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2003 MINI Cooper airbags problems

10 complaints (3% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 62,200. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
10
of this car's complaints
3%
typical mileage
62,200
crashes
1
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Frontal: sensor/control module
    2
  • 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 airbags problems in other years

20022005201020152022

Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 MINI Cooper airbags

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

Airbag light 7

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Related investigations

Air bag warning lamp illuminationOpened September 27, 2005, closed March 1, 2006

In march 2006, bmw reissued a service bulletin first issued in september 2003, to mini dealers regarding the repair procedure for improper wire crimps in approximately 31,500 model year 2002 and 2003 mini cooper vehicles produced up to january 2003.the new service bulletin states that the warranty coverage for the issue (I.e., air bag warning lamp illumination with fault code for high resistance in side air bag/seat belt pretensioner circuit) is extended to 10 years or 150,000 miles, whichever occurs first.bmw plans to send letters to owners during march 2006.the subject wire crimps are located under the front seats and are part of the main wiring harness that interface with the under-seat wiring harness connectors for side air bag and seat belt pretensioner modules.bmw stated that, although the subject crimps were improperly manufactured, the crimp connection is still sufficient for the restraint system to deploy when needed.according to bmw, the electrical resistance levels in the subject vehicles can exceed the threshold that illuminates the air bag warning lamp, but they do not exceed a much higher limit in which deployment of the restraints may no longer occur.odi believes that there is lack of evidence at this time to conclude that the restraint systems may not deploy with the high resistance condition.the agency believes that further expenditure of agency resources does not appear to be warranted at this time.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists.the agency will monitor the issue and reserves the right to take future action if warranted by the circumstances.

PE05053

Air bag warning lamp illuminationOpened September 19, 2005, closed October 6, 2005

Odi has granted the petition and has opened a preliminary evaluation (pe05-053) on illumination of air bag warning lamp on model year 2002 and 2003 mini cooper vehicles.

DP05006

What 2003 MINI Cooper owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed May 12, 2019 · Airbags · 89,000 miles · CA

The warning for th epassenger airbag comes on, though apparently nothing is wromg with it. It seems to be a commmon problem that mini is aware off, puts people in danger, but doesnt do anything to fix the harness underneath the passenger seat, which they quote at 1200 to 1400 to repair their ill design and final product

Filed Apr 21, 2015 · Airbags · 65,000 miles · WA

The dashboard airbag warning lamp is always illuminated. The dealer wants thousands to fix this problem even though other model years have been recalled. We don't know if the airbag will operate correctly in an emergency.

Filed Aug 14, 2012 · Airbags · 93,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mini cooper. The contact stated that the air bag warning lamp illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 93,000.

Filed Feb 1, 2012 · Airbags, Electrical · OR

Beginning in approximately april of 2009, the airbag warning light has been on constantly. Anyone who is intelligent enough to use any internet search engine can find hundreds of accounts of the same issue. Due to what has been independently verified as a wiring problem in the seat sensors, the airbag warning light is always on and can cause the car to deploy with improper force. This is a widely known issue with mini owners, and several independent mechanics have all attributed the problem to a wiring harness underneath the seat that breaks due to moving the seat back and forth. Unless I'm missing pages from the manual, moving the seat back and forth is a normal function, and it should not be considered normal wear and tear if simply moving the seat back and forth can render the airbag sensor useless. Mini acknowledged this issue in 2006, and stated 'in the interest of customer satisfaction, we are extending the warranty coverage of the vehicle for defects that may occur, for this specific air bag warning lamp issue, on your vehicle for 10 years / 150,000 miles, whichever occurs first. Under terms of this warranty coverage, mini will cover all necessary repair costs related to this action.' I have been told three times by mini that this does not apply to my car. They cannot provide any information as to why it does not apply. They just tell me that my car is not eligible for this repair despite the fact that it clearly fits the bill. This is a major safety issue. The wiring is clearly defective, and nobody should have to pay out of pocket to have a defect corrected. Mini won't even pay to have a technician diagnose the issue.

Filed May 31, 2011 · Airbags · 33,000 miles · DC

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mini cooper. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they diagnosed that the air bag module was faulty. The air bag module was replaced and the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 33,000 and the current mileage was 36,000. Updated 07/08/11

Filed Oct 31, 2008 · Airbags · 82,000 miles · CO

Air bag check light is on. No air bag was deployed, no crash was involved. This is on going problem with the mini cooper which should have a recall. If not repaired air bag may not deploy in a crash.

Filed Jan 4, 2007 · Airbags · 41,500 miles · PA · crash · 1 injury

Tl*- the contact's vehicle was involved in a crash on 12-28-06 while driving at 55 MPH, and the air bags did not deploy. The contact's vehicle was hit on the driver's side, the car then spun, and hit the guard rail head on and went into the left lane. . The contact has pictures and a police report. The contact stated that injuries were sustained during the crash because the air bags did not deploy.

Filed Sep 5, 2005 · Airbags · 62,200 miles · SC

Air bag check light is on. No air bag was deployed, no crash was involved. This is on going problem with the mini cooper which should have a recall. Cost is over 1000.00 dollars to repair. If not repaired air bag may not deploy in a crash.

Filed Sep 8, 2004 · Airbags · 54,000 miles · MI

After starting the vehicle air bag warning light illuminated. The dealership was notifed, but did not resolve the problem.

Filed Jan 20, 2004 · Airbags, Body · 75 miles · CA

This car is less than a year old. So far the air bag indicator light malfunctioned, the radio was replaced, the passenger window motor was replaced, the navigation system display is about to be replaced, and two red marks on the takometer no longer light up.

Questions about the 2003 MINI Cooper airbags

Does the 2003 MINI Cooper have airbags problems?

Owners have filed 10 complaints about the airbags of the 2003 MINI Cooper, 3% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2003 MINI Cooper airbags problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 62,200 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2003 MINI Cooper airbags?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the MINI Cooper have bad airbags?

The MINI Cooper model years with the most airbags complaints are 2006 (111 complaints), 2009 (62 complaints) and 2007 (47 complaints).

Other 2003 MINI Cooper problems

Steering 159Transmission 89Engine 29Electrical 26Visibility 25Suspension 6Acceleration 4Brakes 4Seats 4Tires 4Body 3Fuel system 3Locks 3Lights 2

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