Mini Cooper Owners & Lessees File Class Action Lawsuit Complaint Against BMW Over Allegedly Defective Power Steering System in Mini Cooper.
A class action lawsuit has been filed against BMW of North America, LLC (“BMW” or “Defendant”) in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey (styled Deenie Glass v. BMW of North America, LLC) alleging, among other things, that BMW designed and manufactured Mini Cooper brand automobiles model years 2002 to 2009 with a defective power steering system that purportedly manifests itself without warning, rendering the Mini Cooper vehicle uncontrollable in traffic and potentially resulting in fire in the engine compartment, according to the BMW Mini Cooper power steering system class action lawsuit complaint.
The BMW Mini Cooper power steering system class action lawsuit complaint is reportedly brought on behalf of a putative class consisting of the following:
All persons who purchased and/or leased a 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and/or 2009 Mini Cooper (the “Class”). Excluded from the Class are Defendants’ officers, directors and employees, and any individual who received remuneration from the Defendants to act as an endorser of the Vehicles.
For more information on the BMW Mini Cooper power steering system class action lawsuit, read the BMW Mini Cooper class action lawsuit complaint.
If You Have Thoughts On The BMW Mini Cooper Power Steering System Class Action Lawsuit, Share Your Class Action Comments Below.
{ 61 comments… read them below or add one }
I had a power steering pump fail on my 02 cooper, but they fixed it, and I got on with my life!
Well aren’t you a lucky SOB!!! I’m on my 2nd power steering pump…Care to share some $$$$$$$ With me?
I was driving my 2003 mini cooper s to work today 27 apr 2012 power stearing went out and engine was on fire. Whats the deal mini? Cars in the shop!!!!
The problem is not with the steering pump, the problem is with the way the car is constructed. If you are turning and go over a bump the steering shakes back and forth and can cause the car to lose control. My wife has almost gone off the road multiple times. She’s complained to the Mini store but they say there is no problem that they know of.
To you, Brett and Terry…….
Brett…..consider yourself fortunate, since BMW wasn’t helping, admitting fault, or anything else, until recently. Now, if you pester them enough, they may pay for a portion of parts……but NOT labor.
As far as your case, Terry…….I can’t believe someone that is smart enough to come on this site and post a message like you did….can’t read the other posts, which all of the info is the same. POWER STEERING FAILURE………some, at highway speeds…..where you almost totally lose control because of the strength it requires for you to do the work of the ELECTRICALLY ASSISTED POWER STEERING PUMP…..and usually, it has blown the fuse…..so you have to do the work of the pump, while power is being sent to the front wheels. It is NOT a problem with the “construction” of the car…..it is in the design of the power steering system AND the fan that cools the steering pump, while hooked into the charging system of the car.
Terry let me guess your another wanna me mechanic? The problem is you need an your suspension checked along with your head!!!! Teach your wife how to drive….Get back when the PS pump fails….
02 mini s… 100,000 miles, power steering pump dies.. barely steerable without power steering.. quite a common problem and expense.. look on the internet. BMW goofed when they built that part of the car. At least $450 for the pump plus $150 to install it… much more with BMW or their assigns. Hope the class actions succeeds as they have put something out that is quite dangerous.
I had 60k On my 04 Cooper S and the PS Pump failed. I now have 71k and guess what Failed again…I hope they do something about this. I don’t have a job I can’t afford the 900 smackers every year to get this fixed
I really hope this class action lawsuit comes through, I have spent an enormous amount of money in trying to fix my mini, it is ridiculous.
As of today 11/23/2010- Sad to say that my 2003 MINI COOPER is still in the shop, I have replaced so many parts on the vehicle, have spent over $9, 800 to date and still having problems with the steering, electrical wiring and other, I hope and pray that this class action lawsuit comes through for all it’s innocent victims, MINI/BMW needs to correct this deffective issue.
