On May 29, 2026, my 2025 MINI Countryman SE (battery-electric) became completely immobilized when the charging connector locked into the vehicle's charge port and could not be released. With the connector locked in, the vehicle could not be moved, shifted to neutral, or driven. The defect is in the factory charge-port locking mechanism. The connector could not be freed by me, by a MINI master technician working remotely for about 45 minutes, by the tow operator, or by the dealership's own service manager, who tried for over two minutes using both the manual release and the key fob and could not release it (recorded on video). The vehicle had to be towed. Because the wheels were locked, the master technician issued a written instruction that it be transported on dollies. A dealership advisor said the cause was the charge-port locking mechanism and that the lock "wears out over time with use." If accurate, that indicates a wear-related design condition that could immobilize other vehicles of this make and model, and a manual release that did not function when the primary lock failed. An EV that locks its own charge connector and then cannot be released or moved presents a stranding and safety risk, especially away from home or where it obstructs traffic. As of June 26, 2026, nearly four weeks later, the vehicle still has not been successfully repaired. Its own charging data shows no successful charging session since June 3, 2026, and repeated charging attempts at a dealership on June 16, 2026 each delivered zero energy, consistent with the charge-port/connector-lock defect remaining unresolved. The failed component is available for inspection, and all supporting evidence (video, photos, charging data, communications) has been preserved.
NHTSA ODI 11746804