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: airbag warning light
36 of the 314 complaints about the 2005 MINI Cooper S describe airbag warning light.
- owner complaints
- 36
- of this car's complaints
- 11%
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,200
- typical mileage
- 62,427
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 2 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Airbag warning light by model year
What owners say
Airbag light illuminated at all times. Dealership reports $1200 to replace sensor for passenger seat and may impact all airbags if not fixed.
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.
When passenger exited vehicle, light airbag off notification came on. This happens every time someone exits the passenger seat. Also airbag warning light & seatbelt not buckled light come on.
Srs light came on...passenger seat sensor issue.
The air bag light is on and says the passenger air bag is turned off. It appears that there is a weight sensor in the seat and it is defective. I have researched this issue on the internet and have found this to be a common problem. One of my concerns is that there is conflicting information not there as to weather the air bags will work or not in this condition. The dealer fix cost between 1000 and 1200 dollars to fix. These safety items should last the life of the car and not cost this much to repair. Why isn't bmw recalling this car and fixing an obvious defect?
The airbag light that warns of the passenger airbag being turned off comes on sometimes when nobody is in the seat and sometimes when a full sized adult is in the seat. *tr from what I have read this means the airbag sensor is defective and the airbag could either fail to work or deploy when it should not. I have learned that bmw issued recalls for many of their cars built with this particular seat sensor but have not done so with the mini. Are you aware of a recall for the mini? We are very worried about using this car to carry a passenger but we have to do so every day. Your help will be greatly appreciated.
The airbag light in the car shows that the airbag is off when there is someone sitting in the front passenger seat. The light comes on and then goes off, over and over again, whenever the seat is occupied. This indicates to me that the person sitting in the seat has no reliable airbag protection. This has been going on for over three years in my car. Original complaint was on 5/31/11. Still no action. Emailed mini USA and they told me there were no recalls and offered no help. This was done about one month ago. Do we have to wait until people start dying before this safety issue is fixed by mini? I am not the only mini owner having this problem. Bmw has recalled cars having this same problem. They deemed this a safety issue. Why shouldn't mini? Can you help with this problem?
Air bag indicator came on, and the "passenger air bag off" indicator came on simultaneously. Called mini cooper of pensacola, fl and they said the car was not eligible for repair. They said the bag would deploy if their was an accident at full force. I bought the car for my grand daughter and feel the air bags should be active and operable for the life of the vehicle. There are numerous complaints on the internet about this issue. I feel bmw is negligent in not recalling these vehicles and correcting a major flaw, and inherent safety issue.
The airbag light on the dash and above the windshield for the passenger seat used to go on and off without a passenger in the seat. Starting in 2011, it continues to stay on, meaning the airbag is turned off. The dealership said the airbag sensors were bad and the entire passenger seat needs to be replaced at an estimate of $1,000. The dealership could not confirm that the airbag would or would not deploy if the car faced impact and someone was in the passenger seat. This is a serious safety issue and no fault of the car owner. Please recall this problem before someone gets injured or dies.
My air bag light on the passenger side is on. Mini dealer says it is a broken sensor in the seat. I checked online forums and this is a common problem lots of complaints. Mini will not correct the problem unless I pay. It seems as if this is a safety issue and not an isolated case. I would think because of the nature of the problem there should be a recall.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mini cooper s. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the two air bag lights illuminated stating that the air bags were off despite a passenger being in the seat. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the passenger side air bag mat sensor would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified but they offered no assistance. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileage was 74,000.
Service bulletins that may apply
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
Questions about the 2005 MINI Cooper S airbag light
Is airbag warning light a common problem on the 2005 MINI Cooper S?
36 of 314 owner complaints about the 2005 MINI Cooper S (11%) mention airbag warning light. The model year with the most reports is 2006.
How much does it cost to fix airbag warning light on the 2005 MINI Cooper S?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,200 (median of 11 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2005 MINI Cooper S?
There is 1 recall and 2 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2005 MINI Cooper S
Power steering loss 75Loss of power 18Fire or smoke 15Overheating 11CVT failure 5Engine failure 5Jerking 5Steering noise 5Transmission failure 5
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