FaultScore

Mini Cooper S airbag problems

281 of the 2,181 complaints filed about the Mini Cooper S are about the airbag system — 13% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2005.

281

Complaints

13%

Share of all complaints

13

Crashes

0

Fires

Airbags complaints by model year

2002 Cooper S 15 5.3%

Median failure at 86,000 miles

2003 Cooper S 7 2.5%

Median failure at 48,000 miles

2004 Cooper S 8 2.8%

Median failure at 80,000 miles

2005 Cooper S 78 27.8%

Median failure at 60,450 miles

2006 Cooper S 71 25.3%

Median failure at 55,000 miles

2007 Cooper S 28 10.0%

Median failure at 66,860 miles

2008 Cooper S 31 11.0%

Median failure at 64,500 miles

2009 Cooper S 19 6.8%

Median failure at 53,500 miles

2010 Cooper S 9 3.2%

Median failure at 68,000 miles

2011 Cooper S 5 1.8%

Median failure at 80,000 miles

2012 Cooper S 1 0.4%
2013 Cooper S 4 1.4%

Median failure at 42,630 miles

2014 Cooper S 2 0.7%

Median failure at 36,500 miles

2015 Cooper S 2 0.7%

Median failure at 80,000 miles

2017 Cooper S 1 0.4%

Median failure at 17,200 miles

What owners said

2015 Mini Cooper S Montgomery, TX

AIR BAGS

Defect in passenger frontal airbag-The front passenger seat occupancy detection mat is not functioning correctly. This was recalled but not for my VIN and needs to be part of the recall.

NHTSA complaint #11637797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Mini Cooper S at 61,180 miles Yorktown, VA

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2013 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag and the seat belt warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken the BMW dealer and diagnosed with failed front driver's side door air bag sensor and a failed passenger occupancy sensor. The contact was informed that the front driver's side door air bag sensor and the passenger's occupancy sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure reoccurred with the driver's side door air bag sensor. The vehicle was taken back to the BMW dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with a faulty front driver's side door air bag sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to a Mini dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to a Mini dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 61,180. The consumer stated that during the last diagnostic check on at the last dealership, it was found that the vehicle had a leaking valve cover gasket, coolant was leaking, as well was the thermostat needed to be replaced. The contact took the vehicle to Mini who contacted silver rock for approval of gasket and coolant repairs, but the items were not covered under the warranty contract.

NHTSA complaint #11553773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Mini Cooper S at 80,000 miles Bronx, NY

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2015 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front passenger’s side air bag warning light remained illuminated stating that the air bag was turned off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the seat mat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the request for assistance was denied. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA complaint #11549827 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Mini Cooper S Coral Gables, FL

AIR BAGS

All air bags lights are on. Indicates airbags are deactivated.

NHTSA complaint #11514570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Mini Cooper S at 90,350 miles Greer, SC

AIR BAGS

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 complaint #11460503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Mini Cooper S at 79,000 miles Newhall, CA

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2009 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that an airbag warning light would intermittently flash on the instrument panel. The contact also stated that the passenger’s side airbag would remain off with or without a passenger seated in the passenger’s side seat. The dealer had been notified of the failure and informed him that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The contact was also informed that there was a 10-year warranty placed on the vehicle for the airbag; however, the 10-year warranty had expired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.

NHTSA complaint #11440703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Mini Cooper S at 79,000 miles Newhall, CA

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

The contact owns a 2009 Mini Cooper S. The contact stated that an airbag warning light would intermittently flash on the instrument panel. The contact also stated that the passenger’s side airbag would remain off with or without a passenger seated in the passenger’s side seat. The dealer had been notified of the failure and informed him that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The contact was also informed that there was a 10-year warranty placed on the vehicle for the airbag; however, the 10-year warranty had expired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.

NHTSA complaint #11440703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Mini Cooper S at 86,000 miles Raleigh, NC

AIR BAGS

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR/PASSENGER SEATBELT SENSOR ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED AND FIXED IN LOTS OF OTHER MINI COOPER MODEL YEARS IS SEEMINGLY AN ISSUE WITH 2010 MODELS TOO AND NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED VIA RECALL. THE SENSOR BEING FAULTY IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN, AND RUNS CLOSE TO $1200 TO REPAIR. MY SENSOR WAS INTERMITTENTLY OFF AND ON AND IS NOW FULL TIME WARNING ABOUT THE AIRBAG BEING OFF. THIS HAPPENS NO MATTER THE STATUS OF THE VEHICLE - AS SOON AS THE MOTOR IS RUNNING THE WARNING LIGHTS ARE LIT UP.

NHTSA complaint #11378369 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Mini Cooper S at 48,000 miles Fairfield, ME

AIR BAGS

PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR ISSUE, I HAVE SEEN THIS REPORTED IN OTHER MINI COOPERS THAT WERE RECALLED BUT MY SPECIFIC MODEL WAS NOT. I WANT TO BE SURE ALL APPLICABLE VEHICLES ARE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND OTHER MINI OWNERS. I HAVE NO AIRBAG FUNCTION RIGHT NOW AND BOTH MY DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHTS ARE ON. MY MECHANIC STATED THAT I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR AT THE LEAST.

