2006 MINI COOPER Air Bags Problems

BMW issued a Recall 15V-205 Safety Recall, to cover the Airbag sensor in the passenger seat of my vehicle, a 2006 Mini Cooper S. The failure error was in the airbag sensor in the passenger seat, and the system warned of potential hazard with the passenger airbag. My car had a recall fix in 2018 for this fault. Now some 4 years later the same fault has arisen in the same sensor and system. I returned to BMW Mini who carried out the previous recall to have this fixed again. They said that while their repairs and parts generally carry an 8-year warranty, they do not warrant Recall repairs. They wanted over $2,000 to fix this issue. As this is a repeat of the original fault, and the car has under 100,000 miles I believe it should be covered, as their repair and or part has again failed. The date below is when I took it for the recall and was refused the warrenty repair.

Blindsided Drive side impact car ignited I was cut from my car suffering emence Injuries due to the malfunction of the airbags . No air bags deployed.

AIR BAG SERVICE LIGHT ON. *TR

Mileage: 187,900

CAR ACCIDENT CAUSE PROBLEMS , HAVING PROBLEMS WITH CLUTCH / FLYWHEEL WAS REPAIRED ONE TIME DRIVE SLOW WON'T MOVE FAST. NOT STEERING , HAS LEAKAGE , DAMAGE DENTS ON RIGHT SIDE FRONT END PAINT DAMAGES, NOT RIGHT COLOR. BACK BUMPER DAMAGE SCRATCHES , HATCHBACK LOCK NEEDS BE REPLACED. WHEELS DAMAGE LT RT . ABS SYMPTOM LIGHT ON, AIRBAG LIGHT ON, FRONT REAR HOOD LIGHT ON PROBLEMS NOT CLOSING. IN MOTION STREET .

Mileage: 141,342

THE SEAT SENSOR FOR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS REPLACED ONCE UNDER A RECALL. AFTER 2 YEARS, IT HAS FAILED AGAIN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE IS ONLY A TWO YEAR WARRANTY ON TEH PART. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT MAKES THE CARE UNSAFE AND UNUSABLE.

Mileage: 170,000

THE SEAT SENSOR FOR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS REPLACED ONCE UNDER A RECALL. AFTER 2 YEARS, IT HAS FAILED AGAIN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE IS ONLY A TWO YEAR WARRANTY ON TEH PART. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT MAKES THE CARE UNSAFE AND UNUSABLE.

Mileage: 170,000

THE SEAT SENSOR FOR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS REPLACED ONCE UNDER A RECALL. AFTER 2 YEARS, IT HAS FAILED AGAIN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE IS ONLY A TWO YEAR WARRANTY ON TEH PART. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT MAKES THE CARE UNSAFE AND UNUSABLE.

Mileage: 170,000

2006 MINI COOPER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PASSENGER FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT SENSOR FAILURE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A DETECTION MAT FAILURE. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE, BUT WAS IN ACCIDENT BEFORE IT COULD BE COMPLETED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE,THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A SKULL FRACTURE AND OTHER UPPER BODY DAMAGES. UPDATED 08/31/2017*JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,455.

Mileage: 92,455

I WAS A PASSENGER IN A MINI COOPER 2006, MY FRIEND WAS HIT HEAD ON BY A DRUNK DRIVER ON A CITY STREET. MY FRIEND'S MINI COOPER 2006 WAS TOTALED. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AS A RESULT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER MAT SENSOR DEFECT. I SUFFERED MULTIPLE INJURIES TO MY CHEST, HANDS, ARMS, AND NECK THAT ARE VERY SERIOUS.

Mileage: 57,988

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED THE NEXT DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE MECHANIC AND UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE ALTERNATOR FAILED AND WAS NOT REPLACED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE COOLING FAN ALSO FAILED TO FUNCTION, WHICH CAUSED THE RADIATOR TO BE REPLACED TWICE. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED AT A DIFFERENT TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

Mileage: 118,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT EITHER THE MAT SENSOR OR CONTROL MODULES WERE DEFECTIVE. UPDATED 03/23/16.*JB UPDATED 04/14/16*LJ *JS *LN*AS

Mileage: 61,160

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT NO LONGER DETECTED THAT A PASSENGER WAS OCCUPYING THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000.

Mileage: 85,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V20500 (AIR BAGS) BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 11/09/15*LJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO PROVIDE THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE REMEDY AND RECALL PART WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT AND THE AIR BAG DISABLED LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. IN APRIL 2015, THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE GIVEN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. MA 10/5 UPDATED 10/06/15*LJ *CN

Mileage: 100,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.UPDATED 10/19/15 *BF *CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN JUNE OF 2015, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED. AFTER CONTACTING BOTH THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Mileage: 80,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS POWERED ON, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS CONSISTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

AIR BAG SENSOR IN THE DETECTION MAT OF THE PASSENGER'S FRONT SEAT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE PASSENGER . THE AIR BAG LIGHT FOR THE PASSENGER IN THE FRONT PANEL IS INTERMITTENT, PUTTING AT RISK OF NOT DEPLOYING THE AIR BAG DURING AN ACCIDENT. THE LIGHT WILL COME UP EVEN WHEN I HAVE A PURSE ON THE SEAT OR WITH A FULL GROWN ADULT (OVER 150 POUNDS). I RECENTLY CALLED 2 LOCAL MINI DEALERS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (JULY 2015) REGARDING THIS AND BOTH STATED THE SAME: THAT THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE SPARE PART REQUIRED FOR THIS RECALL AND CANNNOT PERFORM UNTIL MINI PROVIDES THEM WITH AN AUTHORIZATION LETTER. CALLED IMMEDIATELY THE MINI CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE FOR RECALLS (1-866-825-1525) TO FIND OUT WHEN THIS WILL BE SOLVED SINCE THIS HAS BEEN ON ONGOING ISSUE SINCE MID 2014. MINI'S CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT WE NEEDED TO WAIT UNTIL A NEW RE-DESIGN OF THIS SENSOR IN THE DETECTION MAT IS AVAILABLE FROM THEM IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THIS SPARE PART TO THE DEALERS. IN THE MEANTIME, WE ARE PUTTING AT RISK ANY PASSENGER WHO WILL RIDE IN OUR CARS FOR AN ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN KNOWN BY MINI FOR OVER A YEAR!

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTAC STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,500. UPDATED 10/27/15. *JB

Mileage: 3,500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS) IN JUNE OF 2015. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL AUGUST OF 2015. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Mileage: 70,000

THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS MALFUNCTIONING ON MY MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE. IT SAYS ON THE MINI COOPER COMPLIANT LIST THERE IS AN ISSUE. THE DEALER SAYS ITS A SEAT PROBLEM, REQUIRING 1,800.00 FOR A NEW SEAT. THIS SITE SHOWS 14 OTHER CARS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I DON'T KNOW IF THE AIRBAG WILL TRULY WORK IF I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. NO RECALL HAS BE ISSUED AS OF 5-28-2015. PLEASE HELP US GET THIS FIXED.

