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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 own a 2003 Mini Cooper and in 2008 had to replace the entire transmission, costing over $8000 at the Northwest Mini Location here in Washington State. However, I wasn’t notified about this lawsuit. Do I have any other options?
Ok, I’m waiting for the results of the class action lawsuit. Please anyone tell me the outcome. I read some posts claiming BMW won. ‘hope it’s not true!!!!!
I don’t know what was the final decision on this lawsuit.
I filed my claim, but don’t know how to get further information..
Can somebody help?
My 2007 Mini Cooper Convertible S with just 64,000 miles on it needs a new transmission. $5,000 to fix. Apparently I cannot quality for this settlement as the S model has a different transmission than the CVT. Any idea if any other law suits are happening in regards to the Mini Cooper S Convertibles with these same issues?
Hey Sabrina, I have a 2005 S for which I had to have the transmission replaced. As of now, I don’t know of any lawsuits. Even if there were one, you would only be eligible for a dime if you had your car repaired before it turned 8 years old. If your read the FAQs, you can see the chart and how they based the compensation. Again, BMW has won. They produced a faulty, dangerous product and ended up making money becuase of it. Think of the millions Mini owners have spent to have their trannies repaired at dealerships and the minimal amount of compensation paid back.
I have a 2004 mini and when slowing down on 1st gear starts to get shaky when accelerating back to 2nd, I just bought this car can just found out, can anyone tell me if I’m from TX?
Same here, my 2006 MINI cooper S its having problems switching from 1st gear to 2nd and also to 3rd. The car stills running but i guess that its about time to get this problem worst. What should I do, can someone tell me the way to fight for it?
There is no way to fight for it. BMW has won. You can only sell your car – for next to nothing – or spend 6-7k to have it repaired.
So I just found this class action lawsuit, I have a 2006 Cooper S that I am getting a Transmition installed
this week The cost is 5500 and It looks like I missed the dates 10 days. Any chance they have moved the cut off date?
What about those of us with shoddy manual transmissions? I had to replace my transmission, then replace it again when the replacement was also shoddy. I have had problem after problem with my 2003 Mini. Power steering pump, window regulators, clutch, a/c. The company will take no responsibility.
I have a 2003 mini cooper with the cvt it is slipping at 55 to 60 mph. the tachometer will jump from 2500 rpm to 4000 rpm. It lurches in reverse and when pulled in to drive, I still owe 6,000.00 on it and do not know what i will do as i cant afford the costly repair or will not be able to buy another vehicle.Looks like I am left with a useless drive way ornament.
I have a 2003 Mini Cooper with 53,000 miles. My automatic transmission doesn’t shift on time and sometimes it starts at 6th gear. A dealer said i need replace the transmission and it would cost $10k.
My car’s value is only around $7,000. I am highly interested in this lawsuit.