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Mini Cooper class action settlementA federal judge has preliminarily approved a class action settlement between BMW of North America LLC and first-generation MINI Cooper owners who say the automaker installed “shoddy” transmissions in their vehicles. The deal will provide Class Members reimbursement for repairs, a warranty extension and up to $2,000 if they sold their MINI Cooper at a loss.

A Final Fairness Hearing is set for April 28, 2014. Detailed notices on how to file a claim for the MINI Cooper class action settlement will go out no later than December, according court documents.

The MINI Cooper settlement resolves five class action lawsuits that accuse BMW of concealing a design defect that causes the Continuously Variable Automatic Transmissions (“CVTs”) in the vehicles to prematurely break down and suffer mechanical failure.  Plaintiffs allege the transmission defect can cause significant delays in acceleration, loss of forward propulsion and total transmission failure while driving. Even more concerning, they said, is the tendency of the transmissions to fail without warning, which can contribute to traffic accidents that may lead motorists to experience serious injury or death.

The class action settlement will cover all current and former U.S. owners and lessees of a MINI R50 (produced between June 11, 2001 and November 28, 2006) and/or a MINI R52 (produced between March 6, 2004 and July 31, 2008), that were originally equipped with a CVT.

Class Members who paid for a CVT repair or replacement at an authorized BMW or MINI dealership will be reimbursed for the out-of-pockets expenses they incurred, up to 8 years/150,000 miles. Reimbursement will be based on a time and mileage schedule that will provide between 12.5% and 100% of the costs they paid, which is estimated to be approximately $6,000 to $9,000.

Class Members who paid for a repair or replacement at a third-party repair facility instead of a MINI or BMW dealership will be subject to a maximum reimbursement of $4,100.

BMW will also reimburse vehicle owners who sold their MINI Cooper at a loss rather than pay to repair their defective transmission. Class Members who sold their vehicles for $4,000 or less can receive $1,000 if they sold a 2002-2003 model year vehicle, $1,500 for a 2004-2005 model year vehicle, or $2,000 for a 2006-2008 model year vehicle.

Details on how to file a claim for the MINI Cooper Transmission Defect Class Action Settlement are not yet available. Keep checking Top Class Actions or sign up for our free weekly e-newsletter below for updates on this case and other class action lawsuits and settlements.

The case is Aarons v. BMW of North America LLC, Case No. 11-cv-07667, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

UPDATE: Notices and claim filing instructions for the MINI Cooper settlement are being delayed by disputes between the two parties. Both sides asked the Court to intervene to expedite administration of the class action settlement benefits.

UPDATE 2: Claim filing instructions are now available! See how to file a claim for the MINI Cooper class action settlement here.

UPDATE 3: A misplaced objection to the MINI Cooper class action settlement has delayed the distribution of funds. Because the objection is similar to other objections already overruled by the judge, it is likely to be overruled as well. We will update readers when more information is available.

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38 thoughts onMINI Cooper Class Action Settlement Gets Tentative OK

  1. saddam alhayyawi says:

    I have 2007 mini cooper base I have problems with my transmission it’s take for ever to move forward, and I don’t have money to fix it .how can I apply for a claim.
    I baught from some body not from dealer

  2. Stella C says:

    I have a 2003 mini cooper S with 150.000 miles. I am having a lot of the problems described by many of you with clutch changed, licking every liquid it uses… The steering pump went bad once already and its going to be fix again… The motor mounts are all to be replaced… Two times the car just stopped and die in the middle of the road with no notice or any light on the dash going on so I list I would be aware of a malfunction. I been almost out of oil and it never shows it needed oil… It never shows its over heating. I will like to know more about it and be part of the class action lawsuit is it hot

  3. Amy Daniel says:

    This is currently me I have the exact model and because of that part my engine is blown. Who do we contact at this moment?

  4. Maria Miller says:

    I purchased a 2006 mini last month and transmission is out now. I would like to know if there’s any help for me as I bought this car from my sister and she never received any letter or communication from anybody.

    Thanks for your help

  5. Top Class Actions says:

    UPDATE: A misplaced objection to the MINI Cooper class action settlement has delayed the distribution of funds. Because the objection is similar to other objections already overruled by the judge, it is likely to be overruled as well. We will update readers when more information is available.

  6. Robert Rodriguez says:

    I just bought a 2006 Mini Cooper S convertible about 2 months ago. It came with 80,000 miles on it. I have been noticing the past 2 months that the car has troubles switching gears and it sounds as if the transmission wants to give up. I am basically having the same exact problem that everyone is else is having. I have not taken it to a body shop yet but I am sure that they will end up telling me the same thing that they have been telling everyone one else. Please include me
    In this class action lawsuit.

  7. JGT says:

    I have a 2005 mini with the automatic with these problems. I have it sitting in my drive way. No work has been done. Service at BMW is quoting 7K to 8K. my question is how do i get this taken care of by BMW with out me shelling out up front? Service said they are aware of the lawsuit but corporate has said its business as usual until further notice. I’m Dealing with Daniels BMW in Allentown Pa

  8. david hayward says:

    my 03 mini had 100,00 miles and the transmission, has been giving me problems for the last 5 months, horrible sounds and no power, i am the original owner,and its the only car i own, i want to get it fixed,but no money to do so, i just got laid off work and now collect unemployment, i cant even go for a interview for a job, because my car wont make it,MINI, please fix my car

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