The National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) announced that it has opened a preliminary investigation on the Mini Cooper S from the 2007-2008MY for engine fires.
In a posting on its website, the NHTSA said it received 12 complaints of engine compartment fire in the affected models.
Eight owners allege that the fire in the engine compartment started while the cars were parked and the ignition key removed, while five complaints said that the Minis were engulfed in flames and the incidents resulted in total vehicle loss.
If the NHTSA’s investigation results in a vehicle recall, it will affect approximately 36,000 cars that have been sold in the U.S. So far, there are no injuries or fatalities related to the fires.
