Mini Cooper SE Recall For Water Leakage In Battery Housing

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Mini is issuing a recall for over 100 units of the 2021-2023 Cooper SE due to a potential issue with the high-voltage battery housing that could allow water ingress. Specifically, this recall affects 128 vehicles in the United States, all manufactured between June 12, 2020, and November 30, 2022.

The problem stems from the assembly process of the high-voltage battery housings, where an insufficient amount of sealing compound might have been used between the two halves of the housing. This inadequate sealing can permit water to seep into the high-voltage battery, leading to serious consequences. Mini explains that water entering the battery can cause an isolation fault, which will be indicated by a warning message to the driver.

If the water intrusion continues, it can lead to multiple isolation failures, potentially causing the vehicle to stall. Furthermore, prolonged exposure to water can result in the high-voltage battery overheating, which could trigger a thermal runaway event even when the vehicle is not in use.

The issue first came to BMW's attention in October 2020, following a thermal event involving a Mini Cooper SE in the United States. A second incident in January this year prompted a thorough investigation, which determined that these thermal events were caused by multiple isolation faults within the high-voltage battery system.

AMini Cooper SE

In response to these findings, Mini began notifying dealerships about the recall on April 29. The company plans to inform affected vehicle owners through first-class mail starting June 21. Dealerships have been instructed to inspect the high-voltage batteries for isolation faults. If any signs of water leakage are detected, the battery will be replaced at no cost to the owner. Mini estimates that around 10% of the recalled vehicles may actually have this issue.

This recall underscores the importance of ensuring the integrity of critical components like high-voltage batteries in electric vehicles. Water intrusion into these systems can not only impair vehicle performance but also pose significant safety risks, including the potential for thermal events. Mini's proactive approach in addressing this issue aims to prevent any further incidents and ensure the safety of its customers.

Owners of the affected Mini Cooper SE models are advised to promptly respond to the recall notice and have their vehicles inspected by authorized Mini dealers. By replacing faulty batteries where necessary, Mini hopes to mitigate the risks associated with this defect and maintain the reliability and safety of their electric vehicle lineup.

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