My girl died in 2006 age 22 in 2008 I found out about the power steering design flaw from BBC watch dog from day one people have ask for this car to be recalled. BMW have robbed my girl Claire pump failed unable to move the steering wheel.in the reports on the internet people have replaced four pumps on one car.which means after fitting a new one the car still will crash and fire.reports BMW unable to keep up with demand.BMW z4 crash which is fitted with the same pump.one lady crash several time BMW computer unable find fault they let her drive it.
Just nought an 03 Mini cooper and power steering went out and then started wokring again. Then transmission failed and is at shop> I started looking for trans and found all these complaints for the same problems!!! I want to join class action suit please contact me!!
My car is a 2007 Cooper, 45,000 miles. Needs transmission, dealer is covering 65% of repairs. My cost is still 2,500. I didn’t buy a supposedely “high quality” , reliable car to have to pay for costly repairs. Please contact me with any info on lawsuits
I have a 2003 mini cooper , it had happen to me . I almost hit guard rail when turning . BMW needs to step up and fix it. My car started to get hard on turning and I cranked on the steering when power steering started to work again and I almost slammed into the guard rail from cranking the steering wheel . Its very dangerous for the average person on getting into a crash. I’m diesel mechanic , I have worked on cars and trucks all my life . This is not normal ware and tare . Very bad design . BMW is just trying make a quick buck . Trying to get you buy a new pump and pay for labor. Now your stuck on buying a new pump . I also would want join a class action suit please contact me
My daughter and grand daughter wer almost home when her mini just locked up. Luckily no one was hurt. Local mechanic towed the vehicle. I was there when he pulled the transmission plug and I had to watch as all sorts of metal came pouring out. We recoverd transmission gear pieces and bearing pieces. It’s the 5 speed manual transmission and the cost of a replacement from a junk yard is $1800 not including instalation. These cars are dangerous. Unfortunately she still owes $8000 dollars on that car. If I get a used transmission it could just happen again. I had also noticed that her power steering was making a “whirling” noise when the car was shut off and from what I have read on the forums I am guessing that the power steering pump is also ready to go out. Please get somewhere with this suit. How do I join in???
How do we join the class action suit? My transmission just went and I only have 45k miles!!! 2005 mini cooper.
I purchased a 2007 mini with factory installed GPS. The GPS crashed when the break sensor activated. BMW’s fix is to simply install an new system at a cost of $2,500. They seem mystified at the possibility of a defective electrical system. Has anyone else had this issue? Am I the only fool who spent $2,500 on this option?
I own a 2004 Mini Cooper which caught on fire minutes after I exited the vehicle. I have noticed power steering problems but just filled up the resvoir. The car is considered a total loss.
My 40k miles 2004 automatic Mini Cooper just stall yesterday (4/8/11) when you put in reverse gear. I want to join the class action suit. Please let me know how I can join.
All is did was STALL??? What does that have to do with POWER STEERING????? Get a clue and learn how to drive…IT’S a USED CAR!!!YOU JUST BOUGHT SOMEONE ELSES PROBLEMS!!!DUH!!!
My 05 cooper’s steering died like all the others. 99k on the clock. Let me in on some recovery.
2005 Mini Cooper, been having the intermittent problems with the power steering for a year now. Mini refuses to address it calling it “an isolated problem” and telling me to spend over $1000 to have the pump replaced.
