TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MINI COOPER. WHILE PARKED OUTSIDE OF A RETIREMENT CENTER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND UNPLUGGED THE BATTERY BECAUSE IT APPEARED TO BE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL POWER ASSIST ON HIS RACK AND PINION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85,000.