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A class action lawsuit claims BMW has been selling 2002-2009 Mini Coopers with a defective steering system that makes the Mini “virtually uncontrollable in traffic and starts a potentially catastrophic fire in the engine compartment.”
The BMW Mini Cooper class action lawsuit, filed October 12 in Newark Federal Court, claims that the vehicles have an inherent defect that compromises and diminishes the quality, safety, durability, craftsmanship and performance of the Mini Cooper. The lawsuit claims the defect manifests in the steering pump of the vehicle and causes, among other things, the complete loss of power steering and control of the vehicle while it’s in motion, and often results in the ignition of a fire in the engine compartment.
According to the Mini Cooper class action lawsuit, internal BMW documents show the company knew about the problems with the power steering and/or power steering pump in the cars, but failed to correct the problems and continued to sell the Mini Coopers without telling consumers the full truth about the dangerous defect.
The National Highway Transportation and Safety Agency (NHSTA) opened an investigation into the matter in April 2007 after it received over 32 complaints about loss of power steering and fires in 2002-2004 Mini Coopers. In response, BMW acknowledged that the defect’s primary cause was an insufficient seal of the power steering pump ground cable at its attachment to the chassis, which results in water ingress that corrodes the power pump power cable connector and leads to loss of power steering and “localized smoldering.” The NHSTA closed the initial investigation after BMW claimed to have fixed the defects, but NHSTA opened a new investigation into the later Mini Cooper models after it received numerous complaints from car owners about the same problems.
The BMW Mini Cooper class action lawsuit is brought on behalf of a nationwide class of persons who purchased and/or leased a 2002-2009 model year Mini Cooper. It is seeking damages and restitution for class members, attorneys’ fees, and an order prohibiting BMW from selling, marketing or advertising the Mini Coopers without a detailed warning about the defect.
A copy of the BMW Mini Cooper Defective Steering Class Action Lawsuit can be read here.
Updated October 25th, 2010
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43 thoughts onMini Cooper Defective Steering Class Action Lawsuit
I have a 2005 mini with 61000 miles. When I turned the ignition off a constant hum came from the engine. The noise wouldn’t stop and eventually ran down the battery. I had the mini towed to a reputable mini repair man within 15 miles of my home. The closest mini dealer is 120 miles away. The problem was the power steering pump and fan I paid over $1600 to have it replaced. When going through my files I noticed the extended warranty letter from mini dated 5/13. I called the number and they said too bad… They said I would have had to have it replaced by a mini dealer. When I explained the dealer was too far away and I didn’t know what the problem was they still, too bad. I would be very interested in a class action suit. The extended warranty paperwork states that they will “generally reimburse” if you go to an independent repair shop.
My daughters 2005 Mini Cooper S Convertible power steering pump caught fire last week, came across extended warranty information but I fall 30 days outside the extended warranty – my car was produced 3/05. Called Mini USA and they won’t do anything to help. The wiring harness is completely melted, cannot find out how to replace this. Just got rid of my other BMW a couple of months ago. I don’t think I will ever buy another one.
Power steering went out just out of warranty. I was told that the wiring harness had to be replaced as well as the power steering pump. Mini cooper gave me a quote to do the repair for $10,000.00. The kelly blue book on this care is $9,500.00. My Mini is a 2009 with only 51,000 miles Mini knows about this problem, why should I pay a dime??? Are they crazy??? I know I’ll never buy another one!!!
Same problem here. Mini Cooper s 2006 57k miles. Trasmission failure. Go at http://www.Ezscreen.com/mini cooper.htm and sign up.
I have a 2006 mini cooper, power steering **** near made me have a fatal accident involving a family with children, my power steering failed with no warning at all!!!!!! Completely shot and I almost hit a family with children at speeds of 55 MPH! How can I go about having Mini pay for a new power steering pump and labor????? There’s no way Im paying the $950 repair bill when it is known that the failure lies with-in Mini???? Who do I contact?
2003 Mini Cooper Power Steering Failure. November 2012 coming off the turnpike at highway speeds…I had no steering and NO warning. Very dangerous and scary! Reported to the NHTS. Received a letter in the mail from Mini and sent my repair bill of 1264.58 back in May 2013. I haven’t received anything to date. I called today and they cannot find anything on file…REALLY? Mini must take responsibility for this defect or someone is going to get seriously hurt.
Thursday afternoon traveling on the 101 in my ’03 Mini, suddenly my power steering quit. After arriving at destination, the car steered like a tank. Parked for about 5 hrs. got in car to drive home and every thing was normal. Very confused but afraid of what might happen next
I have a 2004 Mini, my power steering went out while driving on the interstate, pretty scary moments. After I got to my destination I noticed a sound (like a radiator fan on) and dismissed it. When I got back to start the car it was dead, I had to replace the battery. when I connected the new battery the same sound came back on with out the keys in it, I noticed it was the power steering pump because when I put key in it moved the steering wheel and noise decreased. This is going to cost me an arm and a leg, I’ve done some research and finding out that this is a common problem for this car!!! what are we going to do about it??? please help.
I bought a 2004 mini cooper s off the auction September of 2012. 33k miles. it was hit on the front driver wheel and has no relation to power steering pump problems or engine problem. After done fixing the car, I drove it for a few months, next thing I know, power steering completely turned off. I have been driving like this for a couple of months trying to get some respect from BMW, but no luck. So I bought myself a new power steering pump online. $400 but $133 in receiving for sending back the old one in return. Rockauto.com
I purchased 2006 Cooper S with 71000 miles, from the beginning, I had transmission problem, gear shifts in and out by itself. it almost caused serious accidents. It was really scary. Then, two weeks ago. smoke was coming out of front of the car and was making high pitched sound, and also noticed white corrosion all over the engine and lost power steering and couldn’t start the engine back again. I understand that this problem could cause a serious fire. I don’t know what to do at this point. I just purchased this car. I literally can not afford to pay for expensive repairs.