BMW recalls 235,000 Minis over fire risk

The Mini Countryman is among the models caught up in a global recall due to potentially faulty waterpumps. Photo / Supplied

A global recall of BMW's Mini worldwide will affect 418 New Zealand owners.

The German carmaker has recalled around 235,000 Minis worldwide due to a fault in the electric water pump that cools the turbo charger, which could in some cases be a fire risk, a spokesman said.

In extreme cases, the pump could overheat and cause a fire. This has already happened in the United States, Gruetzmacher said, but no one has been hurt.

There are 418 Minis in New Zealand that are covered by the recall, which concerns vehicles built between March 2006 and January 2011.

BMW New Zealand's Edward Finn told nzherald.co.nz that owners of cars covered by the recall will be notified by mail and through its dealer network.

"Mini owners will, of course, have this repaired free of charge."

Some Mini Cooper, Cooper S (including John Cooper Works versions and the Cooper Convertible) and Countryman models face a basic repair to rectify the fault.

US recall

On Sunday, the US traffic safety agency announced that BMW had recalled 89,000 Mini Coopers for the same reason.

"The electric auxiliary water pump that cools the turbocharger has an electronic circuit board that can malfunction and overheat," the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on its website.

- AFP / NZ HERALD STAFF