Mileage: 80,000

PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINS ON. INSPECTION IS DUE 5/31/2015 SO I HAD IT DIAGNOSED BY MINI DEALER. DIAGNOSIS WAS A FAULT IN THE SENSOR SYSTEM IN A MODULE LOCATED IN THE DASHBOARD, BEHIND THE GLOVE BOX - REPAIR COST, $2,000+. THEY SAID THEY HAD NEVER BEFORE EXPERIENCED A FAILURE IN THIS PART. TO MY UNDERSTANDING, THIS IS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL IN PROCESS, WHICH HAS TO DO WITH THE SENSOR IN THE SEAT ITSELF (WHICH I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED, DECEMBER 2012.).

Mileage: 66,865

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP CONTINUED TO FLICKER OFF AND ON EVEN THOUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000. UPDATED 5/26/15*CN UPDATED 05/29/15*JB

Mileage: 23,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

Mileage: 45,000

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT (PASSENGER SIDE) ON THE DASHBOARD CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY AT FIRST AND NOW STAYS ON ALL OF THE TIME, REGARDLESS IF SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OR NOT. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL MINI DEALER (INTERNATIONAL AUTOS, MILWAUKEE, WI) AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A "FAULTED AIR BAG OC3 MAT" THAT COULD BE REPAIRED/REPLACED FOR $1163.00. AS THIS WAS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE UNRELATED TO THE AGE OR ACCUMULATED MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE, I FELT THAT MINI USA SHOULD AUTHORIZE A NO-COST REPAIR OR, AT A MINIMUM, PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT PART(S) AT NO COST. THE COST TO REMEDY OTHER WEAR-RELATED ISSUES NOTED DURING THE INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE ARE CLEARLY MY RESPONSIBILITY. A SUBSEQUENT PHONE CONVERSATION WITH MINI USA ON 01/27/2015 DISCLOSED THAT, WHILE THIS WAS AN LEGITIMATE VEHICLE SAFETY ISSUE, THEY DID NOT FEEL THAT THIS WAS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY AND THAT I SHOULD PAY THE ENTIRE AMOUNT NECESSARY TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE DEFECT. *TR

Mileage: 94,410

I NOTICED THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT IN THE PASSENGER SIDE CAME ON, I KEPT AN EYE ON IT AND AT FIRST IT WOULD GO ON AND OFF. THEN IT GOT WORSE, IT WOULD GO ON AND OFF WHEN I WOULD HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD. NOW ITS ALWAYS ON, I RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND I FOUND THIS SITE W/OVER 130 COMPLAINTS ON IT. I SEE THAT BMW HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND DID A RECALL OF ALL AIRBAG ISSUES. MINI IS MADE BY BMW WHY WOULD THEY NOT COVER ANY YEAR THAT HAS THE SAME AIRBAG PROBLEM. I'M A TEENAGER AND CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX THE ISSUE THAT'S APPROX $1,500-2,000. OR DO I WAIT TILL MY FRIEND OR SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT, OR EVEN WORSE DIES FROM THIS PROBLEM. FOR BMW AND THE COST OF THEIR CARS THIS IS SMALL POTATOES FOR THEM. FOR ME TO FIX IT MIND AS WELL BE A MILLION DOLLARS, OR THE COST OF A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER..GOD FORBID!!! IF THERE'S THIS MANY COMPLAINTS THEN SHOULDN'T THE MANUFACTURER BE HELD RESPONSIBLE? THEY HAD A RECALL UNTIL 05, OBVIOUSLY THE PROBLEM STILL CONT. INTO 06 AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED. THEY MADE THE CAR, SO I GUESS THEY ALSO MADE THE MISTAKE..CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TAKE SOME RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SEAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

Mileage: 63,000

THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR WENT ON IN MY MINI COOPER. I NOTICED THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE. I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING COMPONENTS IN THE MINI COOPER, WHICH AGAIN SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE. I AM CONCERNED REGARDING ALL THE AIR BAG RECALLS, BUT AT 1,7K TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SEAT; THAT IS QUITE A BURDEN UPON A TIGHT BUDGET. I JUST WANTED TO USE THIS WEBSITE AS A PLACE WHERE I HAVE DOCUMENTED THESE ISSUES, SO THAT IF THERE IS A INSURANCE CLAIM DOWN THE ROAD, BECAUSE OF THESE FAULTY ISSUE, I HAVE A DOCUMENTED COMPLAINT. *TR

Mileage: 45,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Mileage: 80,000

THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT. THE BMW DEALER SAID THAT THE SEAT SENSOR WAS FAULTY. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

Mileage: 50,000

RIGHT SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANCY PAD SENSOR CAUSES AIRBAG LIGHT TO STAY ON. THE SENSOR HAS BEEN TESTED AND IS INOPERATIVE. BMW HAS A RECALL FOR ALL THEIR VEHICLES WITH THE SAME SENSOR. MINI COOPER NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS FAULTY DESIGN AND HAVE TO REPLACE THE OCCUPANCY SEAT SENSOR AT NO COST TO THE OWNERS. THIS REPAIR COST AROUND $1300.00. IF THIS IS NOT REPAIRED IT COULD PREVENT THE AIR BAGS FROM DEPLOYING. *TR

Mileage: 83,000

AS MANY OTHER MINI OWNERS HAVE REPORTED, MY SRS LIGHT IS ON AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IS CONTINUOUSLY OFF (LIGHT STAYS ON). I HAVE NO IDEA IF I AM DRIVING WITH OR WITHOUT AIRBAGS. *JS $1,500 TO FIX AT DEALER. MINI DID A RECALL ON MODELS UP TO 2005.

Mileage: 91,786

PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT ON MY 2006 MINI COOPER, ABOVE REARVIEW MIRROR STAYS ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY, WHETHER THE PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED OR NOT. AFTER CALLING THE NEARBY MINI COOPER DEALER, AND TALKING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER HE SAID YES WE HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THEM. HOWEVER THERE IS NO RECALL OUT FOR 2006 MINI AIRBAG PROBLEMS BUT THERE HAS BEEN FOR OTHER MODEL YEARS. SAID THE SENSOR AND THE WHOLE SEAT MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED, BRING IT IN AND IT WILL RUN YOU ABOUT $1200 TO $1600. I ASKED DOES IT MEAN MY AIRBAG WILL NOT FUNCTION IF I HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THE SERVICE MANAGER LAUGHED IN A CAVALIER MANNER "WELL YOU ALWAYS HAVE YOUR SEAT BELT." AFTER MONTHS WAITING FOR AN OFFICIAL RECALL, CALLED THE NATIONAL MINI CUSTOMER RELATIONS WHO ACTED VERY NON CHALANT AND GOT NO WHERE. WENT TO A LOCAL EUROPEAN CAR REPAIR SPECIALIST WHO USED A COMPUTER SCANNER THAT SAID THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE. HE THEN USED A BRAND NEW SCANNER AND THIS TIME IT SAID THE DRIVER SIDE IS DEFECTIVE. SAID GO ON THE INTERNET I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THE MINI AIRBAG PROBLEMS. WAS SHOCKED TO SEE THOUSANDS, MANY WHO DID SPEND THE LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY AND THE PROBLEMS KEEPS RECURRING. MINI NEEDS TO EXTEND THE AIRBAG WARRANTY TO 150,000 MILES AT LEAST FOR 12 YEARS. SOMEONE IS GOING TO SUFFER SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH IN A SMALL CAR THAT DEFINITELY NEEDS ALL THE AIRBAG PROTECTION AVAILABLE. $1600 IS LOT OF MONEY FOR A DEALER FIX THAT DOES NOT SEEM TO WORK. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

