RoadVitals

2006 MINI Cooper S Convertible Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
36
Latest Aug 27, 2019
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jan 28, 2011

What this page shows

Our database holds 36 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 MINI Cooper S Convertible. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 36 · page 1 of 2

Steering
Filed Aug 27, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO DRIVE HOME. MINI OF ST. LOUIS (40 SUNNEN DR, MAPLEWOOD, MO 63143, (314) 644-6464) STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE DIAGNOSED AND REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V660000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,000.

NHTSA ID
11246687
Incident
Aug 16, 2019
Mileage
52,000 mi
AirbagsInterior & seats
Filed Apr 30, 2018

PASSENGER SIDE SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR (RECALL 15V-205, OC3 SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT) IN MY 2006 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE HAS FAILED. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT ON DASH AND OVERHEAD STAY LIT AT ALL TIMES. RECALL ISSUED BY MINI IN 2015 COVERING EXACT PROBLEM DESCRIBED FOR SAME MAKE AND MODEL FOR YEARS 2005 - 2008. DEALER SHIP AND MINI USA BOTH SAY THE VIN NUMBER FOR MY 2006 S CONVERTIBLE IS NOT INCLUDED WITH THIS RECALL. HOW CAN THIS BE, THE EXACT PROBLEM FOR THE EXACT VEHICLES IDENTIFIED FOR THIS RECALL. MINI STATES THAT THIS VEHICLE IS THE CORRECT TYPE, MODEL AND YEAR BUT NOT PART OF THE RECALL BECAUSE IT PROBABLY DIDN'T HAVE THE SAME PART THAT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS FAILING INSTALLED. I WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO FOR ME AND WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD IS THAT THE COST FOR THE FIX WILL BE AT LEAST $1,200 OUT OF POCKET. THIS COST IS RIDICULOUS AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED UNDER THE STANDING RECALL FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FACT THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IS OBVIOUS AND IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE!

NHTSA ID
11091069
Incident
Mar 5, 2018
Mileage
80,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 22, 2017

I BOUGHT MY 2006 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE FOR $9,393 IN NOVEMBER 2016 . WHEN DRIVING IT HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP I HEARD SOME NOISE, SO I STOPPED AT A FOREIGN AUTO SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THE CLUTCH AND TRANSMISSION WAS GOING OUT. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY REFUSED TO HELP, SO I HAD THEM REPLACED AT A TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP FOR $2,500 . THEN HAD A BRAKE JOB FOR $394 AND SPENT OVER $1,000 AT A MINI DEALERSHIP . AND THEN PUT THE CAR IN STORAGE FOR 5 MONTHS. I DROVE IT FOR TWO DAYS ( ABOUT AN HOUR EACH DAY ) WHEN I HEARD A NEW NOISE AND IT WOULD HARDLY RUN , SO I PULLED IT OFF THE ROAD AND HAD IT TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY JUST NOTIFIED ME THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED , COSTING ME BETWEEN $5,000 AND $8,000 !!! NOT SURE WHAT TO DO.....HELP !!!!

NHTSA ID
10979899
Incident
Apr 17, 2017
Mileage
68,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 14, 2017

6 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY AFTER 82,000 MILES. THIS IN SPITE OF PROPER DEALER RECOMMENDED MAINAINANCE. COST TO REPAIR WAS THE SAME AS THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
10965808
Incident
Feb 22, 2017
Mileage
82,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Jan 27, 2016
Fire reported

I PUT THE HEATED SEAT ON WHILE DRIVING, AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAUGHT FIRE. THIS WITH LESS THEN 50,000 MILES AND A COST OF ALMOST $1000. I HAD TO PULL INTO A GAS STATION AND PUT OUT THE SMOKING SEAT WITH WATER. I'VE COMPLAINED TO MINI COOPER USA, WITH NO RESULTS.

