Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Mini Cooper S owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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. …
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. …
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. …
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2006 MINI Cooper and Cooper S vehicles manufactured January 5, 2005, to November 28, 2006, and 2005-2008 MINI Cooper Convertible and Cooper S Convertible vehicles manufactured January 5, 2005, to July 31, 2008.
Remedy: MINI will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat occupant detection mat, free of charge. The recall began on October 12, 2015. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
Airbag complaints in other Cooper S years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2006 Mini Cooper S?
NHTSA has 85 complaints about the air bags of the 2006 Mini Cooper S, 38% of the model year's 222 complaints. The component named most often is sensor › occupant classification (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Mini Cooper S airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-205 (frontal, Apr 6, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2006 Mini Cooper S airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.