There is a small chance that the circuit board can fail after the water pump fails leading to smoldering of the water pump and engine compartment fire.
MINI Cooper S models affected:
2007-11 / Cooper S (Dec 2006 – Oct 2010)2008-11 / Cooper S Clubman (Dec 2007 – Oct 2010)
2009-11 / Cooper S Convertible (Dec 2008 – Oct 2010)
2009-11 / John Cooper Works (JCW) (Jun 2008 – Oct 2010)
2009-11 / John Cooper Works (JCW) Clubman (Jun 2008 – Oct 2010)
2009-11 / John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible (Apr 2009 – Oct 2010)
2011 / Cooper S Countryman (Nov 2010 – Jan 2011)
What to do next?
Continue to drive your mini, but MINI advises keeping your vehicle outdoors until repairs have been done.
Owners affected cars will get a recall letter asking them to have this service done by their authorized MINI dealer, do so as soon as possible.
Other Information:
- MINI is fixing all cars in its inventory and will be announcing a formal recall shortly.
- Any new or pre-owned MINI in dealers inventory will be held until the recall can be completed, but customer cars are not yet being held and the recall repair will not be happening until the service bulletin is released.
- The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation into the cars after 12 engine fires had been reported including five that destroyed the cars entirely.
