2006 MINI Cooper S Airbags Problems

The contact owns a 2006 Mini Coop S. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the passenger’s side seat occupancy mat had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist since the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V205000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,350.

NHTSA ID

11460503

Incident

Apr 9, 2022

Mileage

90,350 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SOUTH BAY MINI LOCATED AT (18800 HAWTHORNE BLVD, TORRANCE CA) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

NHTSA ID

11319039

Incident

Mar 1, 2020

Mileage

79,000 mi

THE AIR BAG DETECTION WARNING REMAINS ACTIVE AFTER DEALER REINSTALLATION OF THE SEAT DETECTOR PAD.

NHTSA ID

11161712

Incident

Oct 1, 2018

UPON STARTING MY CAR, AFTER BEING IN A STORE, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHILE A PASSENGER WAS IN THE SEAT. THE INDICATOR STAYED ON AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON. I RESEARCHED TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS FOR A FAULTY PASSENGER AIRBAG COVERING MY YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL, AND FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL MINI DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO INFORMATION PERTAINING TO MY CAR AND THAT I NEEDED TO CONTACT MINI USA DIRECTLY. I DID SO AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY ALSO COULD NOT FIND ANY INFORMATION PERTAINING TO MY CAR AND THAT THEY NEEDED TO OPEN AN INVESTIGATION IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THE STATUS OF MY VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE MY CAR WAS PURCHASED THROUGH AN OVERSEAS MILITARY PROGRAM THE SYSTEMS WERE NOT THE SAME AND THAT A SUPERVISOR WOULD HAVE TO TRY AND FIND THE INFORMATION AND MANUALLY ADD IT TO THE MINI USA SYSTEM. I WAS ALSO ASKED, REPEATEDLY, IF MY CAR WAS A CANADIAN SPEC VEHICLE. IT WAS NOT ORDERED AS SUCH. AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS OF WAITING, I CALLED MINI USA TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE STATUS OF THE INVESTIGATION. I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD ALREADY BEEN NOTIFIED THAT MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED ON THE RECALL FOR THE AIRBAG SENSOR ISSUE. WHEN I INQUIRED AS TO WHY MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED FOR THE EXACT PROBLEM FOR WHICH THE RECALL WAS ISSUED, I WAS TOLD THAT MY CASE WAS NOW CLOSED AND IF I HAD ANY OTHER QUESTIONS I NEEDED TO CONTACT MINI CUSTOMER SERVICE.

NHTSA ID

11124323

Incident

Jun 13, 2018

Mileage

53,000 mi

I HAVE A 2006 MINI COOPER S. AIRBAGS REPLACED DUE TO RECALL (2015 OR 2016) AT MINI DEALERSHIP. NOW, MAY 15, 2018, SEATBELT/AIRBAG RED LIGHT ON ON CONSOLE. NO AIRBAG LIGHT ON NEAR MIRROR. NOTHING ON PASSENGER SEAT - I AM BELTED WHEN I DRIVE. THIS HAPPENS AS I TURN ON IGNITION AND STAYS ON.

NHTSA ID

11094021

Incident

May 15, 2018

Mileage

53,000 mi

RECALL NOTICE NO. 15V-205 WAS RECEIVED JUNE 2015 FOR FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT SENSOR. AS OF 24 SEPTEMBER 2015, DEALER STILL DOES NOT HAVE PARTS OR "INFORMATION" ON RECALL.

