The manual tailgate release cable was not fitted in this and other early production mini cooper s cars, though the owner's manual indicates that this safety feature is part of the design. the manual tailgate release cable allows access to the battery compartment, which is in the trunk of the vehicle, when there is an electrical malfunction such as a battery failure. without the manual release cable, the battery is inaccessible in the event of a failed battery or other electrical malfunction. the battery in my car failed and left me stranded on the side of the highway with no convenient access to remove the battery. further, the absence of this manual release cable means that the tailgate could not be used as an egress for vehicle occupants in the event of an emergency.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 mini cooper s. while driving 40 mph, the vehicle caught fire. the contact pulled over and doused the vehicle with a bucket of water. the dealer and the police were not notified. the vehicle is parked in his garage. the contact discovered from the nhtsa website that there are approximately eight others who have filed complaints regarding the same failure. the current and failure mileages were 58,000.