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Which MINI models have high-voltage battery fire recalls?
Every recall in this MINI group is about the high-voltage battery catching fire, and they split across two vehicles. The 2020 MINI Countryman plug-in hybrid appears in two BMW-issued 2020 campaigns alongside BMW plug-in hybrids like the 330e, 530e, X3 xDrive30e and X5 xDrive45e: in one, debris entered hybrid battery cells during manufacturing; in the other, loose welding beads could form a conductive path between cells. Both can short-circuit the pack. The all-electric MINI Hardtop 2 Door Cooper SE, 2020-2024, carries the two 2024 recalls: a high-voltage battery housing that may not have been sealed properly, letting water in, and faults in the high-voltage battery or system that can cause a short circuit.
Warning signs to watch for
- A warning message about the high-voltage battery or high-voltage system displayed in the vehicle — on the Cooper SE, that message is the trigger for parking outside.
- Stalling or loss of drive power, which the Cooper SE water-intrusion notice describes as a consequence of a water-damaged battery.
- Smoke, heat or a burning smell around the battery area — these are all short-circuit fire risks, so treat any such sign as an emergency.
- Often no warning at all: the cell debris and welding-bead defects are internal to the battery, and the notices describe no symptom an owner would see beforehand.
Is it safe to keep driving?
No MINI recall here orders you to stop driving, but two set conditions. On the 2020 Countryman plug-in hybrid, BMW says you may keep driving only if you do not plug the vehicle in to charge and do not use sport mode, manual mode or the shift paddles until the repair is done. On the Cooper SE, if a warning message appears in the vehicle, park it outside and away from buildings until the remedy is complete. The water-intrusion recall sets no restriction but asks for prompt inspection.
What the free repair involves
All repairs are free. For the two 2020 hybrid battery recalls, dealers inspect the high-voltage battery and replace battery modules if necessary. For the Cooper SE water intrusion recall, dealers inspect and leak test the high-voltage battery and repair it as needed. The 2024 high-voltage fault recall is handled with a dealer-installed software update, not an over-the-air one.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| critical | 2 |
| high | 2 |
Models affected most
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-08-15 | MINI Cooper SE battery fault can cause fire | critical |
| 2024-04-29 | MINI Cooper SE battery may leak water, fire risk | high |
| 2020-09-30 | BMW and MINI plug-in hybrid batteries may catch fire | critical |
| 2020-08-18 | BMW and MINI Hybrid Battery May Short and Catch Fire | high |
Common questions
Can I charge my 2020 MINI Countryman plug-in hybrid while I wait?
No. BMW instructs owners of the affected plug-in hybrids not to charge the vehicle, and to avoid sport mode, manual mode and the shift paddles, until the battery has been inspected and any module replaced.
My Cooper SE is showing a high-voltage warning message. What should I do?
Park the vehicle outside and away from structures, and leave it there until the free remedy has been completed. Contact a MINI dealer right away — the fix for that recall is a software update installed at the dealership.
Why does my Cooper SE appear in two different battery recalls?
They are separate defects. One covers a high-voltage battery housing that may not have been sealed properly and can let water in; the other covers faults in the high-voltage battery or system that can short circuit. Each has its own remedy.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.