NHTSA ID
10822584
Incident
Jan 6, 2016
Mileage
49,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Jan 4, 2016
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING WITH THE DRIVER SEAT HEATER ON A BURNING SMELL AND SMOKE BEGAN TO FILL THE CAR. ADDITIONALLY, BEGAN FEELING EXTREME HEAT ON MY BACK. IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND FOUND A SMALL FIRE ON THE SEAT BACK WHICH I HAD TO PAT OUT. NO INJURY WAS SUSTAINED. THE SEAT HEATER HAD BEEN IN OPERATION ROUGHLY 5 MINUTES. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN AS THE SEAT HEATER SWITCHES ARE IN A LOCATION WHERE THEY ARE EASILY TURNED ON BY ACCIDENT. HAD I NOT BEEN ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD IMMEDIATELY THE DAMAGES COULD HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY WORSE AND INJURY WOULD HAVE OCCURRED.

NHTSA ID
10817499
Incident
Jan 4, 2016
Mileage
122,000 mi
Steering
Filed Dec 14, 2015

THE POWER STEERING IN THE CAR HAS STOPPED WORKING, VERY HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL. I JUST REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY DUE TO THE BATTERY NOT CHARGING CORRECTLY, NOW THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING PUMP HAS FAILED AND THE BATTERY LIGHT ON THE CONSOLE HAS TURNED ON. I NOTICED THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR 2002 - 2005 CARS OF THE SAME TYPE FOR THIS REASON. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM TO BE THE SAME AND WOULD LIKE THE RECALL EXTENDED TO AT LEAST THE 2006 YEAR MODEL. WE WENT INTO AN OFFICE AND WHEN WE CAME OUT THE POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING. WE DROVE IT HOME AND ARE NOW WAITING ON THE PARTS TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP.

NHTSA ID
10810077
Incident
Dec 11, 2015
Mileage
82,500 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 19, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, 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 FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10783225
Incident
Apr 15, 2015
Airbags
Filed Oct 5, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE. 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 NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
10779839
Incident
Jun 20, 2015
ElectricalSteering
Filed Aug 5, 2015

THIS HISTORICAL ISSUE HAS PLAGUED MANY DRIVERS OF MINI USA AND MANY HAVE REPORTED ACCIDENTS. IS IT GOING TO TAKE THE LOSS OF INNOCENT LIVES TO HAVE YOU FORCE MINI USA DO THE RIGHT THING AND INCLUDE ALL OF THESE KNOWN DEFECTS FIXED?

NHTSA ID
10746599
Incident
Feb 18, 2015
Mileage
32,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 23, 2015

BACK AGAIN! I JUST CAN'T CATCH A BREAK WITH THIS CAR! I WAS TAKING A ROAD TRIP AND HAD ALL MY FLUIDS CHECKED AND FILLED PRIOR TO LEAVING.WHILE DRIVING HWY99 MY THERMOSTAT GAUGE WENT FINE TO DANGER ZONE! I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE SHOP AND WAS TOLD TO PULL INTO A GAS STATION AND CHECK THE WATER AND COOLANT. HE STAYED ON THE PHONE WITH ME WHILE I REPORTED WHAT THE TEMP GAUGUE WAS DOING. EVERY TIME I TURNED THE THE GUAGE WOULD DROP TO FINE UNTIL THE NEXT TURN WHICH IT WENT TO DANGER. WHEN I PULLED INTO THE GAS STATION I HEARD A LOUD CLUNK.I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND CHECK THE FLUIDS AND FOUND THAT EVERYTHING WAS FULL BUT THE WATER PUMP WAS LOW. I CHECKED UNDER THE CAR AND FOUND A LEAK. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE SHOP WHICH THE FOLLOWING WAS FOUND.1. MALFUNCTION OF THE WATER PUMP 2. WARP HEADGASKET 3. WARP CYLINDERS THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY AGREED TO THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT THEN LATER STATED THEY WOULD ONLY PAY 1500 TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP, AND HAVE THE HEAD AND CYLINDERS REFURBISHED. MY SHOP HAS CALLED AND SPOKEN TO THEM NUMEROUS TIMES WITHOUT ANY OUTCOMES. MINI IS REQUESTING ME TO PAY OUT OF EXPENSES TO HAVE THE CAR PUT BACK TOGETHER AND TOWED 75 MI AWAY TO THE NEAREST MINI CERTIFIED SERVICE CENTER, AS WELL AS PAYING FOR THEM TO TARE DOWN THE ENGINE FOR THEM RUN THEIR OWN TESTS.THE SERVICE SHOP SAID IT WOULD BE 3500 FOR EVERYTHING TO BE GONE THROUGH! AFTER MINI COMPLETES THE ABOVE, THEN THEY WOULD TRY TO HAVE WARRANTY COMPANY REPLACE ANY ITEMS AND IF THEY ARE NOT COVERED THEY WOULD ASK MINI TO PROVIDE IT, HOWEVER I WOULD BE OUT OF POCKET AGAIN! THE CAR IS STILL AT THE SERVICE SHOP AS OF TODAY. I AM VERY UNSURE ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE AND WHETHER I SHOULD FIX IT OR SELL IT. I AM ALREADY PAYING FOR THE VEHICLE LOAN AND INSURANCE FOR A CAR THAT I CAN NOT EVEN DRIVE WITH COUNTLESS PROBLEMS. RECALLS NEED TO BE MADE! PLEASE END THIS NIGHTMARE!

