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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 just saw this information about the transmission about a week ago. I bought my 03 mini cooper back in dec. after around three months my car satlled when i was trying to get out of a drive way in the winter, after that it stalled when i was going in reverse out of a spot in a driveway and parking lot. Also it would do a rough idle when my foot was on the break. I was told by the dealership it needed sparks wire and a new fuel line. Not too long after i picked up my car it stalled while i was in a turning lane, I could’nt keep my car running. What should of taken me around five or so minutes from where i was at to get to my dealership it took me over a half hour. It has been in the shop since may 24, I do not know if the transmission was already replaced before i purchased the car. The place were i purchased the car said it was the transmission. There has been two different rebuilt transmissions installed and taken out many times, I am now being told a brand new transmission is the only way to fix the issues.I wonder if I apply to this lawsuit? Any information would be great.
I registered my vehicle and contact information in Nov 2012 with the law firm managing the class action lawsuit. I was told that I would be contacted in a few years with information on the decision, and I was told that I would be contact with updates. Today, August 21, 2014 I have found out that April 2014 was the deadline to submit a claim for any possible payment.
The law firm mis-represented the communication process and set the wrong expectations with me. Screwed?
Steve Z.
This is more than a race event, it is a three day party with a race
on the side. Any new technology invented comes under three divisions where technology continues to focus for betterment.
Preserve your income if you aspiration to acquire all the devices and accessories that currently pointed out, some gadget seriously valuable to communicate with other individuals in extended distance.
2003 cooper bad transmission. At 87k very sad this was my dream car and the dream just ended. Sign me up
Last comment. There are many people on this board saying things like “please sign me up for this lawsuit.” Do you really think you can be signed up for a lawsuit by asking to be signed up on a comments section? Just strange.
I took over my mother’s 2002 mini cooper automatic in February 2013. The car had lived in my mother’s garage with approx 27,000 miles on the clock and was regularly serviced etc so I thought I would be able to have a few year’s happy motoring without having to spend money on parts. Sadly this was not the case. Every time I put the car into drive it felt like I was being hit in the rear and I have just paid out nearly £2,000 sterling to have a reconditioned transmission fitted. I am very unhappy and would like BMW to compensate me. Please let me know if this lawsuit is still ongoing so I can add my name.
I have a 2007 mini cooper s convertible approaching 97k miles. I’m surprised it’s lasted this long as I’ve had problems with it since I got it brand new, actually. There were a few times it actually wouldn’t accelerate passed 40 mph on a speedy FREEWAY! Needs a new transmission. Gears get stuck often. Stevens Creek (Santa Clara/San Jose, CA) mini quoted $11,000 for a new transmission.
ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS!
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.
Please keep me informed on the Mini transmission issue. Thank you.d
Question I have a 2010 mini cooper hardtop does this model and year have the same transmission problems as the prior models 2003 to 2007? mine hesitates going uphill and sometimes from a stop at a red light.
same transminsion problem with my wife 06 mini cooper