Last Sunday, Easter……I was on my way home from visiting my Mom. 70mph and all of a sudden I had no power steering. I have owned this Mini since June of 2010. In my research online and at the repair shop it was towed to, I have learned that there are 3 issues with the steering. Some of the comments above, concerning a whirring noise when the engine is shut off, is the power steering pumps cooling fan, NOT shutting off, due to a bad relay switch, which can catch the wiring on fire. If it quits before catching the wiring on fire, you should be able to find some of the wiring and plug for the fan, melted. Mine, apparently was shorting out, and killing the battery as I drove. The people who checked mine out, wondered why a 10 amp fuse was in the fuse box where a 5 amp fuse was supposed to be. I explained I had bought this less than a year ago……so obviously, the former owner had problems, traded it to a dealership here where I live…..after stuffing a 10 amp fuse in it. They couldn’t detect anything else as they worked on my car…….so I had to use my rental to go downstate to pick it up yesterday. The shop charged me $100 for the time spent on it, while also giving me a handful of 5 amp fuses, just in case. Well, I drove toward home, only to lose steering again……so I’m now having to take it into a local shop (NOT BMW OR COOPER!!!)……
The steering pump, online at carpartswarehouse.com…….is between $400 and $500……depending on if it’s remanufactured, or new. The steering pump cooling fan is $135. The shop that checked mine out said they charge $1500 to do the whole job……and NO. They aren’t a dealership.
I’d also like to find out how to join the suit. By the way….my Mini is an ’02 with 36,800 showing on the clock.
Just realized that in the last part of this story is a link highlighted in Blue. It says, complaint…….click on it to find the info about the attorneys handling this.
PLEASE tell me how to be part of this lawsuit.
My 2004 mini has the same steering problem.
It comes and goes. It almost got me killed.
I have an 04 cooper S, Lost the power steering in the middle of making a turn, almost hit a telephone pole. BMW nor the dealship gave a flying Sh!t. Cost me over 900 smackers out of pocket to get it fixed…Guess what…Not even 1 year later…Power steering out again!!! FML…I need to be apart of this lawsuit!! I need and want my money back…I gotta get it fixed again……
I also have an 2003 Mini Cooper with Steering Problems, at low speeds less than 15 mph it’s like driving a LOG WAGON. My Wife and I purchased the Car used last October, this is the first real problem we’ve had. I owned one in England several years ago. I was quite upset when I Learned that it would cost 1350 to fix it, and that wasn’t warranted. Please contact us, maybe we can recover some of the expense. Thanks
PLEASE tell me how to be part of this lawsuit.
My 2005 mini has the same steering problem.
A few days ago I experienced the loss of power steering and looked on-line to see what the problem may be. I was confronted with several sites touting this frequent occurrence in several years of Mini Coopers. I had my car repaired in the next few days to the tune of $1,090 at the dealer. When I spoke to the service tech about the many cases of this problem he said he knew about it and that Mini was debating a recall but that nothing has been decided yet. With the sheer number of similar cases, and involving a safety concern equal to Toyota’s acceleration problems, I can’t imagine what is taking so long for the NTSB to demand a recall and Mini to come clean. The folks at Mini have projected an image of love for their owners, show us the love.
Hi,
I bought a 2003 mini and I have had lots of problems with it.
The power steering failed soon after I bought the car. I replaced it with an used power steering; and it is still not working!
I would like more info about this lawsuit or what can I do to get some of my money back.
I live in Canada, near Montreal…
Thank you.
My power steering pump went out at 75K. Dealership wanted about $1300 to fix it. I bought new pump online for $450 and also bought new steering pump cooling fan ($50) and duct kit ($120) to keep fan protected. Did the work myself (took about 6 hours) and saved some bucks. Having read enough about this I’m in the camp that BMW should have issued a recall and replaced free of charge.
2005 S – the car was sitting in the parking lot of my workplace last Wednesday 7/27/2011 and the power steering pump relay failed and started an engine compartment fire 3 hours after being parked – and it was just sitting there! Thank god it wasn’t at night in my garage!
My 2002 Mini Cooper base model I bought last year had the power steering problem when I bought it. I will be driving along and all of a sudden the steering gets tight. If I pull over and turn the car off and then back on the steering is fine. I never know when it’s going to happen.
Our 2007 Mini Cooper burned up earlier today. It had been sitting idle for about 7 hours. Someone at th Park and Ride (where it was parked) reported smoke coming from the car. By the time the fire department arrived, it was engulfed in flames. Three other vehicles also were damaged, plus the asphalt was damaged. Thanks BMW for putting a really unsafe out on the road.
