Recall Campaign 15V-034: Replace Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Label and Tire Label on Left B-Pillar – 2014-2015 MINI Cooper – BMW & MINI

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V034
Manufacturer BMW of North America, LLC
Components EQUIPMENT
Potential Number of Units Affected 13,130

Incorrect Capacity Information on Label/FMVSS 110

The maximum weight listed on the label is incorrect (too low) and therefore does not comply with Federal Regulations.

Summary

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 MINI Cooper Hardtop two door vehicles manufactured December 1, 2013, to December 14, 2014. The affected vehicles may have been manufactured with an incorrect maximum capacity weight stated on the Tire Information Placard. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 110, “Tire Selection and Rims and Motor Home/Recreation Vehicle Trailer Load Carrying Capacity Information for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or less.”

Remedy

MINI will notify owners, and dealers will replace the incorrect labels with corrected labels, free of charge. Owners were mailed interim notification on March 18, 2015. The recall began on October 15, 2015. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Check if your MINI has a Recall

15V-034
Model Year 2014-15 MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper models only)
FMVSS 110 Tire Information Placard & Part 567 Certification Label
(“Tire Label & VIN Label”)

Note:

This is a non-compliance recall. The vehicle capacity weight on the FMVSS 110 Tire Information Placard (“tire label”) is understated. The vehicle capacity weight on the tire label will be updated to a larger value. In addition, the Part 567 Certification Label (the “VIN label”) will be updated to include a larger value for the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).

As a result of the increased vehicle capacity weight on the updated tire information label, the cargo weight capacity (luggage and passengers) will also increase. Specifically, the label value will increase by 20kg (44lb) for automatic transmission vehicles and by 50kg (110lb) for manual transmission vehicles.

Q1. Which models are affected by this recall?

Affected are certain Model Year 2014-2015 MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper models only) vehicles produced between December 2013 and December 2014.

Q1a. What about the MINI Hardtop 2 Door Cooper S and all the MINI Hardtop 4 Door models?

The MINI Hardtop 2 Door Cooper S and the MINI Hardtop 4 Door models are not affected.

Q1a(1). Why are these models not affected?

These models are not affected because they have correct values on the labels.

Q2. How many customer vehicles in the US are affected?

The number of customer vehicles affected in the US is approximately 13,130.

Q3. What is the specific issue involving this recall?

The value on the tire label, specifically the vehicle capacity weight, understates the cargo carrying capacity of the vehicle.

Q4. What can happen as a result of this issue?

The value on the tire label, specifically the vehicle capacity weight, understates the cargo carrying capacity of the vehicle.

Q5. Why are other vehicles not affected?

Other vehicles have labels with correct weight values.

Q6. Can I become aware of this issue if it is occurring?

If your vehicle is a MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper model) produced between December 2013 and December 2014, then your vehicle may be affected.

Q7. What corrective measures will be taken?

The tire label and the VIN label will be replaced.

Q8. How did MINI become aware of this issue?

MINI became aware of this issue as a result of our quality control procedures.

Q9. Are you aware of any accidents or injuries associated with the recall?

No.

Q10. Can I continue to drive my vehicle?

Yes, but when you receive a letter asking you to have this service performed, please do so as soon as possible. If you are not the only driver of this vehicle, please advise all other drivers of this important information.

Q11. How will I be informed of the recall?

You will receive a letter via First Class mail asking you to schedule an appointment with an authorized MINI dealer.

Q12. How will the recall be performed?

The tire label and the VIN label will be replaced.

Q13. How long will the update take?

The update may take approximately one hour; however, additional time may be required depending upon the MINI dealer’s schedule. The update will be performed free of charge by your authorized MINI dealer.

Q14. How many vehicles in the US have experienced this issue?

There are approximately 13,130 vehicles affected.

Q15. When will I receive my owner notification letter?

You should receive your letter in March asking you to have the update performed.

Q16. Do I have to wait for my recall letter in order to have the update performed?

Yes. We are in the process of implementing the recall campaign to ensure that the necessary parts (labels) and procedures are at the authorized MINI dealers prior to requesting that you have the update performed.

Q17. I see the “TREAD Act Customer Reimbursement Plan” attached to my letter. Can you explain what that is about? Am I eligible for reimbursement?

If, for some reason, you have had this update (label(s) replaced) performed prior to receiving your recall letter, your update should have been covered under warranty. Therefore, you should not have had to pay for the update, and therefore should not require reimbursement.

SI M71 01 15
Tools and Accessories (Engine-Chassis)

August 2015
Technical Service

Please perform the procedure outlined in this Service Information on all affected vehicles before customer delivery. In the event the customer has already taken delivery of the vehicle, please perform the procedure the next time the vehicle is in the shop.

This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI M71 01 15 dated March 2015.

New designates changes to this revision

SUBJECT

Recall Campaign 15V-034: Replace Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Label and Tire Label on Left B-Pillar

MODEL

F56 (Cooper Hardtop 2-door)

SITUATION

The gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) displayed on the VIN label, which is affixed to the vehicle’s left Bpillar, is too low.

The vehicle capacity weight value displayed on the tire label, which is affixed to the vehicle’s left B-pillar, is too low.

Following NHTSA regulations, customers will soon be receiving an “interim” letter informing them that their vehicle is affected and a “final” letter will be mailed to them as soon as we are ready to perform the repair.

Attached to this bulletin is the customer letter and Q and A for your reference.

