The passenger seat air bag sensor turns off the air bags because of a defective mat sensor in the passenger seat. This is a safety issue because the air bags will not deploy with a passenger. MINIhas a very expensive fix to replace the sensor at about $1200. Hundreds of MINIowners complain about this problem and MINIwill not fix it. BMW issued a recall for the same part.

- Massillon, OH, USA

The air bag light comes on and the passenger air bag light is also on even if there is a passenger seating. This is a defective part (possibly the airbag weight sensor) its just a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt or killed if the airbags do not deploy. A recall was issued for the same problem for the 02-06 models and this recall should be extended for later models.

- Aventura, FL, USA

Passenger side airbag indicator lights up. No one has ever sat in the seat. Repair estimate is $1,600. This is a safety issue and should be covered.

- Broomfield, CO, USA

Saturday night, Dec. 28, 2013. I go downtown with my girlfriend. She has a big bag so we let the passenger seat up to put her bag in the back seat. As soon as she sits down and we begin to drive air bag light in the roof and pre belt tensioner goes off. I check the seat and seat belt. Nothing visibly wrong. My girlfriend is 5'4 120 lbs. This is ridiculous. I googled the problem and find out BMW who makes MINIcooper knows this is a problem and issued a recall on earlier years but later years need a recall as well as this is angling dangerous and expensive issue to fix. You can find problems all over the net regarding this issue. Make BMW-MINIcooper fix this issue that they know about before someone gets hurt.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

The air bag light is on and the passenger air bag is off light is also on even if there is a passenger seating. Based on the number of complaints here for the same issue, it looks like this is a defective part. This is a major safety issue where the airbag might or might not deploy in case of an accident. The dealer wants $1,200 to get this fixed.

- Pine Hill, NJ, USA

Restraint system malfunction warning came on while driving. Dealer says clock spring failed cost 1300 to repair not covered under warranty or a recall and the car airbag may not deploy if not repaired. Toyota has recalled my 2005 truck for a similar issue with the air bags is this not a safety issue for BMW / MINIplease investigate. Thank you

- Gainesville, GA, USA

My passenger air bag light continues to go on and off at random intervals (ie. Regardless of someone being in the seat, driving conditions, etc). This started one day when I turned my vehicle on after normal operations. This is a well documented problem with MINICoopers made after 2005, there should be a recall for this safety problem.

- Arlington, VA, USA

The contact owns a 2007 MINIMINICooper S. the contact was traveling 55 mph when the contact traveled over a slick area in the asphalt. The contact lost control of the vehicle, rolled over and crashed into a ditch upside down. The air bags failed to deploy. The crash caused no injuries and the police were contacted. A police report was filed of the incident. The vehicle was destroyed and the failure was not inspected. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure and current mileages were 74,500.

- Madisonville, KY, USA

Upon starting my car in the parking lot at the end of a work day, an indicator light came on in my 2007 MINICooper indicating a problem with the air bag. My mechanic was able to determine that the problem was with the driver's side air bag (code 93A8 stage 1). He reset the light and the same problem occurred a few days later. He checked the code again and it was the same. As a result, he contacted the nearest MINIservice center. Although this is a known problem with the air bag connection, MINIcharges about $600 to replace it even though no accident had occurred, no hard stops, nothing to trigger the air bag. Until the problem is fixed, the driver's side air bag will not deploy in the case of an accident.

- Bowie, MD, USA

Passenger airbag light off comes on and off regularly, have repeatedly reported problem to dealer. Was in car accident, front on collision over 30 mph, neither airbag deployed. New warning came on stating problems with airbag system, dealer said there was no problem. Warning lights keep coming on, have reported problem to dealer, waiting on replacement part.

- Prairie Village, KS, USA

Airbag light on speedometer/tach, not in overhead console.

- Easton, PA, USA

For one year my 2007 MINICooper S has had a defect in the passenger airbag system as it disables when a passenger is seated and the vehicle is either stopped or in motion.

- Austin, TX, USA

The passenger seat airbag goes off (the indicator light signals that the passenger side airbag is off), when a 105 pound adult woman is seated in the passenger seat. I was told by my local MINIcooper dealer that the seat does not sense someone in the passenger seat unless they are 115 lbs or more. I feel that this is dangerous since there are plenty of adult females that weigh less than 115 lbs. I have taken this issue to MINIcorporate and they referred me to NHTSA. I spoke with an airbag representative at NHTSA who told me that the testing conditions for MINIcooper 2007 were done with a 108 lb female. I am frequently the passenger in this vehicle and do not feel safe knowing that the airbags are off. In the event that my husband and I are in an accident requiring airbags, they will not deploy on the passenger side.

- Elkins Park, PA, USA