My mini Cooper Spontaneous Caught on FIRE.
Before all this happen, I took the car in for Service. I stated to the Service Advisor the car was not driving right and I’m sure some Services needs to be looked at. My Service tech puts the key into the card reader “Nope nothing showed up you good to go” I exit with a smile on my face never thinking twice, could be my mind playing car games.
Saturday 8/27/11 (10:30p) Car sitting from a drive to have dinner. Came home parked the and didn’t hear or notice anything.
Sunday 8/28/11 (4:00p)
Police came knocking on the door My car was on fire and Plantation FIRE DEPT was in the process of putting out the FIRE. The cause unknown. The fire Dept guy said ” from the looks of this incident, what’s seems to cause this was the electrical.
Flames were shooting 8′ft in the air. The car is totaled there’s no engine there’s nothing left besides the some Ashe, melted metal, there’s no windshield. All I can think about is my baby Daughter in the car while I was driving. BMW you caused me to DISLIKE MINIs.
Someone please contact me about this situation.
hmstewart5@gmail.com
http://youtu.be/Kvh5VOHHDtY
2005 Mini – bearings on power steering pump are shot. The colling fan operates so the problem is due to a defective pump.
2005 Mini -just found out bearings on power steering are bad- pump needs replacement. Have had all coolant fans replaced, a/c blower fan relaced, and a new transmission installed. I have pretty much paid for a new vehicle!! Not what I expected from BMW..
Hello I have an 04 mini cooper and have had it worked on lots of times one time the fuel line came off the engine and it pumped out a quarter tank of gas and stopped i open the hood and thanked god it didn’t burn down we had to push it into a parking lot and i called my wife to bring me some gas at 6 in the morning I then started doing my own work on my car. the steering has had its moments, I will say one thing about this little car it may be a ticking time bomb but it has steered me out of some bad situations I bought it new in 04
I have no problems with the failure of the pump itself. Parts will wear out. And, if you’re getting over 100K mile before the part dies you’re doing ok. My issue is with two things: the manner of the failure and the fact that it can happen again so quickly, and the failure by fire. The fact that the pump fails and there is absolutely no indication of failure until you try and turn the car is just plain dangerous, especially if it happens at highway speeds (for those who haven’t quite got it yet, the car WILL turn, but it takes great effort to make the steering wheel turn). At least if you knew there was a failure you could expect that steering would be difficult and could adapt by either turning hard or getting off the road if you don’t have the strength to make it turn. The other failure mode is just as bad. The fan fails and sets your car on fire!?! What if you’re one of those people who actually put their car in their garage? You lose your house because of a faulty car part? Not good. So, as I said, I accept that parts will go bad. The problem is the dangers inherent in the manner of the failures. Though, I do have to admit that thus far I’ve never had to replace any power steering parts on any car I’ve owned, even high mileage cars (over 200K miles) other than this one. Yes, my PS pump failed at 95K at highway speeds. While I was removing the failed pump I noticed that my car was on it’s second PS pump. It had previously failed sometime before 35K miles (I purchased the car used and it had 35K miles on it at the time).
And for a few other folks, I believe that simply by owning a Mini you are, by definition, part of the class action lawsuit.
One more thing. If you are reading this, be aware that you can get the pump rebuilt for significantly less than a new pump. At the time of this writing you can send the pump to bba-reman and get it rebuilt for $275. Significantly less the the $800 new price on the pump.
Hi,
My wife has a 2003 Mini Cooper that she bought three years ago with around 40,000 miles on it. The power steering failed shortly after purchase. It cost $2000 to repair. The shop said it was not under warranty. This past summer the transmission died at 53,000 miles — it was just out of warranty. That cost $8000 to fix. Ouch!
John
Any update on the class status or anything else on this lawsuit?
I would like to join the law suit my 2003 has lost the power steering also,A replacement is 525.00 for the part plus labor.Why won’t BMW recall this problem???