AFFECTED VEHICLES

This Recall Campaign involves F56 Cooper 2-door Hardtop vehicles produced from December 1, 2013 to December 12, 2014.

Vehicles which require this Recall Campaign to be completed will show it as “Open” when checked either in the “Service Menu” of DCSnet (Dealer Communication System) or with the Key Reader.

CORRECTION

The maximum vehicle load (on the tire label) and gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR, on the VIN label) have been increased.

Note: The photo shows the location of the changed specifications, and does not indicate the correct values.

PROCEDURE

Instruct your service department to order labels for your inventory vehicles now, as these vehicles will have first priority for customer satisfaction if they cannot be delivered.

By placing your orders for the labels now (for your inventory vehicles only), they can be shipped to your dealer ASAP.

Inform the customer during the initial visit that the information for the new labels must be taken directly from his or her vehicle, and that he or she will be notified when the new labels have arrived.

Place the parts order as specified in the parts information below. Order labels for specific customers’ vehicles after you have confirmed that they are coming into your center for this update. When the vehicle returns for the correct label installation:

Compare the new label versus the old label to verify that the VINs match and the GVWR is different (has increased) before the old label is removed! Remove the tire pressure label (upper arrow) and the VIN label (lower arrow) from the driver’s B-pillar.

Carefully use a heat gun to soften the adhesive backing on each label.
Remove the label with a plastic wedge.

Remove all adhesive residue from the B-pillar with an appropriate cleaner (brake cleaner, rubbing alcohol).

Apply the new labels at the same position and with the same orientation as the original label.

Press firmly on the entire surface and all edges for maximum adhesion.

PARTS INFORMATION

Use the attached VIN Plate and Safety Compliance order form to place your order and email it to codedparts@bmwna.com for processing.

Use the attached tire pressure order form to place your order and email it to codedparts@bmwna.com for processing.

The labels can also be found on Centernet.

Part Number	Description	Quantity
71 24 6 790 874	Tire pressure label	1

71 21 7 315 814	Label for manufacturer certification US	1

WARRANTY INFORMATION

The repair described in this bulletin is covered under warranty regardless of time or mileage.

Reimbursement for this Recall Campaign will be via normal claim entry utilizing the following information:

Defect Code:

00 71 16 02 00

Completion before vehicle delivery to the customer or the vehicle is already in the workshop

Labor Operation:	Labor Allowance:	Description:
00 62 919	3 FRU	Replace VIN and tire pressure labels (Plus work)

Or:

Completion after vehicle delivery to the customer

Labor Operation:	Labor Allowance:	Description:
00 62 228	5 FRU	Replace VIN and tire pressure labels (Main work)

ATTACHMENTS

View PDF attachment M710115_MINI_Tire_Pressure_Label_Request_Form.

View PDF attachment M710115_VIN_Plate_Label_Replacement_Order_Form.

View PDF attachment M710115_Q&A.

View PDF attachment M710115_Interim_Customer_Letter.

View PDF attachment M710115_Safety_Recall_15V-034_Notice.

MINI

IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL

This notice applies to your vehicle,

October 2015

Recall Campaign No. 15V-034: Tire Information Label

Dear MINI Owner / Lessee:

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

BMW AG has decided that certain Model Year 2014 and 2015 MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 Door vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 110 (Tire Selection and Rims). Our records indicate that you are the owner of an affected vehicle.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Please note that we had informed you of this matter by letter in March and indicated that we were not ready to perform this recall. We are pleased to inform you that we are now ready, and we encourage you to schedule an appointment with your authorized MINI dealer as soon as possible to have this recall performed.

DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM

This recall involves WKH tire information label. The tire information label contains an incorrect value for the vehicle’s maximum capacity weight. In addition, the Certification label (or VIN label), contains an incorrect value for the vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) as these two values are related. Therefore, the labels do not conform to Federal regulations.

PRECAUTIONS FOR YOUR SAFETY

CONTACT YOUR AUTHORIZED MINI DEALER IMMEDIATELY TO SCHEDULEAN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE NECESSARY REPAIR PERFORMED ASSOON AS POSSIBLE. You can find your nearest MINI dealer atwww.miniusa.com/dealer.
If you are not the only driver of this vehicle, please advise all other drivers andpassengers of this important information.

DESCRIPTION OF REPAIR

Your vehicle will be updated with a new tire information label containing the vehicle’s correct maximum capacity weight (GVRWR). This free repair will require approximately four hours, however additional time may be required depending upon your authorized MINI dealer’s schedule. You may request alternative transportation from your MINI dealer.

OTHER INFORMATION

If you are no longer the vehicle owner/lessee, we request that you provide us with the name and address of the new owner/lessee using the enclosed postage-paid card so that we can contact the new owner/lessee regarding this recall. If you are a lessor of this vehicle, Federal Regulations require you to forward this notice to your lessee within ten days.

Should you have any questions about this recall, please contact your authorized MINI dealer. Should you need additional assistance, you may contact MINI Customer Relations and Services via Email at MINI.Assistance@askminiusa.com, or by calling 1-866-825-1525 from 9 AM to 9 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

If your MINI dealer is unable to remedy the defect without charge or within a reasonable period of time, you may notify the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., S.E., Washington, DC 20590, call the toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153), or go to https://www.safercar.gov.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this recall may cause you; however, be assured that MINI is concerned about your safety and security.

MINI recommends that you always wear your safety belt, and that all passengers be properly seated and restrained at all times.

MINI, a Division of BMW of North America, LLC

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2015/RCRIT-15V034-4316.pdf