NHTSA ID
10726725
Incident
Mar 23, 2015
Mileage
79,610 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 23, 2015

I HAVE HAD MY CAR ABOUT FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS AND WHEN I START MY CAR THE ABS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON. IT HAS ALSO COME ON WHILE DRIVING, AND THE BRAKES WILL GO ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR, THEN CATCH AFTER SEVERAL TIMES. I HAVE BEEN IN A FEW CLOSE ACCIDENTS AS A RESULT OF THIS. I AGAIN WENT BACK TO THE SHOP AND HAD DIAGNOSTIC TESTS PERFORMED. NOTHING CAME BACK FROM THE TEST. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. I FIND MYSELF TURNING OF THE CAR AND WAITING A MINUTE, UPON RESTART THE ABS WARNING LIGHT IS NOT BEING SHOWN. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY RISK AS ONE CAN NOT SAY WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN BUT THAT IT DOES HAPPEN RANDOMLY.

NHTSA ID
10726722
Incident
Feb 6, 2015
Mileage
77,102 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 23, 2015

2 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING A USED MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE 2006, THE CAR BEGAN TO SELF SHIFT AT IMPROPER TIMES, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO REV AT HIGH RPM'S. I CONTACTED THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY AND HE TEST DROVE THE CAR TRYING TO GET THE VEHICLE TO RESPOND THE SAME WAY. AFTER 15 MINUTES OF DRIVING IT THE PROBLEM DID NOT OCCUR AND I WAS SENT ON MY WAY. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO PERSIST WHEN I WAS AT LOW SPEEDS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10726721
Incident
Jan 24, 2015
Mileage
76,952 mi
Filed Jun 23, 2015

I PURCHASED A USED 2006 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE FROM A DEALER AND AFTER SIGNING THE PAPERS AND GETTING THE KEYS I TURNED THE CAR ON AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. THE DEALER TOOK IT BACK TO THE SHOP AND DID A DIAGNOSTIC TEST REVEALING NOTHING WAS WRONG, RESET THE VEHICLE AND HANDED ME THE KEYS. THE PROBLEM CONTINUES INTERMITTENTLY STILL.

NHTSA ID
10726719
Incident
Jan 23, 2015
Mileage
76,995 mi
Airbags
Filed May 26, 2015

OUR 2006 MINI COOPER AIR BAG SENSOR GOES ON AND OFF. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THE ENTIRE SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AS IS AN EMBEDDED SENSOR. THIS DOES APPEAR TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE BUT THE VEHICLE IS NOT ONE OF THE RECALLED MINI COOPERS.

