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Having transmission problems with your MINI Cooper? You’re not alone. A federal class action lawsuit claims BMW of North America installed “shoddy” automatic transmissions in first-generation MINI’s that are prone to premature failure and cannot be reasonably repaired, forcing consumers to spend thousands of dollars to replace them and putting them at risk of serious harm.
According to the BMW MINI Cooper class action lawsuit, BMW aggressively marketed the MINI Cooper as a stylish, high performance — yet affordable — vehicle, and launched the MINI amidst great fanfare. The marketing campaign was so successful that buyers lined up to get their hands on the first generation MINIs and waited months to a year for a delivery.
“There’s a saying that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is…[and] after the dust settled from BMW Group’s marketing fervor, owners of First Generation MINIs found that they had been duped because their vehicles did not stand the test of time,” the MINI Cooper class action lawsuit states.
“In their haste to create a new ‘premium small car’ market, BMW Group sacrificed quality to meet demand and keep the sales price low, and as a result, First Generation MINIs were quickly churned out with substandard parts and shoddy workmanship. BMW Group refuses to take responsibility for these actions, and instead, prefers that its customers be left to clean up the mess it created.”
The MINI Cooper transmission class action lawsuit takes aim at BMW’s failure to disclose a material problem concerning the Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVTs) installed in first generation MINIs, which the lawsuit alleges are prone to premature failure.
“As a result of BMW Group’s failure to disclose the fact that CVTs installed in First Generation MINIs are prone to premature failure, consumers are required to spend approximately $6,000 to $9,000 (one-third to one-half of the original purchase price) to repair or replace their CVTs, or sell their vehicle without repair for a substantial loss,” the MINI Cooper CVT class action lawsuit states. Their failure to disclose the problem also places the driver and passengers at risk of serious harm, the lawsuit continues, because the CVTs can fail without warning, resulting in a complete loss of power to the drive wheels.
“As a result of its failure to disclose the material fact that CVTs installed in First Generation MINIs were prone to premature failure, BMW Group has recklessly placed the safety of the owners and occupants of First Generation MINIs at risk, and caused owners of those vehicles to suffer damages.”
The MINI Cooper defective transmission class action lawsuit seeking restitution, damages and other relief for a proposed class of all California residents who, at any time prior to the filing of this complaint, purchased or leased a 2002-2006 MINI Cooper Coupe or 2005-2008 MINI Cooper Convertible in California.
A copy of the BMW MINI Cooper Defective Transmission Class Action Lawsuit can be read here.
The case is Brad Aarons v. BMW of North America, LLC, Case No. 11-cv-07667, U.S. District Court, Central District of California.
UPDATE 1: A federal judge indicated he will approve a class action settlement reached in this class action lawsuit.
UPDATE 2: Judge Gutierrez preliminarily approved the MINI Cooper Transmission Class Action Settlement. Details on how to file a claim will be available soon.
UPDATE 3: 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 4: Claim filing instructions are now available! See how to file a claim for the MINI Cooper class action settlement here.
UPDATE 5: 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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390 thoughts onBMW MINI Cooper Defective Transmission Class Action Lawsuit
I got a part time teaching job an hour away so I had to trade my jeep in for a car. I bought a 2002 mini cooper with 53k miles and now I’m at 68k and my cvt is going out. I was quoted 5k for a used tranny and labor. I owe a little over 8k on it still. I could buy a new car for that combination price! This is not only ridiculous, but stressful. I thought BMW was a big name for quality, apparently not.
ditto…2003 mini cooper, left my daughter stranded on the highway waiting 90 min for AAA. quoted 10,500 to replace transmission, the casing was split in two. Is there an Ohio class action suit..purchased at the BMW STORE, Cincinnati….offered 1,000 for trade in ! Please give any information or we can start our own suit!
Same story here, second transmission failed. Need help.
My 2003 Mini Cooper just went into the repair shop. Transmission fail at 55k miles. Replace the transmission
is the only solution to the tune of $8K. So sign me up I would like to get on board with the class action suit. How do I do that.
If anybody knows how or what I can do. Please email me. Thank you signed
a Disappointed Mini owner
ccwpod@sbcglobal.net
I too have a 2006 Mini Cooper S that the transmission failed and the dealer wont do anything but charge me 8900 for a new transmission.When I took the car a year ago with the same problem, I was told it was the quality of gas. Needless to say that was not the case.. I’m so disappointed with BMV for putting out such a cheap quality product.
If Any one needs to get there transmission fixed I have a shop in Glendora CA And the price is $3500.00 two year unlimited mile warranty. cal 626.963.6333
I am in the same situation. I have a 2003 automatic and my transmission was making funny noises and was told I needed a new transmission for a cost of $7000.00. I would like to get involved in this class action suit or get BMW to do a recall and fix the problem before someone gets killed.
Seattle, Wa.
I have a 2003 Mini Cooper that had the transmission go out in April of 2011. I was quoted over $9000.00 to repair / replace the transmission by the Moritz Mini dealer in Arlington Texas.
I would like information on how to get involved in this class action suit, please.
Regards,
C King-Haak
I have complete documentation of my issues with my 2006 Mini Cooper S which had 65,000 miles on it when the transmission failed. I sent a letter requesting help since my warranty was 1 year/15,000 miles expired when the transmission went and Mini Service never acknowledged a problem with the transmission while it was under warranty. They quoted me close to $10,000 to fix the transmission. The car had other problems as well, with a grand total of $17,500 worth of work needed. This total includes (but is not limited to) a new water pump, new power steering line among other problems. After owning the car for 5 years and finally making my final payment this is what happened (this is after I put approximately $3,000 into the cooling system that never worked right!). Please send me information on how I can participate in this law suit. Thank you, Tina Gross
I have a 2002 mini that the clutch and transmission went out on at around 30,ooo miles..The cost was close to 4,000 to replace….Now the power steering pump went out on the freeway and put my life at great risk!!!! I am in process of speaking with BMW in Ohio, i hope they will see their way clear to repair my Mini at their expense or we are going to court!!!!!