Thanks for this great, informative video. We just received notice last week of the recall on our 2022 SE. We feel the same as you…love the car….but worried now!
The mini that suffered the thermal event in the US was my car...thankfully it was at the dealership and not my house. The car threw a code about the high voltage battery and it is why I took it to the dealership.
i got a 2020 model in and i have parked this car in my garage for over 2 months now because i do not have my driver license😂 thank you for this video. i am now gonna take it to bmw this week.
Thanks for this video. I am in a wet climate area and lease a mini ev. Got a call today from my local mini dealer to book the car in for a "programming control unit" update. No mention of fire risk but i sure will be asking more questions.
Got my recall completed. I was handed a letter to say that going forward, a fire cannot be ruled out and that the battery will deplete to below 30% if it detects a battery fault like you said in your video. I fail to see how a software update can fix a physical battery seal problem. The “software” update to me is nothing more than a potential smoke alarm. I now have zero confidence in the car. I won’t have it much longer.
Let's be glad the automotive industry has learned from the pinto, and the Toyota and Audi unintended acceleration and are trying to be active in preventing any further incidents
I'm not as worried.. I own a 2023 Mini SE - and I think more fires would have happened by now but for sure I'll make an appointment when I can. I don't drive very much and I only have rougly 4,000 miles on my car but I live in a desert climate in Utah but it does snow but I only drive local and zero freeway and I baby it but we don't deal with rust which I'm guessing this is probably a factor. Anyway great car... thanks for the video.
Hi, I'm based in Germany and actually learned about the issue by accident: My 2020 SE was due for the 4-year inspection service last month and when I took it to the dealership, they told me about the recall and the required reprogramming of the control unit. By that time, the recall was barely a week old. Interestingly here in Germany there are no mentions of not parking your car in your garage, not even in the official BMW bulletin, which both the dealership's rep and myself read together. They did the software update prior doing the inspection and I didn't notice anything different so far. There are a few things which are bothering me though: Just yesterday I got an e-mail from my dealership telling me about the recall and that my car's VIN is affected and I should get an appointment for the update - even though it has been updated more than three weeks ago. Besides I am not sure if that software update is an actual "fix" for the issue, as it clearly seems to be hardware related and that software update merely tries reducing the risk by giving an ahead warning. What happens if the control unit actually triggers and starts discharging the battery? Sure the battery has an eight year warranty, but my car is already four years old, what happens if that warning triggers just a month after warranty expired? Will Mini/BMW charge a full change of the battery pack? While I don't own a house, I live in an apartment complex and my car is parked right inbetween my neighbor's cars, since the recall started getting media attention, I am just waiting to get any comments about parking a "ticking time bomb" beside their vehicles. Personally I am rather relaxed about the issue to be honest and simply drive and enjoy my SE just as I did before. I just wish Mini would be more open about the whole topic, as again I have some doubts a software update will fix a hardware related issue.
Same 2023 mini Se owner. I have this software appointment on thursday, I noticed corrosion and rusting near trunk, I wonder if it's related. This badboy is going to be park on the street until then. I wonder insurance wise who would be responsible if it catches fire, mini or insurance. One last thought, I am concerned that this recall has been up since August 2024 and I just found out from the new two days ago... Sept 5 2024.
So sad since this is hands down the most normal looking EV, I personally just want a normal looking city/town car that’s electric. I guess they’re not releasing the new one in US til 2026. Glad you’re showing light on this as automakers can be lazy with fixes without publicity.
@@logicalratio fitting a larger pack or chemistry change is easier said than done. There is physically no room for a larger pack or adding more cells. Chemistry change is possible but that’s unlikely to happen from the OEM given failure rates are so low. Who knows what will Happen. Sorta worked out well with Chevy Bolts
@@simplygregsterev I was not asking about a larger physical size as that seems impossible/self-evident but yes, the market is changing fast along with the technology while costs come down. This model is just too close to my lowest limit to consider and a 20/25% density increase (upgrade) would be perfect. Cheers
i3 owner here, I regret hearing news like this. its unfortunate. I hope that the issue gets remedied, aren't they able to take an existing pack and stress it to find it... I thought mini batteries were manufactured in Dingolfing Germany
It was 128 per my NHTSA recall letter. 😮 at this point I am probably going to trade in or sell it if I ever get it back (they have had it a month). This has been the absolute worst customer service experience of my life so not feeling confident in being the first repair attempt. I hate it because I loved it.
@@simplygregsterev I just figured how to reply TO you. 😂 Any recommendations on another small EV to buy? The Fiat seems too small and I worry about its reliability but I like its look the best. I am thinking it is between the Hyundai Kona or the Nissan Ariya. Nissan has a long history with the Leaf. The Kona is a bit smaller. 🤷🏻♀️ I don’t love the looks of any of my options especially the pedestrian killing truck fronts of the SUV options (IMO).