NHTSA ID

10776458

Incident

Jan 2, 2015

Mileage

40,000 mi

I COMPLAINED WITH MINI COOPER BACK IN 2011 WHEN MY WARRANTY EXPIRED AND DEALERSHIP SAID THAT REPLACEMENT WILL BE DONE OUT OF POCKET. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY CAR AT RISK; MORE OFTEN THAT NOT, I DO NOT DRIVE MY CAR WITH A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT. FAST FORWARD TO 2015 WITH RECALL BUT UNABLE TO EXECUTE THE RECALL DUE TO LACK OF PARTS. NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE WHAT THE CAUSE OF DELAY AND SINCE THE ORIGINAL PART WORKS ALBEIT BAD DURABILITY, FORCE MINI COOPER/BMW TO PERFORM STOP GAP REPAIRS WITH OLDER PARTS, BYPASS SENSOR OR CHANGE SOFTWARE CODE TO DISREGARD BAD SENSOR INPUT. THE BURDEN IS TOO GREAT FOR ME TO USE MY CAR WITH NO PASSENGER OR PASSENGER AT RISK. STOP GAP REPAIRS, INCLUDING CHANGING THE SOFTWARE CODE AND ELIMINATE SENSOR INPUT TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG CAN BE A TEMPORARY REPAIR. HOW HARD IS IT FOR BMWQ TO SHORT OR "FAKE" THE SENSOR SIGNAL, SO THE SYSTEM WOULD NOT DISABLE THE AIRBAG; HENCE IT WOULD DEPLOY WHEN THERE'S A PASSENGER ONBOARD. PUT A STICKER ON THE DASHBOARD THAT SAYS AIRBAGS ARE TEMPORARY ACTIVE AND CHILD SEATS NOT ALLOWED. MY SAFETY INSTINCT TELLS ME IT IS PREFERRED TO HAVE THE AIRBAG ACTIVE AND DEPLOY WHEN NEEDED. THE NUMBER OF POTENTIAL CHILD SEAT IS MOST LIKELY A VERY LOW NUMBER THAT MOST OWNERS WOULD PREFER TO HAVE AN ACTIVE AIRBAG. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT THIS IS TAKING SO LONG, AND PUTTING THE OWNERS AT RISK WHEN THERE ARE STOP GAP MEASURES AVAILABLE. BYPASSING THE SENSOR AND HAVING THE AIRBAGS ACTIVE SEEMS TO BE THE MOST LOGICAL ONE EXCEPT NHTSA MAY BE THE PROBLEM FOR COMING UP WITH AUTO-SENSORS TO PREVENT CHILD SEAT ACTIVATION. NHTSA SHOULD MAKE A CHOICE AND DECIDE WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT, SAFETY OF THE PASSENGERS, OR HAVING TO GIVE BMW INSTRUCTION AND WAIVERS TO ALLOW STOP GAP AND NOT PUT ME AND MY PASSENGERS AT RISK.

NHTSA ID

10765197

Incident

Jun 30, 2011

Mileage

50,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FLASHED REPEATEDLY MONTHS AFTER RECEIVING NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUED TO FLASH FOR MONTHS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 11/06/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED TO BE REPAIRED. UPDATED 2/2/2016*JS *CN

NHTSA ID

10761193

Incident

Apr 20, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED WERE UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA ID

10748751

Incident

Jan 14, 2015

Mileage

45,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V205000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. 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.

NHTSA ID

10732512

Incident

Jun 4, 2015

THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON CONSTANTLY NOW REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE CAR OR NOT. BECAUSE IT IS THE AIR BAG LIGHT LOCATED ON THE CENTER PANEL WHERE ALL THE LIGHTS AND GAUGES ARE LOCATED RATHER THAN THE ONE UP BY THE REAR VIEW MIRROR THAT REFERS TO THE PASSENGER SEAT ONLY, I ASSUME THAT AT THIS TIME THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IS NOT OPERATIONAL. IS THERE A RECALL FOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM ON THIS CAR? IF SO, I HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED.

NHTSA ID

10722698

Incident

May 1, 2015

Mileage

120,000 mi

I AM ON MY 4TH PASSENGER SEAT MAT SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE NEW IN JANUARY 2007. IN APRIL I FOUND A MANUFACTURER RECALL PART 573 SAFETY RECALL REPORT 15V-205 THAT LISTED THE VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED ON NOV 18, 2006 WITHIN THE PRODUCTION DATE RANGE. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RECALL AND CAN NO LONGER FIND THE RECALL ON THIS SITE. AS MENTIONED, THIS IS MY 4TH FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT SENSOR. I WOULD LIKE INFORMATION ON WHAT THE PROCEDURE IS TO RECOVER MY COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE LAST REPLACEMENT OF THE SENSOR.

