Our 2006 MINICooper hatchback's passenger side air bag indicator stays on with or without a passenger. Sometimes with a passenger, it will go on and off sporadically. If the light is on when there is a passenger it would be logical to assume that the airbag will not deploy. After researching this problem on the internet, it would appear that this problem is wide-spread and dangerous.

- Vega Baja, PR, USA

The SRS detector mat for turning off the airbags in the event of an underweight occupant is easily broken. When broken, sensors disable the airbags. This part is extremely expensive to replace and I can not afford it on a fixed income ($1600). This is a safety issue and should be a recall. The mat has issues: 1) very prone to failure and 2) integrated into the seat cushion so it can not be replaced itself, it must have the seat cushion replaced also. My model is a special edition and there are no parts in the usa. 11 in germany at a very high price.

- Southport, NC, USA

Passenger seat occupancy sensor is defective. The passenger seat air bag light illuminates after engine start along with the red air bag failure warning light. Doesn't matter if seat occupied or not. This is a safety hazard due to disabling air bag. MINIdealers deny this is a manufacturing defect or design problem yet there are over 40 complaints on this forum. Repair costs are substantial to replace bottom seat cushion. A modification kit or retrofit to replace defective seat mat is needed.

- Felton, DE, USA

Our 2006 MINICooper hatchback's passenger side air bag indicator stays on with or without a passenger. Sometimes with a passenger, it will go on and off sporadically. If the light is on when there is a passenger it would be logical to assume that the airbag will not deploy. After researching this problem on the internet, it would appear that this problem is wide-spread and dangerous.

- Glendale, AZ, USA

The right front occupant sensor for air bag appears to be defective. It had to be replaced. We have heard of several MINICooper's that have defective seat sensors. When this sensor fails, the air bags may not deploy as designed. This is a safety system failure. Cost to replace this sensor was over $1,400.

- N Wilkesboro, NC, USA

Issues with airbag light in 2006 MINICooper S, when someone is in the seat if they are not sitting just the right way the light will go on, warning us the airbag is deactivated, sometimes the airbag light will go on for the passenger seat with nobody in the seat. Sometimes the seatbelt warning light will come on with no one in the seat as well. Moving the seat will sometimes correct the issue. Complaints to MINIand dealer were on deaf ears. [xxx] I copied and pasted the complaint, but my problem is exactly the same. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Dubuque, IA, USA

Over the course of the past six months the SRS light was intermittently coming on. In the past few weeks it finally came on and stayed on. I took to the local BMW/MINIdealer and they assessed it for $167. Then I was told it was a passenger seat sensor issue and the cost of the part and labor would be approximately $1100. I did some research on the matter and realized that dozens if not hundreds of MINIowners have had the same problems with the sensors, seats and lights dating back to 2003+. seems to me that if it's been an issue that their so called engineering department might resolve the problems without costing owners this kind of money. I think its a rip job by the dealers and a failure of the engineers at MINIto resolve the problem. Cost for such a repair should be on them. I will make sure to report to anyone that will listen to stay away from the purchase of these cars due to the potential for future problems.

- Miami, FL, USA

Unfastened seat belt warning light stays on and airbag off indicator stays lit at all times, with or without a passenger riding in the seat no matter the weight of the passenger. Unfastened seat belt warning bell/ding does not chime.

- Commerce, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2006 MINICooper S. the contact stated that the front passenger side air bag light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the passenger seat air bag sensor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were unknown.

- Belmont , CA, USA

The contact owns a 2006 MINICooper. The contact stated that while driving 15 mph, he noticed that the air bag light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The light remained illuminated whenever the vehicle was in motion. The dealer was not notified. The manufacturer was notified and offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 50,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Lake Charles, LA, USA

The air bag light came on for 2nd time. The 1st. Was 08-11-10 @ 81,539 miles.the control unit for the air bag was replaced. Pn: 65-77-184-432. Cost for the module was $507. Part has a 2 year warranty form BMW. Started car Friday morning to go to work and the warning light came back on. Will take back to dealer. Part should last more than 1 1/2 years. This is a expensive part and labor was $400 the last time it was replaced. Am I the only one to have this air bag problem. I do not think the air bags will work with the light on. This is a safety problem to me.

- Orange Beach, AL, USA

The passenger side air bag started having intermittent failures starting about 55,000 miles and little over three years, seven months after purchase. Full failure occurred at 80,000. The seat was not commonly used. The car is used primarily to commute to and from work by one person.

- Mclean , VA, USA

Passenger airbag light comes on intermittently. This has been reported countless times with 2005-2006 MINICooper S vehicles. The identical part from BMW was part of a recall in the last few years.

- Vestavia Hills, AL, USA

The SRS light is on and the passenger airbag light is also on even with a passenger sitting in the seat. This is a known issue due to bad wiring harness under the seats but BMW, MINIis refusing to rectify the faulty problems for 2005 and 2006 models of the 1st generation MINICooper. 2004 and 2003 MINICoopers were honored with an extended warranty on the SRS system for 150K miles or 10 years. With the SRS light on, the airbag system and the seat belt activation system may fail on the passenger side even with a passenger in the car. The problem has already been reported with a service bulletin. The airbag warning light is on with a fault stored. The wiring under the seat may be pinched or damaged. Service bulletin number:sim-65-06-11 NHTSA item number:10039593.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

SRS warning light requiring OC3 mat replacement at only 60K miles. Passenger air bag will not deploy in case of collision. Cost of replacement is quoted as $1374.83.

- Elkton, MD, USA

Air bag warning lamp illuminated as well as "airbag off" light illuminated. Occurs when passenger is and is not in seat. Audio for seatbelt occurs when passenger is not in seat. MINIdealer repaired initially at about 30K miles, occurred again at 48K miles.

- Oakland, CA, USA

I have a MINIS 2006. Approximately 2 weeks ago the dash airbag light came on. Then went off. Now the light stays on constantly. I was told this is a $1300 job. My car is in excellent shape. The car has a defect somewhere, 75000 miles? the air bag sensor should not be faulty.

- Biloxi, MS, USA

The air bag light is on above my rear view mirror and on my dash. I have found on multiple sites that this is a common issue.

- Marysville, OH, USA

Airbag warning light comes on whether or not a passenger is in the front passenger seat. The dealer says the airbag sensor in the seat needs to be replaced. This cost us over $1500. In 2006 MINIissued 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. Someone with be seriously hurt or killed if the passenger airbag fails to deploy.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

Airbag passenger mat seat sensor. This has been a ongoing problem from the 2003 to present. Seat sensor turns airbag light on and can disable air bag on passenger side and according to MINIdealership, not on factory recall but they say get hundreds a year and charge to replace sensor at $1000. Safety issue! someone really needs to have them fix a known issue at all dealerships and put peoples lives in danger.

- Anderson, IN, USA