MY OCCUPANCY SENSOR 2 MAT IS BAD ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT HE THOUGHT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PART, OTHERWISE IT WILL BE ABOUT $1400 TO REPLACE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE SENSOR IS UNABLE TO READ WHETHER OR NOT A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT. *TR

Mileage: 111,380

OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT BAD AND PASSENGER AIR BAG DISABLED LIGHT ON. A KNOWN ISSUE AND BMW AUTOS AND SUVS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE. I BELIEVE THE MINI PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT IS THE SAME DESIGN AS THE BMW 3 SERIES AND SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, THIS DISABLES THE PASSENGER AIRBAG PUTTING A PASSENGER IN DANGER. THE BMW RECALL CAMPAIGN IS NO. 13V-564. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR STOP WORKING- CAUSING AIR BAG IN PASSENGER SEAT TO SHUT OFF. NO WAY TO OVERRIDE AND SEAT SENSOR COST OVER $1300 TO REPLACE. I UNDERSTAND THIS VERY COMMON WITH COOPERS IN THIS DATE RANGE. VERY SIMILAR SEAT SENSORS FOR THE BMW MODEL HAS BEEN RECALLED BUT NOT THE VERSION FOR THE MINI THAT IS FAILING. SEEMS LIKE DESIGN FLAW THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

Mileage: 46,000

AIRBAG SENSOR FAILURE IN PASSENGER SEAT. PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. *TR

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AFTER SMALL PASS USED THE SEAT AND DID NOT GO OFF. AFTER THAT THE LIGHT WOULD GO OFF FOR A WHILE AND THEN COME BACK ON. I HAD IT LOOKED BY MY MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE SEAT MAT. HE CLEARED THE LIGHT AND IT LASTED FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. THE COST OF THE PART TO HIM WAS 1400.00 PLUS LABOR. I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM FOR MY 2006 BMW. I RECEIVED ANOTHER LETTER FROM BMW AND MISS READ IT THINKING IT WAS FOR THE MINI COOPER. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE MINI COOPER DEALER IN MY AREA (RALEIGH NC) AND WAS TOLD WHEN I SHOWED UP THAT THE PART WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. I DID NOT HAVE THE SEAT REPLACED AT MY COST SINCE IT IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE CAUSED BY A FACTORY DEFECT. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW IT CAN BE A COVERED DEFECT IN ONE BMW PRODUCT AND NOT IN ANOTHER WHEN IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR SRS LIGHT FAILED WHILE ONE OF MY FRIEND WAS TRYING TO BE SEATED IN MY CAR. *TR

Mileage: 72,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE FLOOR SENSOR MAT. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

Mileage: 84,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC WHICH LOCATED A FAILURE CODE AT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR. THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,200.

Mileage: 65,000

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON DASH IS ILLUMINATED AFTER MOVING PASSENGER SEAT BACK AND FORTH. UNABLE TO CLEAR THE LIGHT. *TR

Mileage: 106,000

PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR HAS TRIGGERED THE RED AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. CURRENTLY I AM DRIVING A VEHICLE WITHOUT OPERATING AIRBAGS AS IT IS $1,000 FOR THE PART. IT WAS ALREADY REPLACED TWICE IN THE PAST UNDER WARRANTY. I READ THAT BMW JUST ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR FOR THEIR CARS BUT NOT THE MINI WHICH IS OWNED BY BMW. HOPEFULLY I AM NOT GOING TO FAST WHEN THE POWER STEERING MOTOR BURNS OUT... *TR

Mileage: 80,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

Mileage: 75,000

MY 2006 MINI COOPER AIR BAG LIGHTS (PASSENGER SEAT LIGHT AS WELL AS DASH BOARD AIR BAG SYSTEM LIGHTS) ARE INTERMITTENTLY COMING ON AND STAYING ON WHEN I START MY MINI. THE DASHBOARD LIGHT APPARENTLY COMES ON WHEN A FAULT IS DETECTED IN THE AIRBAG SYSTEM, AND AS A RESULT THE SYSTEM IS DEACTIVATED. THIS IS VERY SERIOUS SINCE I'M NOW DRIVING IN A MINI COOPER WITH NO AIRBAG PROTECTION. THE SEAT LIGHT INDICATES THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS TURNED OFF DUE TO SOMEONE OF LIGHT WEIGHT SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS LIGHT IS NOW COMING ON WITH ANY AVERAGE ADULT OR NO ONE AT ALL SITTING IN THAT SEAT. I DECIDED TO CHECK THE INTERNET FOR THIS ISSUE AND WAS SHOCKED TO SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. EVEN MORE SHOCKING WAS REPAIR COST FOR THIS ISSUE. DEALERS ARE CHARGING CUSTOMERS $1000 TO $2000 TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR WHICH APPEARS TO BE THE MOST COMMON CULPRIT. INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE SENSOR ITSELF, THE ENTIRE SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. EVEN SAW SOME CUSTOMERS HAD THE SAME ISSUE REOCCUR 1 TO 2 YEARS AFTER THIS FIX. SPOKE TO MY LOCAL BMW/MINI DEALERSHIP WHO ACKNOWLEDGED THAT BMW HAD THE SAME ISSUE WHICH IS NOW UNDER RECALL, BUT MINI DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED ... SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED BECAUSE OF IT! I LOVE MINI BUT AM HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED WITH HOW THIS ISSUE IS BEING HANDLED. MY DAUGHTER WANTS TO BUY A MINI ... I WILL STRONGLY RECOMMEND SHE DOES NOT. *TR

Mileage: 75,000

THE SEAT SENSOR IS FAULTY. IT READS THAT SOMEONE UNDER 30LBS IS IN IT (DISABLING THE AIRBAG) THE DASH LIGHT VERIFIES IT IS OFF. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT TO THIS DAY. SO IF A CRASH OCCURS THE SENSOR WON'T READ CORRECTLY IF ANYONE IS IN THE SEAT OR NOT, THE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY AND IF IT DOES WILL DO SO POSSIBLY WITH TOO MUCH FORCE. *TR