NHTSA ID

10717849

Incident

Feb 5, 2015

Mileage

44,421 mi

THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON REGARDLESS OF THE SEAT OCCUPANCY. IT IS UNCLEAR IF THE AIR BAG IS OPERATIONAL OR NOT.

NHTSA ID

10716305

Incident

Aug 15, 2014

Mileage

60,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. UPDATED 6/11/15*CN

NHTSA ID

10712004

Incident

Apr 21, 2013

Mileage

44,377 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT 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 62,000. UPDATED 7/8/15*CN

NHTSA ID

10706672

Incident

Sep 30, 2014

Mileage

62,000 mi

PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT CONSTANT ON AND DISABLED EVEN IF I HAVE PASSENGER. THERE ARE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO TALK TO THE SAN FRANCISCO DEALER TO HAVE TO DEFECT FIX THE PREVIOUS OWNER NOT ABLE TO AFFORD TO GET IT FIX. *TR

NHTSA ID

10705693

Incident

Jul 1, 2014

Mileage

103,000 mi

THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. I WAS ADVISED BY AN AUTHORIZED MINI COPPER MECHANIC THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR IS BAD. IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT MINI COOPER USA IS NOT OWNING UP TO THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO RECALL AND REPAIR WHAT COULD POSSIBLY BE A LIFE SAFETY PROBLEM. THE LEATHER SEAT IS PRACTICALLY NEW AND THERE'S NO EXCUSE FOR THIS FAULTY AIR BAG SENSOR SEAT/EQUIPMENT. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR BMW'S WITH THE SAME ISSUE. IT'S VERY DISAPPOINTING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10692253

Incident

Mar 14, 2014

Mileage

46,220 mi

THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR STOPPED WORKING. NOW, EVEN WHEN THERE IS SOMEONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIRBAG IS DEACTIVATED. THE AIR BAG SENSOR IN THE SEAT NEEDS TO WORK IN ORDER FOR THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY-- AND ALL OF THESE SYSTEMS ARE DOWN DUE TO A FAULTY SENSOR! *TR

NHTSA ID

10683663

Incident

Aug 19, 2014

Mileage

49,306 mi

MY 2006 BMW MINI COOPER S PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT SPORADICALLY IS SHOWING THAT IT IS DEACTIVATED REGARDLESS IF THERE IS A FULL SIZED ADULT OR NO ONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS HAS BEEN A ON GOING PROBLEM/CONCERN WILL MY PASSENGERS BE PROTECTED IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH SINCE THE AIR BAGS ARE SHOWING THAT THEY ARE SHUT OFF WILL THEY STILL WORK? I HAD IT CHECKED OUT AT AUTHORIZED MINI DEALER AND THEY SAID THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE SEAT SENSOR WAS SENDING OFF FAULTY SIGNALS. THIS IS RIDICULOUS - $2000! I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THIS AND IT IS AN ONGING ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL. BMW HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH ANOTHER ONE OF THEIR MODELS AND IT HAD TO BE RECALLED. THE SAME SHOULD HAPPEN WITH THIS CAR. THEY ARE PUTTING PEOPLES LIVES AT RISK WITH THEY INSTALL FAULTY PASSENGER SEAT SENSORS AND ARE CHARGING AN ARM AND A LEG TO FIX THEIR FAULTY PART. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. *JS

NHTSA ID

10682041

Incident

Jan 1, 2015

PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. DEALER AND INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP SAY THE SEAT SENSOR NEED TO BE REPLACED. IT IS LOCATED IN THE SEAT AND THE WHOLE SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ESTIMATED COST $1200. TO 1500. US DOLLARS. THE PASSENGER SEAT IS RARELY USED. THE REPAIR IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. I DON'T KNOW IF THE AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY. APPARENTLY ALL BMW'S WERE RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT NOT THE MINI COOPERS WHICH ACCORDING TO POSTED THREADS ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10678271

