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 2005 Mini Cooper owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The written "safety recall notice" that I received in the mail yesterday, October 14, 2015, of which BMW/Mini likely provided NHTSA a copy is both false and misleading. Four months after BMW/Mini notified me not to allow an adult-size person to ride in the front passenger seat of this four-seat, two-door automobile, the current written notice indicates that BMW's Mini dealers "are now ready" and I should "schedule an appointment for recall repair service as soon as possible." in using the website provided in the notice to locate the nearest dealer, I was unable to schedule an appointment. The dealer had no parts and would not even schedule an appointment to occur in the future. …
This complaint is in regard to the current recall campaign 15v-205; front passenger seat occupant detection mat sensor. The manufacturer is delinquent in making this critical safety update. The part 573 report indicated an owner notification date of May 01 -- June 01; the notification came in late June. The letter from the usdot of April 17, 2015 indicated that the recall was expected to begin on May 1. As it is now August, I would ask the agency continue putting appropriate pressure on the manufacturer. When the problem first surfaced years ago, the dealer did not seem to indicate there would be any trouble getting those parts---but they wanted almost $1500 to repair. I appreciate your continued efforts in getting my car repaired.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Mini Cooper convertible. While driving 35 MPH another driver crashed into her vehicle. The air bags did not completely deploy. As a consequence sparks from the air bag short, caused her coat to catch on fire. She suffered 2nd degree burns on the right arm and the heel of the hand. The dealer was notified, and her case was escalated to the manufacturer. She has not received a response from the manufacturer. The current and failure mileages were 75,000. Updated 3/8/10 updated 07/27/10
Mini has announced recall no. 15v-205 regarding replacement of front passenger seat occupant detection mat sensor on Mini Cooper. My Mini has this defect and in order to validate this air bag related defect, Mini required me to pay a diagnostic fee. Now, Mini is refusing to reimburse diagnostic fee needed to determine that airbag light was due to the defect associated with the front seat detection mat sensor. This fee should be reimbursed since Mini acknowledges this is a defect for the front seat mat sensor.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that the passenger side seat belt light illuminated even when the seat was occupied. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V205000 (air bags); however, the part needed 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 approximately 86,000. Ma 10/14
I received a notice from Mini Cooper important safety recall notice by mail and called to try and schedule a replacement of the seat sensor. I was told that a diagnostic test might be charged for this and it would be $150.00 for the replacement. This is freaking ridiculous, this is the second time they try to cash out at my expense... NHTSA recall number: opens new window takes away from VIN lookup section> 15V205 recall date: April 3, 2015 manufacturer recall number: na
Front driver seat occupant detection mat doesn't seem to be working correctly as it doesn't detect sometimes when there is an occupant. Second issue is the CVT transmission of this vehicle. I get a jerking motion every now and then and found a class action lawsuit linked with these transmissions. I purchased this car after this lawsuit but apparently this particular vehicle was not taken care of. My vehicle only has 70,000 miles on it and find this unacceptable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Mini Cooper. While driving 35 MPH, the air bag light continued to illuminate on and off. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic who determined that the air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,629. Updated 09/10/15 updated 11/07/2017
Power steering problems, air bag off and on, clutch went out near accident, electrical issues(many) windows up and down on their own, ever brake not working properly numerous items I have them detailed on paper
I have a 2005 Mini Cooper. The airbag sensor in the passenger seat failed after 60,000 miles, just after the car went out of warranty. This is a known defect that many Mini and BMW owners have experienced. The sensor in the passenger seat has failed causing the airbag to be permanently deactivated, even when a passenger is sitting in the seat. The dealer charges $1100 to fix the defect. I feel like the airbag should work for the life of the car, or at least up to 100,000 miles. This car has never been in an accident or had any other mechanical issues that would affect the airbag. My car is in good condition and has approximately 80,00 miles on it. This is a huge safety issue and the manufacturer should be responsible for fixing this. I would like to file a complaint against BMW and Mini Cooper and I would like the manufacturer to fix this defect at no charge to the owner of the car. …
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 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2005 Mini Cooper?
NHTSA has 48 complaints about the air bags of the 2005 Mini Cooper, 10% of the model year's 468 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Mini Cooper airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-205 (frontal, Apr 6, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Mini Cooper airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 2 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.