2008 Mini Cooper S Airbag Problems

Which parts fail

• Sensor › Occupant classification
  1

Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  312%
• 25k–50k
  520%
• 50k–75k
  832%
• 75k–100k
  624%
• 100k–150k
  312%
• 150k+
  00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Mini Cooper S owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

I was in a bad car accident in which my car was rear ended. I was in the very most right hand lane on the highway, at a stop in stop and go traffic. The vehicle behind me did not stop, hitting me at approximately 75 MPH. As a result, my car spun out to the right and hit the guard rail on the side of the highway head on. The car then bounced off of the guard rail, and spun about 180 degrees to the left, where the rear end of the car then hit the same guard rail and finally stopped. When the car crashed into the guard rail head on, the air bag did not deploy and I hit my head and my chest against the steering wheel. I sustained a fracture in my t2 vertebrae and bad chest bruising.

Starting around 65,000 miles passenger airbag sensor appeared on the dashboard when car would be turned on and would remain on while driving even though no one was in the passenger seat. Had it checked by local Mini workshop and they said it was due to the defective passenger airbag mat in 2001-2008 models. They looked up my car for recall using my VIN and my car was not included, though the 2008 Cooper s convertible that uses the same exact part was included. This makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. This is a safety recall!! All models should be included since all models have the problem!! It is completely absurd that Mini would pick and choose which of their customer's lives they want to save. I am being quoted between $700 and $1200 to get this issue fixed. …

Takata recall: my 2008 Mini Cooper s hardtop began experiencing issues with the "passenger air bag off" light staying lite whether or not a passenger is in the car. On April 28, 2016, I took my car to a Mini Cooper dealership to have the issue diagnosed (at a cost of $53.95). The diagnosis states "fault passenger side seat mat sensor" (invoice copy attached). I don't understand why my vehicle that meets the criteria for the April 2015 air-bag recall except it is a hardtop instead of a convertible is not included in the recall. To fix this item will be over 1300. My car only has 14,000 miles on it. Due to the cost, at this point I do not plan on having it fixed and will say my prayers every time I travel with a passenger in the vehicle.

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper s. While the front passenger seat was occupied, the air bag failure warning indicator illuminated, indicating that the entire air bag system was deactivated. The failure recurred each time a passenger was seated in the front passenger seat. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the seat occupancy mat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 79,500. Updated 09/25/15 updated

The seat occupancy sensor malfunctions. The passenger side airbag May not deploy even if the passenger side seat is occupied. The airbag light sometimes stays on, while sometimes goes away. Mini has recalled several cars for seat occupancy sensor mat fault but my car isn't on the list. The light stays on when vehicle is stationary and also while running. I'm unable to use the passenger seat for safety concern. The airbag light goes away on its own as well but turns back on within a few miles.

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper s. When the vehicle was started, the air bag warning indicator was consistently illuminated. The failure recurred each time the vehicle was started. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure was unable to be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V205000 (air bags). The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

I bought this car used with 86,100 miles on it. When driving within the first 500 miles, the airbag light and seat belt restraint system indicated on my dash (both the tachometer and the speedometer). An alert for the airbag appears as an icon on the tachometer. I took the car to the dealership who indicated the auto got wet which caused the air bag module to fail, which now needs replacement at a ridiculously high cost.

Air bag warning with the fault code 93c3 which has caused a recall of 91 thousand vehicles... My Mini s is not a recall car. (on the same grid as the recalled Mini's...same OEM repair parts) Mini USA representative [jamie] suggested I remove the air bag and put a sign up in the dash indicating 'no air bag" if I did not want to pay the $1500.00+ in repaiir cost... And that will allow me to pass the state inspection.

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.

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper s. While driving various speeds, the front passenger side air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the seat occupancy mat would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000.

Related recalls

Airbag complaints in other Cooper S years