To all,
Click on the link above under “BMW Mini Cooper class action lawsuit complaint.” The attorney’s involved e-mail address and telephone numbers are listed on the class action lawsuit. I would definitely shoot an e-mail, inquire how to add your name into the list.
Hope this helps….
I’ve had my 2002 mini since March and I was driving one day on the Freeway/Interstate and almost ran into some one going 70 mph because I was changing lanes and without any warning realized I couldn’t turn the wheel. Luckly I was alone in car and wasn’t injured. I bought car under impression that BMW/mini are good cars and it would last a while, then this happen. I have a four year old, now afraid to drive car and can’t. Please help.
This just occurred to me today! 2003 mini with 84K. Mechanic said sudden powersteering pump failure which burned wires….$1,046 estimate! I called attorney’s representing class action and plan on joining. I also spoke with BMW North America who hinted that they may cover the costs and they were aware of the lawsuit and ongoing investigation by the National Highway Transportation and Safety Agency (NHTSA). BMW needs to step up and realize this is occuring way too often. When the incident occurred my car almost went up in flames. Luckily I disconnected the battery in time. My key wasn’t even in the ignition and the car started making mechanical sounds on it’s own like it was possessed.
I have a 2007 Mini-Cooper S. My steering tightened up on me completely as I was driving vehicle. I will contact North American again. First time was for cold start issues. One thing after another with only 38,00 miles on the engine. Gees!
Assuming this hasn’t been settled, how can I add my name to the settlement? My 2006 Mini almost caught on fire. Car was completely off when this occurred. The electrical connection on the steering pump melted or shorted out, which also took out my alternator and power steering line. Lots of smoke. Lots of $$$$$. But, definitely a dangerous situation.
Oops, just had to push up for the contact information.
you all have it wrong. what causes the failures it the cooling fan for the power steering pump. yes, it’s a crappy design. both the pump and the fan are electrical, the fan is exposed under thecar to debris, water, etc. the fan fails and then the pump overheats and soon fails as well. there is absolutely no warning or indication that the fan has quit. the first indication that soemthing is wrong is when the power steering suddenly quits. yes, it happened to me too. wher do I sign up for the suit. this cost me many hundreds.
every company that sels aftermaket parts for the Mini offer a sgeild to protect the cooling fan. it’s a worthwhile investment
I am the owner of the 2007 mini s . See above post. Still no definitive answer from BMW North American on whether they will cover all costs on this issue. Being the Steering Rack replacement and and labor. I feel like I am getting the run-around! First proposal was they pay for part (steering rack) and I pay for the labor. This is unacceptable! Defective to begin with. I have declined and requesting entire job to be covered by mini. Will keep you posted.
My husband’s Mini spontaneously caught on fire last week. A good Samaritan ran to a nearby bank to borrow their fire extinguisher, as the one that was in the car was too mini to do the job. I recommend a full size fire extinguisher for these cars. The car is not totaled, and our insurance will cover the damage except for the replacement of the faulty power steering pump. Thank goodness no-one was hurt, and it didn’t happen on the highway. We are waiting to hear back from Mini USA re whether they’ll pay for the replacement. From what I read here, it sounds like a No.
I looked into the status of the class action. Normally, a court has to certify a class action. Otherwise, the plaintiff is only allowed to bring a claim on his/her own behalf. (Although there can be more than one plaintiff). I did not see anything suggesting that this was accepted as a class action. Before that could happen, it appears that the sole plaintiff’s claim got dismissed in December 2011. The case was dismissed based solely on the pleadings, without it ever going to trial. I don’t know if they plan to appeal or try to re-write the pleadings.
http://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/new-jersey/njdce/2:2010cv05259/247735/31
My very mini condensation of the decision: The plaintiff failed to show fraud, and BMW’s advertisements about how safe and good Minis are was deemed mere “puffery”, not a real promise that the cars were not defective. And the plaintiff failed to show who knew about the alleged defect and when the alleged fraud occurred. And the warranty had expired. And the plaintiff failed to show that all or substantially all Minis had the defect.
