NHTSA Complaint #11538090 — 2013 MINI COOPER

In July 2023, a recall letter I received from MINI states a defective Footwell Control Module “could potentially result in a short circuit, resulting in a potential thermal event which could increase the risk of a fire or injury.” It also states “a remedy is currently being developed.” I called the local MINI dealer service department, and that department had never heard of the defect or the recall, sending me in to MINI Customer Relations. The gentlemen I spoke with said he thought the car was safe to drive (nowhere mentioned in the letter), and he could not offer anything in writing to back-up his claim. When I said what if there is a fire in the car, he suggested I “evacuate the vehicle.” I asked for a loaner since I was and still am concerned the car is not in fact safe to drive without an official written confirmation from MINI explaining why and how MINI knows my affected car is safe to drive in light of “increased risk of a fire or injury” identified in the recall letter. He could not answer and sent me on to MINI’s “Executive Office.” I received a call from Alyssa in that office who confirmed that no loaner or alternative transportation would be provided and who offered no other solution beyond another assurance the car was safe to drive despite the specific reference to increased “risk of fire or injury” in the recall letter. Again, no supporting information was provided for that claim, so I remain uncertain as to the safety of my vehicle and will not drive it without a remedy. I offered to have MINI buy back the car if they are so sure it is safe since I will not try to sell the car to anyone else under the circumstances. Since then, nothing whatsoever has happened and my car just sits idle. Surely there is some remedy available for this sort of callous disregard of customer safety and lack of any remedy about a safety issue that MINI itself has acknowledged. I am hoping your office can help me get this resolved quickly.