Mileage: 36,363

THE RED AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. IT WON'T GO OUT. THE MINI DEALER IN BIRMINGHAM SAID IT'S NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. MINI USA SAID THE SAME THING. HOWEVER, BMW RECALLED THEIR 2006 MODELS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. SEVERAL OTHER MINI OWNERS ARE REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE OWNERS' MANUAL STATES THAT THE AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH IF THE WARNING LIGHT IS ON. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AND MINI USA NEEDS TO ADDRESS IT. *TR

Mileage: 75,500

THE BMW MINI COOPER 2006 HAS THE SAME SAFETY PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED IN THE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : EA08001, NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER : 08V384000 BUT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE VEHICLE RECALL LIST. THERE ARE MANY MANY OWNERS HAVING TO PAY $1000 - $2000 FOR REPAIRS CONCERNING DEFECTS TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. THE BROKEN CIRCUIT CAN LEAD TO THE DEACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE ILLUMINATION OF BOTH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIR LIGHT. THE REPAIR OF THE DETECTION MAT FORCES THE REPLACEMENT OF THE PASSENGER SEAT. MY VEHICLE IS NOW ONE OF THE INCREASINGLY LARGE NUMBER OF MINI COOPERS WITH THE FAILED SAFETY SYSTEM. MANY STATES HAVE YEARLY SAFETY INSPECTIONS AND THE AIRBAG SAFETY SITUATION NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED BEFORE THE INSPECTION PASSES. THE MINI COOPER "R" SERIES VEHICLES NEED TO BE ADDED INTO THE EA08-001 NHTSA RECALL 08V384000. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

THE BMW MINI COOPER 2006 HAS THE SAME SAFETY PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED IN THE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : EA08001, NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER : 08V384000 BUT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE VEHICLE RECALL LIST. THERE ARE MANY MANY OWNERS HAVING TO PAY $1000 - $2000 FOR REPAIRS CONCERNING DEFECTS TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. THE BROKEN CIRCUIT CAN LEAD TO THE DEACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE ILLUMINATION OF BOTH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIR LIGHT. THE REPAIR OF THE DETECTION MAT FORCES THE REPLACEMENT OF THE PASSENGER SEAT. MY VEHICLE IS NOW ONE OF THE INCREASINGLY LARGE NUMBER OF MINI COOPERS WITH THE FAILED SAFETY SYSTEM. MANY STATES HAVE YEARLY SAFETY INSPECTIONS AND THE AIRBAG SAFETY SITUATION NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED BEFORE THE INSPECTION PASSES. THE MINI COOPER "R" SERIES VEHICLES NEED TO BE ADDED INTO THE EA08-001 NHTSA RECALL 08V384000. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT WAS OCCUPIED WHEN THE AIR BAG DEACTIVATED WARNING MESSAGE DISPLAYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER REPLACED THE SEAT MAT SENSOR BUT THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, WHICH CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE SEAT MAT SENSOR. THE DEALER DID NOT REPLACE THE SEAT MAT SENSOR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

Mileage: 45,000

THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS CONTINUOUSLY LIT ON MY 2006 MINI COOPER. INITIALLY THE LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENTLY ON; HOWEVER NOW IT REMAINS PERMANENTLY LIGHT. THE DEALER HAS INDICATED THAT THE PASSENGER OC3 MAT IS FAULTY AND WILL BE REQUIRE A $1,000+ FIX. INTERNET SEARCHES HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THE SAME ISSUE HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES ON SOME VEHICLES, EVEN AFTER BEING REPAIRED WITH NEW PARTS. ADDITIONALLY, BMW, THE PARENT COMPANY OF MINI, HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH THEIR BMW VEHICLES AND A RECALL WAS ISSUED. MINI OFTEN USES BMW PARTS IN THEIR VEHICLES SO IT IS POSSIBLE AND QUITE LIKELY THAT SIMILAR PARTS WERE USED. THIS IS A GENUINE SAFETY ISSUE AND ONE THAT IS WIDE SPREAD WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. *TR

THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE SENSOR UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS BROKEN. THIS IS A VERY WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH MINI'S BEGINNING WITH THE 2002 MODEL, BUT ESPECIALLY WITH THE 2006. BMW WHICH OWNS MINI HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME YEAR CAR AND ISSUED A RECALL, BUT MINI NEVER DID. THE DEALER WANTS $1500 TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT OTHERS WITH THE SAME CAR HAVE HAD THE PART BREAK AS MANY AS THREE TIMES. THE SENSOR IS TO DETECT THAT THERE IS A PASSENGER AND THE WEIGHT OF THE PASSENGER SO THAT THE FORCE OF THE AIRBAG CAN BE REGULATED IF A CHILD OR CHILD CAR SEAT IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. IT IS UNSCIONABLE THAT MINI WOULD JEOPARDIZE SAFETY AFTER THEY HAVE KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS. CUSTOMER RELATIONS AT MINI USA WAS UNWILLING TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 35,680

IN ADDITION TO MY PREVIOUS POST, MORE INFORMATION ON THIS SITUATION, THIS NOTE SENT TO MINIUSA.COM, MY 2006 MINI COOPER HAS THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ABOVE THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND IS GENERATING AN ERROR 71, PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR FAULT. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THIS IS DUE TO A FAULTY SENSOR MAT UNDER THE SEAT. FROM MY RESEARCH I SEE THAT THIS HAS BEEN COVERED UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE OC3 SEAT MAT SENSOR WHICH IS USED IN BMW AS WELL AS MINI MODELS. I AM REQUESTING THAT THIS SENSOR BE REPLACED IN MY MINI COOPER AS I FEAR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE DOCUMENTED FAULTY SENSOR. THE RECALL IS STATED AT HTTP://WWW.BMWUSA.COM/STANDARD/CONTENT/CONTACTUS/VOLUNTARYRECALL.ASPX, *TR

Mileage: 64,300

THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON AND DEALER HAS SAID THE SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT IS BAD AND THE PAD AND SENSOR MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1400. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT A CAR THIS POPULAR HAS THIS KIND OF SAFETY ISSUE. I WOULD EXPECT MINI TO AT THE VERY LEAST TO COVER THE COST OF THE PAD OR SENSOR. UNBELIEVABLE. *JB

Mileage: 77,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT COVER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,160.