The last of these kind of snagged me. If half of the Minis out there suddenly became un-steerable or caught on fire, they still would not need to warn us? We’d have to wait until substantially all Minis did this? I guess at that point, we’d already know.
I don’t know whether someone else might try to bring another lawsuit and certify another class action in a friendlier court.
Update: Mini is paying the cost of the replacement part.
Just replaced the power steering pump, power steering fen which destoyed my battery because the fan would not shut off. Mini USA would not do anything for me and my 2005 Mini with 69000 miles on it.
$1654 later, car runs mostly on my fumes of disgust with Mini USA.
suffering with automatic tranny issues and power steering issues!!!!how do I get in on this?
My wife and I bought a 2004 Mini Cooper with 60K miles about half a year ago. Several weeks ago I noticed that the powersteering stopped working after a long drive. Since I had read that the powersteering pump is electrical driven, I assumed that the battery must not generate enough power to drive the pump. We also had a starting problem before, which the dealer traced back to a low output of the battery.
I carefully drove without powersteering to a carshop. The battery was tested but was in good condition. The terminals were very corroded and we cleaned those. The powersteering was working again after this and I assumed it was the battery problem. Days later the powersteering stopped working again and I had the battery checked again, which turned out to be fine.
I started to research on the internet about Mini Cooper powersteering problems and found disturbing info.
After a long drive or when temperatures are high outside, the powersteering doesn’t work when I start the car. After a cooling period the powersteering works again.
I am very concerned that the powersteering will stop working while driving. The car is almost impossible to steer and is in my opion dangerous. I am worried that my wife would not be able to handle the car when the powersteering stops working. I can see an accident happen. Not even want to think about my stepson or friends in the car when this happens.
BMW seems to be failing on all fronts to adress this obvious problem. Their ignorance on this issue is not a fine moment.
NHTSA investigiation seems not to lead to anything either. This is a safety issue and are they not here to deal with situations like this?
Do involved parties close there eyes untill fatalities happen? Is profit and omitting acountablity more important than maybe loss of human live? Have we not had situations about that enough?
I also read that later models Mini Cooper have an airduct under the engine factory installed to force air to towards the powersteering pump in order to keep it cool and working. Is this adjustment not an indication that BMW knows about this problem?
How can I get into the lawsuit?
I have a 2004 mini, bought it about 6 months ago, 3months ago the powersteering would quit suddenly, if you turned the car off for a while and then restarted it the powersterring would work ok for a while then quit again. Then the battery would discharge after 2 days of non use. I want to join the Lawsuit so I can get the car fixed.
I owned a 2003 Mini Cooper S. It has only 38k miles on it. Power steering just stop functioning. Hard to make turns.
Can’t believe it.
I owned a 2003 Mini cooper. It has about 69k miles on it. The power steering stopped functioning. The dealer sailer my battery and alternator are bad. But I replaced them, the power steering still not work. Then the dealer diagnose again and said that the power steering pump falied. They ask $1400 to fix this problem. I hate MINI now!
I OWN A 2002 MINI COOPER S & THE POWER STERRING GOES OUT AFTER ABOUT 20 MILES OF DRIVING , I PARK THE CAR & AFTER ABOUT 30 MINS. IT COOLS DOWN & WORKS FINE FOR AWHILE UNTILL IT GETS TOO WARM AGAIN , DEALER WANTS $ 900.00 TO FIX . LOOKING FOR CHEAPER REPAIR NOW , HOPE LAWSUIT GOES THROUGH , LOTS OF DEFECTS OUT THERE , PUT ME IN WITH THE LAW SUIT THIS CANNOT CONTINUE TO FALL ON THE CONSUMER .
THANKYOU , HOPE WE ALL GET SOME HELP .
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