Incident

Dec 15, 2014

Mileage

70,000 mi

AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON FULL TIME, AFTER A PERIOD OF INTERMITTENT ACTIVITY. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB. THE HIGH COST OF REPAIRS SEEMS TO HAVE RESULTED IN A THRIVING BUSINESS SELLING REPLACEMENT "EMULATORS" THAT IMITATE THE SENSOR PAD ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS. THIS IS THE SAME PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT FAILURE FOR WHICH THERE HAVE BEEN EXTENSIVE RECALLS FOR BMW VEHICLES MADE BY THE SAME MANUFACTURER. OWNER CALLED MINI, WAS STONEWALLED AND TOLD THERE WAS NO INTEREST IN HEARING ABOUT THE PROBLEM, JUST TAKE IT TO A DEALER. ASKED DEALER SERVICE REP IF IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION, WAS TOLD "I'M NOT ALLOWED TO ANSWER THAT." THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT RISES TO THE LEVEL OF REQUIRING A RECALL, AS WAS DONE FOR EARLIER MINI YEARS. MINI DOES NOT OFFER THE SENSOR MAT AS A SEPARATE PART, INSTEAD REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF THE SEAT UPHOLSTERY, A $600+ BMW PART NUMBER WHICH IS BACK ORDERED WITH NO CERTAIN DELIVERY DATE OR PRICE. INCLUDING LABOR, THE COST TO REPAIR IS 10% TO 20% OF THE CURRENT SALES PRICE OF THIS YEAR MINI. PLEASE, THERE CAN BE NO EXCUSE FOR NOT RECALLING VEHICLES WITH THIS SIGNIFICANT AND EXPENSIVE SAFETY DESIGN FLAW. (TR

NHTSA ID

10676225

Incident

Jan 7, 2015

Mileage

59,946 mi

FAILURE OF OC-3 WEIGHT MAT IN PASSENGER SEAT BASE, THUS DISABLING PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SYSTEM. COST TO REPLACE SEAT BOTTOM IS $1200. AS THIS PART IS COMMON BETWEEN MINIS AND BMWS, AND IS VERY PRONE TO FAILURE, BMW HAS ISSUED A RECALL ON BMWS IN THIS MODEL YEAR AREA, BUT HAS NOT YET DONE SO FOR MINIS. PERHAPS BMW NEEDS A WRONGFUL DEATH LAWSUIT TO ISSUE A RECALL? THIS IS A TRAVESTY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10670664

Incident

Jan 1, 2015

Mileage

56,000 mi

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN GARAGE FOR 3 MONTHS. WHEN VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ON. IT HAS NOT TURNED OFF FOR 6 MONTHS AND WILL NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION. THE BATTERY WAS STRONG ENOUGH TO START THE CAR WITH NO PROBLEM AND THE VEHICLE HAS IN A GARAGE THE ENTIRE TIME. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, ALL SYSTEMS WERE FUNCTIONING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10659014

Incident

Apr 15, 2014

Mileage

47,000 mi

PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT SPONTANEOUSLY LIGHTED WITHOUT INCIDENT AND CONTINUES TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED DURING OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITH OR WITHOUT PASSENGER IN SEAT. MINI OF USA ASSISTANCE DENIES ANY RESPONSIBILITY OR WARRANTY, BUT STATES THAT" AIR BAG MAY NOT FUNCTION IN CASE OF ACCIDENT". THIS VEHICLE HAS 53,00 MILES ON ODOMETER. HAVE OBSERVED MANY SUCH COMPLAINTS ON RELATED INTERNET SITES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10658635

Incident

Nov 14, 2014

Mileage

53,000 mi

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND SEAT OCCUPANCY WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IN FOR SERVICE- TOLD SEAT OCCUPANT MAT (FRONT PASSENGER SEAT) HAS FAILED AND MUST BE REPLACED. REPLACEMENT IS COST PROHIBITIVE ($1700). SAFETY RISK PRESENT BECAUSE AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY IN EVENT OF CRASH. DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL AND WILL NOT REPLACE THE PART UNDER ANY EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10654212

Incident

Nov 1, 2014

Mileage

74,926 mi