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2006 MINI Cooper Convertible airbags problems

14 complaints (52% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 43,001.

owner complaints
14
of this car's complaints
52%
typical mileage
43,001
crashes
0
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Sensor: occupant classification: front passenger
    1
  • Frontal
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

MINI Cooper Convertible airbags problems in other years

20052006200720082009

Specific symptoms reported on the 2006 MINI Cooper Convertible airbags

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Airbag light 8

Related recalls

Air bags: frontalReported April 6, 2015 · 91,800 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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. Due to manufacturing, installation, and exposure issues, the front passenger seat occupant detection mat may not function properly and, as a result, the front passenger air bag may not deploy in a crash.
Risk
An improperly functioning mat may cause the passenger frontal air bag to be inactive when the seat is occupied, and in the event of a crash, the air bag will not deploy, increasing the passenger's risk of injury.
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.

Recall number 15V205000 · Recall details

What 2006 MINI Cooper Convertible owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Mar 21, 2022 · Airbags · 125,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2006 Mini Cooper Convertible. The contact stated that the front passenger’s seat occupant detection mat was replaced under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V205000 (Air Bags) three years ago; however, the front passenger's side air bag warning light had been illuminating intermittently. The contact stated that the front passenger's side air bag warning light would illuminate whenever a lightweight passenger or a heavier passenger would sit in the front passenger’s seat. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

Filed May 18, 2021 · Airbags · CA

Passenger air bag light went on and i took it to Mini dealer who diagnosed that ht passenger seat matt sensor failed and recommendedreplacement of seatmatt sensor I called Mini about safetyrecall agency15V20500 of 4/6/2015, and they informed me my VIN/vehicle was not part of thatrecall

Filed May 27, 2015 · Airbags, Seats · 42,000 miles · CA

The passenger side airbag light will not turn off. Seat cannot detect passenger and disable airbag. There is a recall going on, but it did not include my VIN number. Mini USA representative gave no answer, no timeline, no additional information. Just told me to wait. I cannot believe that's bmw/mini.

Filed Jun 2, 2014 · Airbags, Electrical · 43,001 miles · VA

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.

Filed May 23, 2014 · Airbags, Electrical · 16,000 miles · NC

Passenger airbag warning light keeps flickering on and off. This happens a lot.

Filed May 1, 2014 · Airbags, Seats · 80,000 miles · CA

The passenger airbag disabled light turns on intermittently, even when the passenger seat is occupied by an adult. The airbag might not deploy in an accident. The problem is caused by a faulty passenger seat occupancy sensor mat in the seat cushion. It failed once before and was replaced by the car dealer. Now the replacement sensor mat is also failing.

Filed Apr 21, 2014 · Airbags, Electrical · 65,000 miles · MN

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.

Filed Mar 31, 2014 · Airbags · 35,000 miles · MD

An electronic board in the passenger front seat malfunctions causing the front passenger air bag to become disabled. Apparently, from all of the comments on the internet and your site, this problem is well known in that the electronic board has a flawed components. A replacement board from mini will also fail within time because no modifications or improvements have been made to this board. I have reviewed the complaints to the federal safety agency and yet your organization has failed to require a recall.

Filed Apr 22, 2013 · Airbags · 73,000 miles · MD

When you start the car the passenger seat belt light and air bag light remains on, whether or not someone is in the seat or not. The light stays on, I visited the dealership the fix cost $1241. Why is this happening. Dealer should fix this error.

Filed Apr 11, 2013 · Airbags, Electrical · 28,000 miles · OR

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.

Questions about the 2006 MINI Cooper Convertible airbags

Does the 2006 MINI Cooper Convertible have airbags problems?

Owners have filed 14 complaints about the airbags of the 2006 MINI Cooper Convertible, 52% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2006 MINI Cooper Convertible airbags problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 43,001 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2006 MINI Cooper Convertible airbags?

Yes, 1 recall: 15V205000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

Other 2006 MINI Cooper Convertible problems

Steering 10Electrical 5Seats 5Transmission 3Engine 1

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