NHTSA ID
10721546
Incident
Apr 1, 2014
Mileage
65,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 23, 2015

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ELECTRONICALLY DISENGAGES (RANDOM OCCURRENCES) WHILE SHIFTING BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH GEAR, ALLOWING THE ENGINE TO REV UNCONTROLLABLY. SINCE THIS HAPPENS WHILE ACCELERATING, IT CREATES AN UNSAFE CONDITION IN TRAFFIC AS THERE IS NO POWER TO THE WHEELS. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION RE-ENGAGES, IT CAN HAPPEN AT A VERY HIGH REV (3000-5000, OR MORE RPM) WHICH CAUSES AN UNSAFE CONDITION BECAUSE OF THE SUDDEN ENGAGEMENT. IF ROADS ARE WET, THE RE-ENGAGEMENT CAN EASILY PRODUCE WHEEL SPIN AND SKIDDING WHEN IT HAPPENS DURING A TURNING MANEUVER. THE SUDDEN RE-ENGAGEMENT AT HIGH REVS CAN ALSO BREAK A CV JOINT OR OTHER DRIVE COMPONENT, WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO BE UNCONTROLLABLE WHILE IN TRAFFIC. *TR

NHTSA ID
10712486
Incident
Sep 2, 2013
Mileage
89,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 4, 2015

MY WIFE'S 2006 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLES AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL, AS I'M SEEING. ON THE INTERNET, THAT MANY OWNERS OF COOPERS AND BMWS HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. VERY MUCH A SAFETY ISSUE AND BE ADVISED THAT YOU ARE OFFICIALLY ON NOTICE, THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM. ALSO A TIRE SAFETY ISSUE INCLUDED.

NHTSA ID
10692161
Incident
Jan 3, 2013
Mileage
8,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureOther / unspecified
Filed Mar 4, 2015

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON. BUBBLES ON RUN FLAT TIRES (ONE REPLACED). RUBBER SEALS DETERIORATING ON OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. WATER PUMP LEAKING (REPLACED). UPHOLSTERY IS COMING APART ON DRIVERS SEAT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10692148
Incident
Jan 3, 2013
Mileage
8,000 mi
AirbagsEngine
Filed Nov 20, 2014

MY 2006 MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE HAS INTERMITTENT EXPERIENCED WITH PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYING ON EVEN WHEN PASSENGER IS IN SEAT AND PROPERLY BUCKLED IN. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BY BMW. ALSO, HARMONIC BALANCER BROKE AT JUST UNDER 60,000...AND HAVE HEARD THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM ON MANY MINI COOPERS. BMW SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACEMENT. FAULTY EQUIPMENT. ALSO, CONVERTIBLE GASKET NEEDS REPLACING. INFERIOR MATERIAL USED BY BMW. VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10659724
Incident
Nov 5, 2014
Mileage
59,000 mi
AirbagsInterior & seats
Filed Nov 19, 2014

PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR IS FAULTY, CAUSING THE AIRBAG TO NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE CAR. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN, AND MINI NEEDS TO DO A RECALL. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10659255
Incident
Nov 6, 2014
Mileage
50,020 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 7, 2014

