Safety regulators checking into Mini engine fires

[October 18, 2011]  DETROIT (AP) -- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is looking into complaints of engine compartment fires that could affect 36,000 Mini Cooper "S" models from the 2007 and 2008 model years.

The federal safety agency said in documents posted on its website that it has received 12 complaints of fires. Five of the blazes destroyed the cars. Eight fires happened when the engines had been shut off.

No injuries have been reported, NHTSA said in documents posted during the weekend.

The agency says there's an increasing trend of fires, with most of the complaints coming in the past year. NHTSA opened a preliminary evaluation on Oct. 11 and will try to find the cause of the blazes. Depending on the findings, a recall could be ordered.

The fires could affect "S" models of the Mini Cooper, Cooper Clubman and Cooper Convertible, the agency said.

A spokeswoman for Mini, which is owned by German automaker BMW AG, said Monday that the company is investigating the issue and cooperating with NHTSA.

[Associated Press]

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