NHTSA Complaint #10225910 — 2004 MINI COOPER

I HAD DRIVEN 2004 MINI FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTE, THEN PARKED IT IN DRIVEWAY. WITHIN 15 MINUTES I LOOKED OVER TO SEE SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I OPENED THE COMPARTMENT AND GOT HELP. WE PUSHED IT INTO A NEARBY FIELD AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPT. IF IT HAD STAYED IN THE DRIVE, IT WOULD HAVE ALSO IGNITED 2 CARS, THE HOUSE AND A BOAT. WHO KNOW ABOUT PEOPLE AND ANIMALS. I ALMOST GOT RUN OVER TRYING TO STOP THE MINI AS IT WAS PUSHED. AFTER THE CAR WAS OUT, WE HAD IT TOWED TO INSKIP AUTO IN WARWICK RI. JEOF SAID AT FIRST IT WAS A POWER STEERING HOSE THAT BURST AND GOT ON THE HOT EXHAUST...IGNITING. AFTER LOOKING AT IT FURTHER AND WITH METLIFE INSURANCE AGENT, THEY THOUGHT IT WAS THE POWER STEERING FAN AND PUMP FAILURE. THIS OVERHEATED THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS, TO START THE ELECTRICAL FIRE. NEITHER THE INSURANCE NOR INSKIP FELT IT WAS COVERED BY THEM. I AM TO PAY $2,600. TODAY WHEN IT PICK IT UP. THIS COVERS LABOR, A POWER STEERING PUMP, FAN AND HARNESS. I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET TO UPSETTING TO ME AND FIND AT LEAST 250 POSTED MINI'S WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW MINI DOES NOT HAVE TO RECALL IT. ARE THEY WAITING FOR JUST AS MANY DEATHS? *TR