Mileage: 43,160

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

Mileage: 65,000

RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2006 MINI COOPER FOR MY TEEN CHILD. WE NOW DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG NOTIFICATION SHOULD NOT BE ON. WE TOOK IT TO A BMW DEALER TO HAVE THIS LOOKED, AND WE WERE TOLD THAT IT'S DUE TO A FAULTY PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT BOTTOM REQUIRING A REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF $1700. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I SEE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THIS COULD BE SAFETY CONCERN, AND I BELIEVE THAT BMW SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM CORRECTED. I AM NOT SURE IF THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY IF A PASSENGER IS SEATED. THIS IS A SITUATION THAT NEEDS TO BE REMEDIED THROUGH A RECALL. MINI SHOULD EXTENDED THEIR AIRBAG SYSTEM WARRANTY. *TR

Mileage: 139,400

I HAD TO GO AHEAD AND HAVE THE AIR BAG SENSORS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT REPLACED LAST WEEK, BECAUSE I WILL HAVE A PASSENGER ON A TRIP TO UTAH SOON. WHEN I COMPLAINED TO ONE OF THE SERVICE PEOPLE, THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS RARELY USED, HE STARTED BLOVIATING AS TO HOW HEAT CAN BREAK DOWN THE MATERIALS IN THE SENSORS. *TR

Mileage: 62,000

FROM MY RESEARCH, THE 2006 MINI HAS A FAULTY PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT BOTTOM REQUIRING A REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF OVER $1000. SINCE 2006 WAS THE FIRST YEAR FOR THIS REQUIREMENT, I BELIEVE THEY DID NOT PROPERLY TEST THE DEVICE BEFORE RELEASING THEM INTO PRODUCTION AS I HAVE RESEARCHED AND READ ON MANY FAILURES OF THIS DEVICE. I CANNOT DETERMINE CONCLUSIVELY IF THE AIRBAG WILL OR WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THIS SITUATION AND MINI WILL BE LIABLE IN A SITUATION IF IT DOES NOT DEPLOY THE AIRBAG PROPERLY WITH A PASSENGER SEATED. THIS IS A SITUATION THAT NEEDS TO BE REMEDIED THROUGH A RECALL. MINI EXTENDED THEIR AIRBAG SYSTEM WARRANTY ON THE 2002 - 2005 MODELS TO 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES AND SHOULD DO THE SAME FOR THE 2006+ MODELS. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

AIR BAG LIGHT WENT ON FOR NO REASON, IT IS DUE TO A FAULTY SENSOR THAT MINI IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO CORRECT. I DON'T HAVE 1700 DOLLARS TO REPLACE PASSENGER SEAT - SO ALL PASSENGERS WILL BE AT RISK WHEN I DRIVE, AS THE AIR BAG WON'T DEPLOY OR WILL DEPLOY AT FULL FORCE. *TR

Mileage: 42,500

MY CAR IS A 07/2006 MINI COOPER WITH ONLY 22,900 MILES AS OF 06/2013. WHEN SOMEONE IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DISABLED LIGHT ARE INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE MINI DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE FAULT CODES INDICATE AN ISSUE WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR--WHICH SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE COST CITED FOR THAT OPERATION WAS $900. THE DEALERSHIP SPECULATED THAT, DESPITE THE INDICATOR LIGHTS, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SHOULD STILL DEPLOY IF THE PASSENGER WAS WEARING HIS SEAT BELT. HOWEVER, WHEN BMW, MANUFACTURER OF MINI, ANNOUNCED A RECALL IN NORTH AMERICA OF FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT SENSOR MATS INVOLVING APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MODEL YEAR 2004-06 BMWS, AFFECTED OWNERS WERE WARNED THAT THEY SHOULD CONTACT THEIR DEALER "IF THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG 'ON-OFF' LAMP ARE ILLUMINATED SIMULTANEOUSLY." IN THAT SITUATION, BMW RECOMMENDED THAT CUSTOMERS NOT USE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED IMMEDIATELY, WARNING THAT "A POSSIBLE DEFECT MAY KEEP THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG FROM OPENING IN A CRASH." THUS, IT SEEMS EVIDENT THAT FAULTY SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSORS SHOULD BE REGARDED AS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. YET, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS, WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEMS WITH THE SENSORS IN THE MINI, BMW HAS NEITHER EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO FINANCIALLY COMPENSATE OWNERS FOR AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURER DEFECT, NOR ISSUED A RECALL. THE NHTSA SHOULD COMPEL BMW TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF MINI PASSENGERS. *TR

Mileage: 22,800

FROM MY RESEARCH, THE 2006 MINI HAS A FAULTY PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT BOTTOM REQUIRING A REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF OVER $1000. SINCE 2006 WAS THE FIRST YEAR FOR THIS REQUIREMENT, I BELIEVE THEY DID NOT PROPERLY TEST THE DEVICE BEFORE RELEASING THEM INTO PRODUCTION AS I HAVE RESEARCHED AND READ ON MANY FAILURES OF THIS DEVICE. I CANNOT DETERMINE CONCLUSIVELY IF THE AIRBAG WILL OR WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THIS SITUATION AND MINI WILL BE LIABLE IN A SITUATION IF IT DOES NOT DEPLOY THE AIRBAG PROPERLY WITH A PASSENGER SEATED. THIS IS A SITUATION THAT NEEDS TO BE REMEDIED THROUGH A RECALL. MINI EXTENDED THEIR AIRBAG SYSTEM WARRANTY ON THE 2002 - 2005 MODELS TO 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES AND SHOULD DO THE SAME FOR THE 2006+ MODELS. *TR

Mileage: 62,500

AIR BAG LIGHT ABOVE REAR VIEW MIRROR ILLUMINATES WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATED. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AND FOUND MANY OTHERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE, BUT HAVE NOT DISCOVERED A RECALL OR ANY INFORMATION TO MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. SEEMS IT SHOULD BE FIXED AS THEY DID WITH THE 2002 MODEL, COVERING THE REPAIR TO 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES. *TR

PURCHASED CAR USED. WHEN PASSENGER SITS IN FRONT SEAT, AIRBAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY GOES ON AND OFF AND THEN STAYS ON. HAVE SEARCHED ONLINE AND THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR IS LIKELY BROKEN AND IS A $1500 FIX AT THE DEALER. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY MANUFACTURER. *TR

Mileage: 107,850

PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG FAILED. SEAT PASSENGER DETECTOR FAILURE IS CAUSE. A REVIEW OF ON LINE TROUBLE SITES SHOW THIS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WHICH MANUFACTURER DENIES AND DELAYS REPAIR. THOUGH MINI HAS MULTIPLE REPORTS OF THIS, THEY REFUSE TO REPAIR AS THEY STATE "OUT OF WARRANTY". THIS IS A BASIC SAFETY FEATURE WHICH IS FLAWED AND SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO IMMEDIATE AND BROAD RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 48,000

DURING THE PAST COUPLE WEEKS, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT WOULD COME ON. AT TIMES IT WOULD STAY ON FOR A LONG PERIOD, OTHER TIMES NOT AS LONG. THIS WEEK THE SEAT BELT INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON AFTER A PASSENGER LEFT THE CAR AND THE ALARM SOUNDED FOR APX. 10 MINUTES UNTIL I STOPPED AND SHUT OFF THE CAR. THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ALSO CAME ON. I TOOK IT FOR SERVICING TODAY BUT THE GARAGE COULD NOT GET ANY CODES FROM THE SRS CONTROL UNIT. *TR

