2009 Mini Cooper

The contact owns a 2009 Mini Cooper. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the seat belt warning light illuminated even though there was no passenger seated in the passenger’s seat. The contact stated that the warning light remained illuminated with the passenger’s seat occupied and the seat belt properly fastened. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

The passenger occupancy seat sensor is defective (as reported by many other owners of this vehicle model). The sensor is very costly to replace in terms of parts ($1,500) and labor ($1,500) and MINI does not sell the sensor separately as it is embedded in the seat foam. The defective sensor does not recognize a passenger sitting in the passenger seat and deactivates the passenger airbag which is an essential, lifesaving device fitted to a small vehicle. When involved in a major vehicle collision, without a working airbag, the risk of fatality drastically increases. The sensor is also responsible for NOT deploying the airbag if a passenger under 100lbs is sitting in the seat ie. a child. Again, this is a massive safety concern especially due to other owners resorting to a cheap aftermarket bypass module which will always deploy the airbag. This solution could seriously injure or cause fatalities for passengers under 100lbs. Other MINI models with the same electronic occupancy sensor problems have had recalls issued by the NHTSA and has not issued recalls for vehicles with the same issue consistently. It is the NHTSA's responsibility to hold the manufacturer accountable for ALL vehicle models with similar defects impacting the safe and consistent operation of life preservation devices such as airbags especially when repair costs for these defective devices are cost prohibitive for vehicle owners to replace.

The contact owns a 2009 Mini Cooper. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the passenger occupant sensor light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the mat switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised by the dealer that there was a recall for the mat switch however, neither the VIN nor the vehicle was included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000.

Unknown. I purchased a used 2009 mini cooper in 2013. The airbag light went on for the passenger front side shortly after. I took it to be looked at and was told it would cost around 1,000 to be replaced. I couldn't afford that and felt that since it was never in an accident it must be defective. I contacted Mini cooper via email and phone calls and was told that since there wasn't any recalls, they couldn't do anything. I have always been uneasy driving with passengers, including my grandson in the car. I honestly expected Mini cooper to replace the airbag, but here we are, hoping nothing happens to the safety of my passengers... please reply with any information for me.

SRS warning light on. Intermittent at first. Passenger seat occupancy light on and off intermittently, occupied or not. SRS code reader indicates the problem is the passenger seat occupancy sensor. Mini dealer states the repair is not covered under warrantee. I fear for the safety of my front seat passenger if airbag does not deploy and/or the safety of a smaller child if it does deploy.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MINI COOPER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG AND THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 156,000.