ON 2/16/2013 MY HARMONIC BALANCER WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THEIR ARE NO WARNING LIGHTS . WHAT HAPPENS IS A LOUD POP THEN A BUNCH OF CRUNCHING NOISES FROM THAT SHOCK YOUR CAR WILL GO FROM 55 MPH TO 20 MPH IN A MATTER OF SECONDS ...EXTREMELY SCARY WHEN YOU SEE A SEMI BEHIND YOU . MINI PAID FOR THIS MALFUNCTION BECAUSE THEY KNOW THIS ISSUE IS A MAJOR FLAW AND WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR POSSIBLY SOMEONE'S DEATH . ON 8/29/2013 MY TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 55,123 ...NO WARNINGS JUST SLOW LUNCHING AND GRINDING ALSO DURING THIS EVENT I FOUND OUT MY ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS WERE CRACKED. SEAT BELTS ARE CONSTANTLY CURLING BACKWARDS AND DON'T LAY FLAT . CONVERTIBLE ROOF DRIP SEAL RUBBER HAS BEEN REPLACED MORE THAN TWICE MAKING ME BELIEVE THAT MINI HAS USED A SUB STANDARD RUBBER THEREFORE USING IT IN THEIR ENGINE PARTS ...PLEASE NOTE THAT I'VE HAD NUMEROUS HOSES REPLACED DUE TO BEING BRITTLE AND SUB STANDARD ... POWER STEERING ,RADIATOR,AND OTHER HOSES . MINI COPPER IS CURRENTLY BATTLING A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT WHY DO I KNOW ABOUT EVERY OTHER CAR COMPANY BENIGN SUED ? DOES IT REALLY TAKE A DEATH,ACCIDENT ,OR OTHER ISSUE TO MAKE CAR COMPANIES ACCOUNTABLE ? PLEASE NOTE CURRENT MILEAGE IS AT 68,000 MEANING I DON'T TRUST THIS CAR NOR DO I FEEL SAFE IN SELLING IT TO SOME HIGH SCHOOLER OR OTHER PERSON BECAUSE THIS MANUFACTURE ISN'T HONEST AND RUSHED OUT A PRODUCT ALL IN THE NAME OF PROFIT . *TR

NHTSA ID
10620740
Incident
Feb 16, 2013
Mileage
50,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 28, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

NHTSA ID
10616912
Incident
Aug 22, 2013
Mileage
48,000 mi
AirbagsInterior & seats
Filed Mar 10, 2014

THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE, DOES NOT REGISTER THAT ANYBODY IS SITTING IN THE SEAT AND AIRBAG SYSTEM DOES NOT "ARM". AIRBAG DISABLED LIGHTS STAY ILLUMINATED. I'M CONCERNED THAT AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. NEEDS TO BE FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10568190
Incident
Mar 10, 2014
Mileage
107,500 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Sep 12, 2013

THE SEAT BELT INDICATOR AND AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHTS HAVE BEEN INTERMITTENTLY COMING ON WHETHER OR NOT SOMEONE IS IN THE SEAT. NOW THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT IS ALWAYS LIT AND THE SEAT BELT INDICATOR IS STILL INTERMITTENT. I SPOKE TO THE DEALER WE BOUGHT THE CAR FROM AND THEY WILL NOT TEST THE CONDITION UNDER THE WARRANTY. WE PURCHASED THE CAR ON 12/22/2012. IT WILL COST OVER $100 JUST FOR THEM TO TELL US IF THERE IS A MALFUNCTION. SOUNDS AS THOUGH THE REPAIR WILL COST WELL OVER $1,000. FROM RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, IT SOUNDS AS THOUGH THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND BMW RECALLED THE BMW MODELS FOR A SIMILAR ISSUE, BUT MINI WILL NOT FIX THIS KNOWN PROBLEM. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS WE DO NOT KNOW IF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS WORKING PROPERLY OR NOT. THANK YOU FOR ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN PROVIDE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10543256
Incident
Apr 30, 2013
Mileage
79,586 mi
AirbagsInterior & seats
Filed Apr 13, 2013

IN 2010 MY CAR'S PASSENGER AIR BAG SYSTEM WARNING CAME ON AND I TOOK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SEAT BECAUSE THE SEAT MAT OCCUPANCY DETECTOR HAD FAILED. IN 2013, THE LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. I TOOK BACK TO THE DEALER AND ASKED THEM TO FIX AT NO CHARGE, AS TO HAVE THE SAME SYSTEM FAIL TWICE ON A CAR WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON IT SIGNALED A DEFECTIVE DESIGN. MINI REFUSED TO REPAIR AT NO COST AND INSTEAD PROVIDED ME WITH A $1,700 ESTIMATE TO REPLACE THE SEAT AND SYSTEM. I HAVE FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH MINI USA AND AM AWAITING A RESPONSE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS EFFECTIVELY PERMANENTLY OFF. I HAVE READ ON THIS WEBSITE AND ELSEWHERE THAT MANY OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THIS CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10508113
Incident
Mar 1, 2013
Mileage
46,500 mi

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