I just went this morning as well for the recall. Only software update, they did not even inspect the battery and when I asked about replacing it, the guy at the dealership told me that there is no plan. It seems that if your battery is indeed defective, the update will stop the car to burn in a ball of fire but only then they will replace it. Pretty disappointed with the overall handling of the situation.
@@simplygregsterev My understanding is that unless BMW plans a massive battery replacement campaign (pretty improbable given the number of car affected worldwide, the materials needed, and obviously the financial impact), for now they just add the update to make sure the battery is "safe" and if a problem arise you can still drive the car to the dealership to have it replaced. But if you are taking a trip and you get the error message... thanks BMW
Here's the news: All EV's have a battery problem. That's because they are managed by software. Now as a Software Engineer with over 35 years of experience, I can tell you that if you have ever written more than one line of code there will be a defect in it. Some defects will be insignificant, but many of them won't. You've just hit one that isn't. Welcome to the wonderfull world of software!
Thanks for this great, informative video. We just received notice last week of the recall on our 2022 SE. We feel the same as you…love the car….but worried now!
@@Itsduggan what’s interesting? Is there’s about 150 cars at suffer from the corrosion and they’re already pressure testing the batteries.
Relax my friend and no need to panic, I have a 2023 version of this car and I am not worried. I have almost 18000 miles on mine and zero issues.
No Panic. Just concern
@ I am not, but to each his own.
The mini that suffered the thermal event in the US was my car...thankfully it was at the dealership and not my house. The car threw a code about the high voltage battery and it is why I took it to the dealership.
@@heyitsstrange great to know!
Sorry to hear that. What was the outcome? Car replacement or cash payment? I'm starting to worry about mine now.
@ I wouldn’t worry tbh there has only be 2 reported cases in the US they gave me money towards a new car it was a very annoying process tbh
i got a 2020 model in and i have parked this car in my garage for over 2 months now because i do not have my driver license😂 thank you for this video. i am now gonna take it to bmw this week.
Enjoy it
Thanks for this video. I am in a wet climate area and lease a mini ev. Got a call today from my local mini dealer to book the car in for a "programming control unit" update. No mention of fire risk but i sure will be asking more questions.
Im picking up my car from the dealer today. They did the programming. I was told the fire risk wasnt mentioned in the USA recall document
Got my recall completed. I was handed a letter to say that going forward, a fire cannot be ruled out and that the battery will deplete to below 30% if it detects a battery fault like you said in your video. I fail to see how a software update can fix a physical battery seal problem. The “software” update to me is nothing more than a potential smoke alarm. I now have zero confidence in the car. I won’t have it much longer.
@@mi5utc we are sorta on the same boat and the older they get the less likely they will replace the battery. Once the lease is over its gone
Let's be glad the automotive industry has learned from the pinto, and the Toyota and Audi unintended acceleration and are trying to be active in preventing any further incidents
Better to be safe than sorry!
That sucks, but on the bright side, you may bee able to update the batteries to ge mor miles out of a charge.
I'm not as worried.. I own a 2023 Mini SE - and I think more fires would have happened by now but for sure I'll make an appointment when I can. I don't drive very much and I only have rougly 4,000 miles on my car but I live in a desert climate in Utah but it does snow but I only drive local and zero freeway and I baby it but we don't deal with rust which I'm guessing this is probably a factor. Anyway great car... thanks for the video.
My car is driven in the winter and exposed to road salt ☹️
Hi, I'm based in Germany and actually learned about the issue by accident: My 2020 SE was due for the 4-year inspection service last month and when I took it to the dealership, they told me about the recall and the required reprogramming of the control unit. By that time, the recall was barely a week old. Interestingly here in Germany there are no mentions of not parking your car in your garage, not even in the official BMW bulletin, which both the dealership's rep and myself read together.
They did the software update prior doing the inspection and I didn't notice anything different so far. There are a few things which are bothering me though:
Just yesterday I got an e-mail from my dealership telling me about the recall and that my car's VIN is affected and I should get an appointment for the update - even though it has been updated more than three weeks ago. Besides I am not sure if that software update is an actual "fix" for the issue, as it clearly seems to be hardware related and that software update merely tries reducing the risk by giving an ahead warning. What happens if the control unit actually triggers and starts discharging the battery? Sure the battery has an eight year warranty, but my car is already four years old, what happens if that warning triggers just a month after warranty expired? Will Mini/BMW charge a full change of the battery pack?
While I don't own a house, I live in an apartment complex and my car is parked right inbetween my neighbor's cars, since the recall started getting media attention, I am just waiting to get any comments about parking a "ticking time bomb" beside their vehicles. Personally I am rather relaxed about the issue to be honest and simply drive and enjoy my SE just as I did before. I just wish Mini would be more open about the whole topic, as again I have some doubts a software update will fix a hardware related issue.
