Investigations
EXHAUST PIPE BURNS
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE08031 — closed, opened 2008-04-28 and involving the MINI COOPER.
NHTSA investigation PE08031 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2008-04-28 and currently closed. The subject of record is MINI COOPER, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for MINI. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2008-08-29 — NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
A Preliminary Evaluation like PE08031 is the entry point of the federal defect-investigation process. NHTSA engineers scan complaint databases, field reports, and manufacturer data to decide whether an Engineering Analysis is warranted, whether a voluntary recall is already sufficient, or whether the pattern does not rise to a defect finding.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON THREE CONSUMER REPORTS. THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED BEING BURNED ON THEIR LEGS BY THE HOT EXHAUST PIPE TIP WHILE THEY WERE REMOVING CARGO ITEMS F..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time. Related MINI files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON THREE CONSUMER REPORTS. THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED BEING BURNED ON THEIR LEGS BY THE HOT EXHAUST PIPE TIP WHILE THEY WERE REMOVING CARGO ITEMS FROM THE REAR HATCH AREA OF THEIR VEHICLES. THE MINI COOPER "S" MODEL HAS DUAL EXHAUST PIPE TIPS THAT ARE LOCATED AT THE CENTER LINE OF THE VEHICLE UNDER THE REAR BUMPER. THE EXHAUST PIPE TIPS EXTEND BEYOND THE EDGE OF THE BUMPER. ODI IS UPGRADING THIS INVESTIGATION TO ENGINEERING ANALYSIS EA08-020 BASED ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY BMW IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S PE08-031 INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER.
About This Investigation Type
A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first phase of NHTSA's investigation process. It is opened when the agency identifies a potential safety defect pattern, usually triggered by consumer complaints, manufacturer reports, or field monitoring. During a PE, NHTSA gathers information to determine whether a formal engineering analysis is warranted.
Other MINI Investigations
Engine compartment fire
Loss of power steering assist
EXHAUST PIPE BURNS
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATION
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. Learn more.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.