Mileage: 60,060

PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SEAT WEIGHT SENSOR BEGAN TO INTERMITTENTLY TRIP PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT AND AIR BAG LIGHT. ADJUSTING WEIGHT ON SEAT WOULD INITIALLY EXTINGUISH; HOWEVER, PROBLEM IS NOW CONSTANT. COST PROHIBITIVE TO REPLACE. *TR

Mileage: 58,300

DRIVING ALONG AT 30 MPH WHEN AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND OVER HEAD PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND OFF. HAD PASSENGER SEAT BOTTOM REPLACED ONLY TO HAVE THE LIGHT COME BACK ON 3 DAYS LATER. I HAVE HAD THE SYSTEM CHECKED 3 TIMES ( WITH LIGHT TURNED OFF WHEN RETURNED) ONLY TO HAVE THE LIGHT COME BACK ON A FEW DAYS LATER. *TR

Mileage: 45,676

PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WON'T GO OFF. I DO NOT KNOW IF THE AIRBAGS WILL WORK IN A ACCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR FAILED AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON AND THE AIRBAGS IN THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AND DRIVER MAY BE DEACTIVATED AND NOT WORK IN A CRASH. MINI IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM HAS CHOSE TO IGNORE IT. IT IS A GREAT SAFETY HAZARD. MY WIFE HAS REFUSED TO RIDE IN THE CAR OR LET ANYONE ELSE RIDE IN IT. *TR

Mileage: 58,000

MY 2006 MINI COOPER HAD A AIR BAG LIGHT JUST TURN ON ABOUT A WEEK AGO FOR NO REASON FOR WHAT I CAN TELL. I CALLED MY MINI DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS PROBABLY A WORN OUT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR. THEY SAID IT WOULD COST ABOUT $900-1000 TO REPLACE THE SEAT AND THE SENSOR. OUR MINI ONLY HAS A LITTLE OVER 50K MILES AND 50% OF THOSE MILES THERE WASN'T ANYONE EVER SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT TO WARE IT OUT. I HAVE SEEN ON SEVERAL OTHER FORUMS THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN CORRECTED BY BMW BUT NOT BY MINI. I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON ALL MINI'S AS I HAVE SEEN THAT HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 56,000

THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. WE CONTACTED THE DEALER WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THERE WAS NO RECALL. THEY HAD REPAIRED THIS PREVIOUSLY UNDER WARRANTY. WE THEN CONTACTED MINI USA AND THEY SAID OUR VIN# WAS NOT LISTED FOR A RECALL. I MENTIONED THERE ARE MINI COOPERS IN FORUMS ALL OVER THE INTERNET WITH AIRBAG LIGHT ISSUES. *TR

Mileage: 82,000

WHEN I STARTED MY VEHICLE, 2006 MINI COOPER, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON THERE WAS NO ONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AT THE TIME. THERE WAS AN AUGUST, 2008 BMW RECALL ON 150,000 2002-2006 MINI COOPER'S FOR THIS SAME PASSENGER LIGHT AIRBAG ISSUE. BMW EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 10 YEARS ON ALL OF THESE RECAILED VEHICLES BY VIN#. I HAD THIS DIAGNOSED BY A BMW SERVICE CENTER & A FAULTY PASSENGER SENSOR PAD IN THE PASSENGER SEAT IS CAUSING THE ISSUE. THE SENSOR PAD IS ATTACHED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PASSENGER SEAT SO BOTH ITEMS HAVE TO BE REPLACED WHICH WILL COST APPROX.$1,200. I SPOKE TO MINI USA & MY VIN# WAS NOT ON THE 2008 RECALL. I THEN ASKED MINI USA HOW DO I GET MY VIN# ON THE RECALL LIST & WAS TO TOLD TO GO TO THIS WEBSITE & FILE A COMPLAINT. AFTER YOUR INVESTIGATION, MINI USA TOLD ME THAT YOU CAN HAVE MY VEHICLE VIN# ADDED TO THE AUGUST, 2008 RECALL. MINI USA WAS ALSO UNABLE TO TELL ME IF MY PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG WILL PROPERLY DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A ACCIDENT. I CONSIDER THIS AN EXTREMELY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE (POSSIBLE DEATH) IF THE AIRBAG DOES NOT PROPERLY DEPLOY BECAUSE OF A FAULTY PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR PAD! PLEASE HELP.....THANKS *TR

Mileage: 27,933

THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND STAYED ON. AT FIRST THE LIGHTS WERE COMING ON AND OFF NOW THEY JUST STAY ON. NO INCIDENTS ON A WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE. BOTH A MINI DEALERSHIP AND ANOTHER MECHANIC BOTH SAY IT IS THE AIR BAG WEIGHT SENSOR IN THE SEAT AND THAT THE SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Mileage: 54,000

PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR WARNING LIGHT IS LIGHTING UP. THIS HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS A RESULT OF A DEFECTIVE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR. THERE WAS NO INCIDENT THAT CAUSED THIS. IT JUST WENT BAD. THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE FOR MIN AND BMW BUT THEY ARE NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY TO REPLACE THE SENSOR WHICH RUNS ANYWHERE FROM $900 TO $1600 TO BE REPAIRED. THIS AUTOMOBILE HAS BEEN VERY WELL MAINTAINED HAS LESS THAN 60K MILES AND IS A ONE OWNER. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAVE GONE BAD OTHER THAN THE PART MUST BE OF POOR QUALITY OR DESIGN. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND MINI USA SHOULD STEP UP AND RESOLVE THIS FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS. *TR

Mileage: 59,000

THE AIRBAGS LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON AT ALL. DOING RESEARCH I FOUND THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM! AND APPARENTLY MINI USA IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY OF IT. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

AIR BAG SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS RETURNED FAULT CODE 71. TECH CHECK ON SRS SYSTEM FOUND PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTOR FAULT. PASSENGER AIR BAG SYSTEM IS DISABLED AS A RESULT. ESTIMATED REPAIR COST IS $1200. INTERNET SEARCHES FOUND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH MINI COOPER'S AND MINI REFUSES TO COVER WHEN OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR

Mileage: 91,139

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT INDICATES THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM. THE LIGHT ILLUMINATES CONTINUOUSLY WHETHER A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT OR NOT INDICATING THAT THE AIRBAG IS TURNED OFF FOR THE PASSENGER. MINI COOPER DENIES ANY PROBLEM WITH THEIR SAFETY AIRBAG SYSTEM, YET THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED SHORTLY AFTER THE WARRANTY RAN OUT. *TR

