MINI Sued in Florida Over CVT Defects

Jason Siu
by Jason Siu

A lawsuit has been filed in Florida against MINI for a “manufacturing defect” in its continuously variable transmissions (CVT) that is allegedly causing Cooper models to experience premature transmission failure.

Over the years, MINI has developed a reputation for carrying reliability issues with its early CVT Cooper models. The Florida lawsuit is just the most recent one filed, as other ones have also been filed in other states, further reinforcing that the idea that the automaker might have cut corners with its CVTs.

The models in question are the 2002-2006 MINI Cooper hardtops and 2005-2008 MINI Cooper Convertibles. The use of CVT transmissions have been heavily debated over the years, but automakers have recently turned to the technology to improve fuel efficiency.

[Source: Wall Street Journal]

Jason Siu
Jason Siu

Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.

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