The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) has launched an investigation into some 2007-2008 BMW Mini Cooper S vehicles after receiving twelve complaints of engine fires, including five which resulted in a total vehicle loss. Eight of the complaints alleged the the fires started while the vehicles were parked with the ignition off. Because the complaints have significantly increased in the last year, the Office of Defect Investigation (ODI) has decided to open a preliminary evaluation to assess the cause, scope and frequency of the alleged defect.