# 2009 MINI COOPER — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
> NHTSA complaint `1613675` · 2019-10-20 · BMW of North America, LLC
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** Yes
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** MINI
- **Model:** COOPER
- **Year:** 2009
- **Manufacturer:** BMW of North America, LLC
- **Component:** ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- **Miles at failure:** 120,000
## Narrative
HELLO,     YESTERDAY AFTERNOON I STARTED MY 2009 MINI COOPER AND NOTED THAT MY GAUGES SUDDENLY FAILED.  THE TACH DROPPED TO ZERO.  SUDDENLY I RECEIVED A TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT.  I DECIDED I WOULD MOVE THE CAR TO A MORE FAVORABLE LOCATION TO LOOK UNDER THE HOOD.  AS I PLACED THE CAR IN REVERSE I NOTED THAT MY POWER STEERING HAD FAILED.  I STOPPED THE CAR IMMEDIATELY AND POPPED THE HOOD.  I IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THE SMELL OF BURNING ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT.  I RAN DOWN TO THE BASEMENT TO GRAB A WRENCH TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. WHEN I RETURNED I COULD HEAR POPS AND CRACKS AND NOTED CHAR ON THE HOOD INTERIOR.  THOUGH THE KEYS WERE OUT I CONTINUED TO HEAR POPS AND CRACKS AND FELT HEAT ACCUMULATING .  I FINALLY GOT THE BATTERY DISCONNECTED AND THE POPPING STOPPED.  AFTER SOME INVESTIGATION I FOUND THAT THE WIRING NEAR THE POWER STEERING MODULE WAS COMPLETELY BURNT OUT.  THE CAR DROVE FINE THE DAY PRIOR.  MY WIFE IS 38 WEEKS PREGNANT AND I AM SHAKEN BY THE IDEA THAT THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING THE DAY BEFORE.
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*