2006 Mini Cooper Convertible

PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR SHOWS AIR BAG DISABLED INTERMITTENTLY, EVEN WHEN SEAT IS OCCUPIED BY FULL SIZED ADULT (OVER 140 POUNDS). THIS MEANS MY PASSENGER IS AT RISK OF SEVERE INJURY IN CASE OF CRASH, AS THE AIR BAG IS DISABLED. IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE, THE LIGHT IS OFF AND ON INTERMITTENTLY EVEN WHEN THE SEAT IS NOT OCCUPIED. DITTO IF A 5 POUND LUNCH BOX IS ON THE SEAT. BMW/MINI REFUSES TO CORRECT THIS SIGNIFICANT SAFETY DEFECT IN MINIS, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE MAKING FREE REPAIRS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM IN MANY BMWS OF SIMILAR YEARS, AND HAVE EVEN MADE AN WARRANTY EXTENSION OF MANY YEARS AND UNLIMITED MILES FOR AFFECTED BMWS. *TR

PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR ILLUMINATES AT ALL TIMES INDICATING NO PASSENGER EVEN WHEN PASSENGER IS PRESENT, THEREBY PREVENTING THE AIRBAG FROM DEPLOYING IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS INCIDENT IS EXTREMELY WIDESPREAD AND FOUND ON COUNTLESS BLOGS ON THE INTERNET. AT THIS POINT, PEOPLE ARE COMPLETELY DISABLING THE SYSTEM THROUGH A DEVICE FOUND ONLINE JUST TO TURN THE LIGHT OFF - MEANWHILE PUTTING THEIR PASSENGERS AT RISK. BMW (MANUFACTURER OF MINI) HAS RECALLED THE SAME ITEM ON NUMEROUS BMW'S AND EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THOSE PARTS DUE TO THE INHERENT SAFETY CONCERNS. HOW THIS HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED YET OR LOOKED PAST FOR THE MINI IS COMPLETELY BAFFLING. SOMEBODY APPEARS TO NOT BE DOING THEIR JOB! SO ALONG WITH THE OTHER MULTIPLE POSTS ON THIS PARTICULAR SITE, I WOULD LIKE TO ADD MINE AND REQUEST PLEASE THAT SOMEBODY LOOK INTO THIS SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS REPEATEDLY COSTING MINI CUSTOMERS LARGE SUMS OF MONEY OR THEIR SAFETY. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. THANK YOU. *TR

PER MY RESEARCH, THIS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE 2006 MINI COOPERS. NUMEROUS BULLETIN BOARDS HAVE THE SAME QUESTIONS FOR A SAFETY CONCERN IF THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT. TOOK CAR TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND THEY GAVE US A REPAIR PRICE OF $1200.00 TO REPLACE THE LOWER SEAT FOR THE OCCUPANCY PAD IS DEFECTIVE WHICH CAUSES THE LIGHT TO COME ON FOR THE PASSENGER BAG AND ALSO THE MAIN LIGHT IN THE DASH. NOT SURE IF BMW CARES ABOUT SAFETY OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE PURCHASED THEIR VEHICLES BUT IT IS A BIT CALLOUS ON THEIR PART FOR NOT DOING A RECALL ON THE 2006 MINI COOPER SEAT SENSOR. I HAVE SEEN A REGULAR BMW VEHICLE THAT HAS A SIMILAR PROBLEM HAVE A RECALL FOR A BAD SEAT SENSOR. I AM CONCERNED FOR ANY PERSON WHO RIDES IN THE PASSENGER SEAT IF AN ACCIDENT WERE TO HAPPEN THAT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY CAUSING GREAT BODILY HARM. *TR

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE DEALER SAYS THE AIRBAG SENSOR IN THE SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE COST IS ABOUT $1000. IN 2006 MINI ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 2002 AND 2003 MODELS WITH THE SAME DEFECT. BMW'S INVESTIGATION OF THE SAME SENSOR UNDER THE PASSENGER SEATS OF BMW AUTOS RESULTED IN A RECALL OF THIS PART. NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA08001. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. MESSAGE BOARDS HAVE INSTANCES OF PEOPLE PAYING FOR THIS EXPENSIVE SAFETY DEFECT AT THE DEALER, AND THE PROBLEMS RETURNING AFTER 1 TO 2 YEARS IN SOME CASES. *TR