BMW Defective Ellipsoid Wheel Class Action Settlement

BMW has agreed to settle a class action lawsuit over allegedly defective Ellipsoid wheels. If you’ve ever owned or leased a BMW 6-Series equipped with Ellipsoid 121-Style wheels, you may be entitled to several benefits from the BMW Ellipsoid settlement, including free replacement tires and/or reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses.

The BMW class action lawsuit, entitled Shin et al. v. BMW of North America, LLC, alleges that Ellipsoid 121-Style wheels (pictured left) on BMW 6-Series vehicles are defective because they may sustain cracks during normal driving conditions, upon contact with certain road conditions, or due to road debris.

Class members eligible to receive benefits from the BMW Ellipsoid wheel class action lawsuit settlement include anyone who:

(I) Currently owns or leases, or previously owned or leased, a BMW 6-Series vehicle equipped with Ellipsoid 121-Style wheels; and

(II) Repaired or paid to replace the Ellipsoid 121-Style wheel due to a crack, and/or the tire on the wheel due to a total loss of air pressure as a result of a crack; and

(III) The crack occurred either during the (a) vehicle’s 4 year/50,000 miles new vehicle limited warranty period (whichever occurs first), or (b) two-year limited parts warranty period, whichever length of time is longer.

There are several benefits class members are eligible to receive if the BMW Ellipsoid class action settlement is approved:

(I) Reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses incurred to replaced class wheels before settlement receives final approval, up to a maximum of $520 per wheel.

(II) Free replacement of class wheels after settlement receives final approval.

(III) Free replacement of “repaired” class wheels.

(IV) Reimbursement for replacement tires, up to a maximum of 50% of the total costs incurred to replace a Run-Flat tire on a class wheel.

If you agree with the proposed class action settlement benefits, you do not need to do anything until after the Court decides whether to approve the settlement on March 14, 2011. If it is approved, you will have 120 days after the Effective Date of the settlement to submit a claim form to receive benefits.

If you disagree with the proposed BMW Ellipsoid settlement, you have until February 14, 2011 to file an objection or request for exclusion.

More information about your rights in the BMW 6-Series Ellipsoid Wheel Class Action Lawsuit Settlement can be found on the Settlement Administrator’s website. You can also track the progress of the Court’s decision on the settlement here.