Car was parked and the ABS braking unit caught fire. Fire Marshal watched CCTV from restaurant from across the street. He watched it from when the car was parked until the fire department arrived. No one went near the car or threw anything at the car. Fire Marshal saw when the smoke began, then an electrical arc and flames. The 2024 Mini Clubman was totaled by our insurance company. Luckily our daughter was not driving it when it caught fire. We have contacted BMW customer care and the dealership where it was purchased. She had the vehicle for a total of 3 months. It was supposed to have been a certified used mini. However, the vehicle had a warning light for brake fluid and we made appointment and took it in for service on 4/8/26. The Customer Care, Eddie, stated that the brake service was over due; however, it was just purchased as a certified mini 3 months prior and all services should have been done prior to us purchasing the vehicle. Vehicle was serviced and their 21 point inspection stated everything was fine. At this time, we are out $8,500, $5K cash down payment, $1600 trade, $1900 in car payments. That is a steep price for driving a vehicle for 3 months. Dealership said they could not help us and to call Customer Care, we called Customer Care, and they are supposedly looking into it.
- NHTSA ID
- 11735901
- Incident
- Apr 27, 2026