NHTSA complaint #11377693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Mini Cooper S Bayamon, PR

AIR BAGS

OUR VEHICLE HAS THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON AND I AM AM VERY CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY OF OUR FAMILY. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, THERE ARE MANY MINI OWNERS THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS DEEPER THAN AN ISOLATED ISSUE ON MY VEHICLE. I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUES THAT WAS CONVERTED INTO A RECALL FOR SEVERAL YEARS BEFORE. MINI SHOULD CONSIDERED DOING AN INVESTIGATION AND EXTENDING THE RECALL TO OTHER YEAR MODELS INCLUDING MY 2012.

NHTSA complaint #11375677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Mini Cooper S at 81,253 miles Henderson, KY

AIR BAGS

THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT SENSOR HAS FAILED. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG IS NOT ACTIVATE IN A CRASH WHEN THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED. RECALLS ACTIVE FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE FOR THE SAME MAKE IN OTHER YEARS AND MODELS ARE CURRENTLY RECALLED HOWEVER OTHERS ARE EXCLUDED.

NHTSA complaint #11366861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Mini Cooper S at 90,000 miles Graham, WA

AIR BAGS

TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS OFF LINE. THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS DO NOT TURN ON WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATED. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT SHOWS THAT IT IS NOT TURNING ON WITH OR WITHOUT A PASSENGER. ALSO THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE TACHOMETER WHEN I START THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM BEGAN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND STATIONARY.

NHTSA complaint #11361883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Mini Cooper S Eddy, TX

AIR BAGS

WARNING MESSAGE FOR SEAT BELT TENSION/AIR BAG MALFUNCTION AND BOTH LIGHTS ARE ON. THE VEHICLE HAS 40+ THOUSAND MILES ON IT, I AM A SECOND OWNER. THIS PROBLEM JUST STARTED ON MAY 29, 2020. NO ACCIDENTS FOR THIS VEHICLE. COST FOR REPAIR IS OVER $2000 AND SO FAR THERE'S ONLY RECALLS FOR 2008 CONVERTIBLE WHICH I TOTALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND. THIS LOOKS TO BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE MINI AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED DUE TO THE AIR BAGS BEING AFFECTED. I CURRENTLY HAVE NO PHOTOS BUT CAN READILY SUPPLY PHOTOS UPON REQUEST. THE SEAT BELT LIGHT/AIR BAG EMBLEM SHOWS ON THE DASH SCREEN WHEN ENTERING THE KEY WHILE STATIONARY, NO ONE IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND DOES NOT GO AWAY WHEN OCCUPIED.

NHTSA complaint #11327289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Mini Cooper S at 79,000 miles Arab, AL

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MINI COOPER S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON THREE OCCASIONS, THE MAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT WAS REPLACED DUE TO THE WARNING LIGHT BEING ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MINI OF BIRMINGHAM LOCATED AT 2001 TOM WILLIAMS WAY, BIRMINGHAM, AL 35210, 205-267-4505. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1,200. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE PART MAY ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL JUNKYARD. THE MAT SENSOR WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEAT SHOULD BE REPLACED WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

NHTSA complaint #11319813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Mini Cooper S at 79,000 miles Wilmington, CA

AIR BAGS

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 complaint #11319039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Mini Cooper S at 79,000 miles Wilmington, CA

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

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 complaint #11319039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Mini Cooper S at 119,000 miles Prlando, FL

AIR BAGS

AIRBAG AND SEATBELT WARNING LIGHTS COME ON FOR PASSENGER SEAT AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. IT INDICATES THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT ACTIVATE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT WITH AN OCCUPANT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. FRONT PASSENGER WILL NOT HAVE AIRBAG PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

NHTSA complaint #11287864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Mini Cooper S at 119,000 miles Prlando, FL

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

AIRBAG AND SEATBELT WARNING LIGHTS COME ON FOR PASSENGER SEAT AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. IT INDICATES THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT ACTIVATE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT WITH AN OCCUPANT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. FRONT PASSENGER WILL NOT HAVE AIRBAG PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

NHTSA complaint #11287864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Mini Cooper S at 80,000 miles Metuchen, NJ

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT INDICATING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IS DISABLED EVEN IF PASSENGER IS SEATED. OUR MECHANIC TELLS US THE ON-BOARD COMPUTER SYSTEM NO LONGER RECOGNIZES THE PASSENGER FRONT AIRBAG SENSOR. CONSEQUENTIALLY, THE AIRBAGS ARE BEING DISABLED ON BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE OF THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #11287524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Mini Cooper S at 80,000 miles Metuchen, NJ

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT INDICATING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IS DISABLED EVEN IF PASSENGER IS SEATED. OUR MECHANIC TELLS US THE ON-BOARD COMPUTER SYSTEM NO LONGER RECOGNIZES THE PASSENGER FRONT AIRBAG SENSOR. CONSEQUENTIALLY, THE AIRBAGS ARE BEING DISABLED ON BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE OF THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #11287524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Mini Cooper S problems