When adjusting the driver and passenger seats, the airbag light illuminated. After researching online, I conducted troubleshooting. I verified that the wiring harnesses and connectors for the airbag sensors under both seats had come loose, and certain wires de-pinned. The car was running, and parked when this occurred.
2005 MINI Cooper S airbags problems
71 complaints (23% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 60,450. 2 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 71
- of this car's complaints
- 23%
- typical mileage
- 60,450
- crashes
- 2
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Frontal11
- Side/window2
- Sensor: occupant classification2
- Frontal: sensor/control module1
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 S airbags problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2005 MINI Cooper S airbags
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Air bags: frontal
- 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 2005 MINI Cooper S owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
2005 mini cooper s was traveling 50mph when it hit icy bridge spun around and rolled 3 times driver was wearing a seatbelt and passenger was not and got ejected and died.no airbags deployed. Hwy 299.*dt
The passenger seat occupancy mat was replaced by recall on 10/28/2016. On 10/2018 I noticed that when there is a passenger in the seat with their seat belt on the air bag was off, in 1 weeks time the passenger side seat belt light was on all the time and the air bag is off all the time with or without someone occuping the seat. Reguardless if the car is idiling or going down the rode. At least before the recalled mat sensor was replaced the seat mat sensor worked most of the time. Now it does not work at all. I took it to the dealership and they tested the oc3 mat (passenger side mat sensor) and said there are multiple codes for the oc3 mat and they found internal faults and it requires replacement again. They said this recall is no longer under warrenty and I need to pay over 1500.00 to have it replaced. It is unsafe for me to have a passenger in my car if we got into an accident their airbag would not be on, there for they would have no airbags to deploy to try and protect them. How is this my fault? They replaced my mat sensor with another faulty one that is worse then the first one. How long are the warrenties for recalls and the parts replaced? I have the papers from the dealership stating what I just reported to you.
Airbag light illuminated at all times. Dealership reports $1200 to replace sensor for passenger seat and may impact all airbags if not fixed.
I have a safety recall (no. 25v‑205), an air bag problem, issued last june and have now received another recall ((15v‑660). The first recall has yet to be repaired.the air bag "off" light is on all the time. I have contacted mini and the dealer twice and they tell me there is not a fix yet. I think 6 months is long enough for an air bag problem. I have not had a problem with the second recall, a steering problem, but I assume it could happen. I am concerned that the combination of these two creates an extra dangerous condition. I asked mini if they would pay for a rental when I needed to have a passenger. They refused. This is my only vehicle and I have no other choice.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mini cooper s. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v205000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Updated 11/18/15*lj the consumer stated she paid for an air bag sensor two years. Updated 12/15/15.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mini cooper s. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v205000 (air bags) and stated that the part was not available within a reasonable timeframe to schedule the recall repair. The dealer did not give a specific date for when the part would become available. The manufacturer could not provide an estimated date for when the contact's vehicle would receive the recall repair. The contact was not experiencing a failure.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mini cooper s. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v205000 (air bags); however, the part needed to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. In addition, the contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.
My passenger air bag has been inactive for over two years due to a problem with the seat sensor. I recently saw there was a recall for this issue, but according to my VIN my vehicle has no open recalls so it would seem I'm not covered by the current recall even though I have the issue. Can you please investigate and let me know as I would love to get this faulty safety feature repaired!
Passenger bag system has not worked for over two years.
Questions about the 2005 MINI Cooper S airbags
Does the 2005 MINI Cooper S have airbags problems?
Owners have filed 71 complaints about the airbags of the 2005 MINI Cooper S, 23% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2005 MINI Cooper S airbags problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 60,450 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2005 MINI Cooper S airbags?
Yes, 1 recall: 15V205000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the MINI Cooper S have bad airbags?
The MINI Cooper S model years with the most airbags complaints are 2005 (71 complaints), 2006 (67 complaints) and 2008 (30 complaints).
Other 2005 MINI Cooper S problems
Steering 212Electrical 23Engine 16Transmission 13Seats 8Body 4Lights 3Suspension 3Visibility 3Acceleration 2Locks 2Seat belts 2Brakes 1Fuel system 1Tires 1
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