All Investigations » Investigation EA08020

  Defect Investigation of Exhaust Pipe Burns

Investigation of Exhaust Pipe Burns

Subject: Exhaust pipe burns
Components covered:
  • Cooling exhaust system
Investigations Summary: This investigation was opened on Aug. 29, 2008. It was closed on Jan. 2, 2009. Note: this investigation has resulted in a vehicle safety recall.
BMW will conduct a safety recall (08v-657) on 28,450 Mini cooper s vehicles manufactured from November 18, 2006 through July 8, 2008. Dealers will install modified exhaust pipe tips that do not extend beyond the rear bumper. The two exhaust pipe tips of the subject vehicles exit the underside of the vehicle at the center of the vehicle and extend beyond the rear bumper. The complainants reported being burned on their legs when they inadvertently touched the exposed hot exhaust pipe tips while removing items of cargo from the rear of their vehicle via the hatch back door. Some complainants reported being burned on more than one occasion or that other family members were also burned. The 50 injuries reported in this investigation include significant second degree burns causing blistered and scared skin and one incident resulted in a third degree burn. This investigation also resulted in an initial decision of a defect. For information regarding the initial decision and details of the investigation see documents, inrm-ea08020-31646. Pdf (initial decision letter) and inir-ea08020-31648. Pdf (initial decision report), in the investigation file. This investigation is closed.
Vehicles Affected by this investigation:
  • 2007 Mini Cooper S
  • 2008 Mini Cooper S

    Other investigations related to Mini vehicles

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