I have my doubts as well. Thanks for the reply
Same 2023 mini Se owner. I have this software appointment on thursday, I noticed corrosion and rusting near trunk, I wonder if it's related. This badboy is going to be park on the street until then. I wonder insurance wise who would be responsible if it catches fire, mini or insurance.
One last thought, I am concerned that this recall has been up since August 2024 and I just found out from the new two days ago... Sept 5 2024.
@@cuchooo people are finding out via online
So sad since this is hands down the most normal looking EV, I personally just want a normal looking city/town car that’s electric. I guess they’re not releasing the new one in US til 2026. Glad you’re showing light on this as automakers can be lazy with fixes without publicity.
It’s also the best car I’ve ever owned.
You only have to park outside if you experience a fault and you see a warning message.
I'm in Korea. The BMW dealer is picking up my electric Mini tonight for the recall and will (supposedly) return it tomorrow. Yay.
Hey, what are the prospects of replacing the stock battery with a larger range one? Any one here looking in to this?
@@logicalratio Precisely 0%
@@simplygregsterev Thanks, I will stay clear of a picking up a used one then.
Cheers
@@logicalratio fitting a larger pack or chemistry change is easier said than done. There is physically no room for a larger pack or adding more cells. Chemistry change is possible but that’s unlikely to happen from the OEM given failure rates are so low. Who knows what will
Happen. Sorta worked out well with Chevy Bolts
@@simplygregsterev I was not asking about a larger physical size as that seems impossible/self-evident but yes, the market is changing fast along with the technology while costs come down. This model is just too close to my lowest limit to consider and a 20/25% density increase (upgrade) would be perfect.
Cheers
Thank you!
You're welcome!
i3 owner here, I regret hearing news like this. its unfortunate. I hope that the issue gets remedied, aren't they able to take an existing pack and stress it to find it... I thought mini batteries were manufactured in Dingolfing Germany
@@AlecFurlan-hm7iw its a case sealing issue. I suspect it varies on car, region and climate. Its either down to adhesive used or corrosion
In reference to my comments a few days ago…am I the only one with a confirmed battery that was not sealed correctly getting the repair/fix?
Wasnt it 150 cars they suspected?
It was 128 per my NHTSA recall letter. 😮 at this point I am probably going to trade in or sell it if I ever get it back (they have had it a month). This has been the absolute worst customer service experience of my life so not feeling confident in being the first repair attempt. I hate it because I loved it.
@@CheriRobinson-v8o what concerns me is its likely to expand to more cars as time goes on. I leased my car and will likely not buy it back
@@simplygregsterev I just figured how to reply TO you. 😂 Any recommendations on another small EV to buy? The Fiat seems too small and I worry about its reliability but I like its look the best. I am thinking it is between the Hyundai Kona or the Nissan Ariya. Nissan has a long history with the Leaf. The Kona is a bit smaller. 🤷🏻♀️ I don’t love the looks of any of my options especially the pedestrian killing truck fronts of the SUV options (IMO).
@@CheriRobinson-v8o i was going to say Kona or Bolt. I have a new 500e and love it! No Leaf, please no leaf
I just went this morning as well for the recall. Only software update, they did not even inspect the battery and when I asked about replacing it, the guy at the dealership told me that there is no plan. It seems that if your battery is indeed defective, the update will stop the car to burn in a ball of fire but only then they will replace it. Pretty disappointed with the overall handling of the situation.
Yea we will see if we buy the car back.
@@simplygregsterev My understanding is that unless BMW plans a massive battery replacement campaign (pretty improbable given the number of car affected worldwide, the materials needed, and obviously the financial impact), for now they just add the update to make sure the battery is "safe" and if a problem arise you can still drive the car to the dealership to have it replaced. But if you are taking a trip and you get the error message... thanks BMW
Update ; recall 140.000 mini cooper se ev worldwide
@@nevergiveupferenczi1121 unfortunately
Get a Tesla? Yeahhh. I hope not.
Good luck getting the Mini fixed.
Haha exactly!
@richardhardin9184 thanks for watching
At least "EV-phobia" hasn't struck yet in Qanuckistan or elsewhere like it has in South Korea. Give it some time.
Interesting the US recall doesn’t mention anything about parking indoors
@@simplygregsterev ... "But he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." 🔥
Here's the news: All EV's have a battery problem. That's because they are managed by software. Now as a Software Engineer with over 35 years of experience, I can tell you that if you have ever written more than one line of code there will be a defect in it. Some defects will be insignificant, but many of them won't. You've just hit one that isn't. Welcome to the wonderfull world of software!
This is diagnostic software they are loading. A failsafe
You must be a crap coder
We don’t have this problem with our Teslas.