Mileage: 81,662

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT INDICATES SYSTEM IS EITHER OFF OR INOPERATIVE - IT DOES NOT MATTER IF SOMEONE IS SITTING ON THE PASSENGER SEAT OR NOT. THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. AFTER REVIEWING NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON MINI FORUMS, IT APPEARS THAT THE PROBLEM IS COMMON AND DUE TO A DEFECTIVE SENSOR UNDER THE SEAT COVER. SINCE I RARELY CARRY PASSENGERS, THIS CONDITION IS DEFINITELY NOT DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR. AS IT STANDS, I HAVE NO WAY TO ASCERTAIN IF THE AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT SITUATION. THIS COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY TO ANYONE RIDING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OR EVEN THE DRIVER. A LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE OR EVEN AN OLDER VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS TYPE OF SAFETY ISSUE. MINI CUSTOMER SUPPORT OFFERED NO HELP DUE TO CAR BEING OUT OF WARRANTY. INDEPENDENT SHOP IS DOING THE REPAIR FOR $1210.00 DUE TO LACK OF CONFIDENCE IN MINI. *TR

Mileage: 59,000

OUR 2006 MINI COOPER HATCHBACK'S PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR STAYS ON WITH OR WITHOUT A PASSENGER. SOMETIMES WITH A PASSENGER, IT WILL GO ON AND OFF SPORADICALLY. IF THE LIGHT IS ON WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER IT WOULD BE LOGICAL TO ASSUME THAT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET, IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THIS PROBLEM IS WIDE-SPREAD AND DANGEROUS. *TR

OUR 2006 MINI COOPER HATCHBACK'S PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR STAYS ON WITH OR WITHOUT A PASSENGER. SOMETIMES WITH A PASSENGER, IT WILL GO ON AND OFF SPORADICALLY. IF THE LIGHT IS ON WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER IT WOULD BE LOGICAL TO ASSUME THAT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET, IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THIS PROBLEM IS WIDE-SPREAD AND DANGEROUS. *TR

Mileage: 48,500

THE RIGHT FRONT OCCUPANT SENSOR FOR AIR BAG APPEARS TO BE DEFECTIVE. IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. WE HAVE HEARD OF SEVERAL MINI COOPER'S THAT HAVE DEFECTIVE SEAT SENSORS. WHEN THIS SENSOR FAILS, THE AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY AS DESIGNED. THIS IS A SAFETY SYSTEM FAILURE. COST TO REPLACE THIS SENSOR WAS OVER $1,400.00. *TR

Mileage: 63,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, HE NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 50,000

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG STARTED HAVING INTERMITTENT FAILURES STARTING ABOUT 55,000 MILES AND LITTLE OVER THREE YEARS, SEVEN MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE. FULL FAILURE OCCURRED AT 80,000. THE SEAT WAS NOT COMMONLY USED. THE CAR IS USED PRIMARILY TO COMMUTE TO AND FROM WORK BY ONE PERSON. *JS

Mileage: 55,000

THE SRS LIGHT IS ON AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT IS ALSO ON EVEN WITH A PASSENGER SITTING IN THE SEAT. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE DUE TO BAD WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE SEATS BUT BMW, MINI IS REFUSING TO RECTIFY THE FAULTY PROBLEMS FOR 2005 AND 2006 MODELS OF THE 1ST GENERATION MINI COOPER. 2004 AND 2003 MINI COOPERS WERE HONORED WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE SRS SYSTEM FOR 150K MILES OR 10 YEARS. WITH THE SRS LIGHT ON, THE AIRBAG SYSTEM AND THE SEAT BELT ACTIVATION SYSTEM MAY FAIL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE EVEN WITH A PASSENGER IN THE CAR. THE PROBLEM HAS ALREADY BEEN REPORTED WITH A SERVICE BULLETIN. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON WITH A FAULT STORED. THE WIRING UNDER THE SEAT MAY BE PINCHED OR DAMAGED. SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER:SIM-65-06-11 NHTSA ITEM NUMBER:10039593. *TR

Mileage: 95,000

THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON ABOVE MY REAR VIEW MIRROR AND ON MY DASH. I HAVE FOUND ON MULTIPLE SITES THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE. *JS

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON WHETHER OR NOT A PASSENGER IS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE DEALER SAYS THE AIRBAG SENSOR IN THE SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS COST US OVER $1500. IN 2006 MINI ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 2002 AND 2003 MODELS WITH THE SAME DEFECT. BMW'S INVESTIGATION OF THE SAME SENSOR UNDER THE PASSENGER SEATS OF BMW AUTOS RESULTED IN A RECALL OF THIS PART. NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA08001. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. MESSAGE BOARDS HAVE INSTANCES OF PEOPLE PAYING FOR THIS EXPENSIVE SAFETY DEFECT AT THE DEALER, AND THE PROBLEMS RETURNING AFTER 1 TO 2 YEARS IN SOME CASES. SOMEONE WITH BE SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED IF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG FAILS TO DEPLOY. *TR

Mileage: 24,980

AIRBAG PASSENGER MAT SEAT SENSOR . THIS HAS BEEN A ONGOING PROBLEM FROM THE 2003 TO PRESENT. SEAT SENSOR TURNS AIRBAG LIGHT ON AND CAN DISABLE AIR BAG ON PASSENGER SIDE AND ACCORDING TO MINI DEALERSHIP, NOT ON FACTORY RECALL BUT THEY SAY GET HUNDREDS A YEAR AND CHARGE TO REPLACE SENSOR AT 1000.00. SAFETY ISSUE! SOMEONE REALLY NEEDS TO HAVE THEM FIX A KNOWN ISSUE AT ALL DEALERSHIPS AND PUT PEOPLES LIVES IN DANGER. *TR

Mileage: 129,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR WARNING LAMP WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAR AIR BAG SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,400.

Mileage: 82,000

PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG DETECTOR IS FAULTY. WHEN NO ONE IS SITTING ON THE SEAT, THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES. THIS WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER AT 44300 MILES. THE WARNING LIGHT HAS COME ON ONCE AGAIN AT 67000 MILES AND HAS STAYED ON. *TR

Mileage: 44,000

BOTH THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT LIGHT AND THE AIRBAG SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATE WHILE SEAT IS OCCUPIED INDICATING THE SYSTEM IS NOT OPERATIONAL AND MAY NOT FUNCTION IN A CRASH. INTERNET RESEARCH REVEALS MANY COMPLAINTS TO BMW CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM IN THE 2006 MINI. MANUFACTURER DEALERSHIPS WILL NOT DIAGNOSE WITHOUT A LARGE FEE. *TR

Mileage: 27,000

RECENTLY, I'VE BEEN GETTING BOTH THE YELLOW OVERHEAD AIRBAG OFF LIGHT (ABOVE THE REARVIEW MIRROR) AND THE RED WARNING LIGHT ON THE CENTER DASH. THE WARNING LIGHTS WILL GO OFF OCCASIONALLY, BUT ALWAYS SEEM TO RETURN. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHETHER I AM CARRYING A PASSENGER OR NOT. THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE A DEFECTIVE SEAT SENSOR OR A DEFECT IN AIRBAG WIRING HARNESS. SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, I DO NOT WANT TO WORK ON THE SYSTEM MYSELF. MINI WEBSITES DISCUSS SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHTS ON EARLIER MODEL MINIS. I AM CERTAIN A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR '02-'03 MODELS. CURRENT RECALL DOES NOT INCLUDE LATER BUILD YEARS SUCH AS MY '06, BUT AGAIN, THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TT

Mileage: 43,400

THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. MINI SERVICE WANTS APPROXIMATELY $300 TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. *TR

PASSANGER AIR BAG SENSOR FAILED-. *TR

Mileage: 45,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT IT COULD POSSIBLY BE THE AIR BAG SENSOR THAT WAS FAULTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

Mileage: 58,000

MY MINI COOPER HAS AIR BAG LIGHT ON. NO CAR ACCIDENT BEFORE. *TR

Mileage: 79,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SENSOR HAD FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,800.

Mileage: 71,000

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF RANDOMLY. THE LIGHT WILL COME ON REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT A PASSENGER IS SEATED.

Mileage: 45,000

ON FEBRUARY 9, 2011, WE WERE INFORMED BY MINI SERVICE THAT THE SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND THAT IT WOULD COST US $1,245.00 PLUS TAX TO REPAIR AS IT IS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY PACKAGE WHICH THEY SOLD US WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN 2007. MILEAGE OF VEHICLE AT THAT TIME WAS 46,810. THE LIGHT INDICATING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG SENSOR OCCURRED MONTHS EARLIER, BUT WE DID NOT REALIZE THAT IT WAS INDICATIVE OF A SERIOUS PROBLEM AS SMALL CHILDREN DID SIT IN THAT SEAT FROM TIME TO TIME. ON MARCH 16, 2011, HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING PUMP ON VEHICLE FAILED. MILEAGE WAS 47,895.

Mileage: 46,810

PASSENGER AIRBAG PROBLEM INDICATOR IS ON. THE CAR ONLY HAS 54811 MILES. THE DEALER CHARGED $118.37 TO CHECK. THEY STATED A SEAT SENSOR PAD WAS BAD AND WOULD COST $1,200. TO REPLACE. THEY INDICATED THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WOULD STILL DEPLOY. I CONTACTED MINI USA TO FILE A COMPLAINT BECAUSE I THOUGHT AT THIS MILEAGE AND SAFETY ISSUE THE REPAIR SHOULD BE COVERED AS WARRANTY (RECALL). THEY DENIED THE REQUEST AND ALSO INDICATED THE SYSTEM WOULD STILL DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. AFTER READING SEVERAL BLOGS, EVERYONE SEEMS TO INDICATE THE BAGS WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE VERY COMMON ON MINI COOPERS. I READ SEVERAL OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE REPAIRED MULTIPLE TIMES. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS CAR. *TR

Mileage: 54,811

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ALTHOUGH A PASSENGER (WHO WEIGHED OVER 200 LBS) WAS SEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SENSOR MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 153,600.

Mileage: 48,500

1/10/2010, I MY HEATER WAS BLOWING COLD AIR AND MY ENGINE TEMP INDICATOR WAS JUMPING AROUND. I CALLED MINI OF TOWSON AND TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE. I REMINDED THEM THAT BOTH AIR BAG AND FLAT TIRE INDICATORS HAD BEEN FLICKERING ON AND OFF SINCE THE LAST TIME I CAME IN ON JUNE OF 2009 AND THAT AS OF A FEW WEEKS AGO THEY HAD BOTH REMAINED ON. AT THAT TIME, NO ONE TOOK MY INQUIRY SERIOUSLY AND I WAS TOLD THE LIGHTS WERE COMING ON AS A RESULT OF THE PAST REQUIRED ENGINE WORK FOR THE COOLING SYSTEM AND ENGINE, AND A SLOW LEAK IN ONE OF MY TIRES, WHICH I WAS INSTRUCTED TOO MONITOR BY FILLING-UP WHEN LOW AND TO IGNORE. I WAS INFORMED RECENTLY THAT I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE MY PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SEAT SENSOR ($1000). I HAVE READ MANY OF POSTS ON THE MINIUSA WEBSITE THAT SAY THIS AS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MINI'S BEING WIRED INCORRECTLY FORM THE MANUFACTURER; SOMETHING THAT COULD BE AVOIDED WITH EARLY DETECTION BY THE DEALERSHIP AT THE TIME OF THE INITIAL FAULTY INDICATOR LIGHTING. I WAS ALSO TOLD MY WATER PUMP IS NOW LEAKING COOLANT AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ($900); SOMETHING I HAVE BEEN TOLD MAY BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE EARLIER MANUFACTURING DEFECTS I HAD. ALSO, I AM ENROLLED IN THEIR TIRE AND RIM PROTECTION WARRANTY THAT STATES ANY TIRES OR RIMS THAT ARE DAMAGED BY NAILS, POT HOLES, ETC ARE REPLACED FOR FREE. THEY HAVE PATCHED 4 OF MY TIRES FOR NAIL DAMAGE; 3 OUT OF THE 4 TIRES CONTINUE TO LEAK AND I FEEL SHOULD BE REPLACED. LASTLY, MY MINI APPRAISED $6,500 BY THIS DEALER. I ASKED HOW MUCH THE VALUE INCREASES IF I COMPLETELY SERVICE THE CAR AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD INCREASE THE VALUE OF SERVICES RENDERED ($3,100) A TOTAL EST.VALUE OF $9,600. WHEN ASKED WHY MY MINI HAD DEPRECIATED SO MUCH I WAS TOLD BECAUSE OF THE CARS EXTENSIVE SERVICE RECORD. SHE SAID BECAUSE OF THE DEPLORABLE SERVICE RECORD, MY CAR COULD NOT BE KEPT BY THE MINI DEALER AND THAT IT HAD TO BE SOLD AT WHOLESALE BECAUSE THE CAR IS CONSIDERED FAULTY. SHE SAID MY MINI WAS NOT SAFE ACCORDING TO THE DEALER RESELL STANDARD. *TR

PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. HAS BEEN REPAIRED 4 TIMES. HAS NOT RECURRED THIS LAST REPAIR, HOWEVER ONLY REPAIRED 2 MONTHS AGO. HAPPENED FIRST 3/26/07, PARTS HAD TO BE SPECIAL ORDERED AND IT WAS REPAIRED ON 4/17/07; THEN 1/29/08, THEN 6/17/08, AND THEN 10/27/08. EACH TIME THEY MAKE THE SAME REPAIR: PART NUMBER 52 10 6 961 324, REPLACED SENSOR MAT, (OC3 MAT) PASSENGER SEAT, 65 77 604, REMOVED SEAT, REMOVED SEAT COVER, REPLACED SEAT COVER, MAT, AND UPHOLSTERY MATERIAL. THE LIGHT HAS NOT COME BACK ON SINCE LAST REPAIR, HOWEVER IT HAS ONLY BEEN 2 MONTHS. *TR

Mileage: 21,754