After getting the passenger seat occupancy light followed by the airbag light I took Cooper S to MINI dealer in October 2013. Passenger seat cushion was replaced. Two days later the airbag light was back on again. Service advisor said the replacement seat cushion had failed and they replaced with another.


Six months later the airbag light begins illuminating again along with the seatbelt light. Dealer replaces sensor mat for passenger seat a third time. Service advisor reports they also found fault code 72 stored in MRS. After picking car up I didn’t get to the first exit on highway before getting lights again so I turned around and took it back. Service advisor reports they found fault codes 30, 90, and 91, ran through test plan, test plan said to replace body control module (BC1). Replaced BC1, programmed BC1, cleared fault memory, faults did not return. Returned a few days later with same airbag and seat belt lights, also have new problems with turn signals that stop working, DRL not on, and one key not recognized. Service advisor reports multiple fault codes for low voltage and power supply. Also battery failed energy diagnosis. Replaced battery and cleared faults. One fault for MRS control module stored but not flagging warning. DRL and second key working again due to reprogramming BC1. The airbag and seatbelt lights come on again and when warning lights come on the turn signals stop working. Returned to dealer and service advisor recommends pulling out seats and carpet to inspect wiring harness. Reports wiring harness is fine but found faults for MRS communication and internal MRS failure. Replaced MRS (control unit for airbag) and cleared faults. Tested airbag system and no further faults. Drove the car away from dealer only couple exits when both seatbelt and airbag lights return. They are not on when starting car but come on a few minutes into drive. Shutting off car and restarting clears the warning lights. When lights come on the turn signals sometimes stop working until car is shut off and restarted. Additionally, the cabin blower (air conditioning) is cutting off and on intermittently.


Obviously the dealer service department is clueless. They have had the shop manager working on car especially when found fault codes for low voltage and power supply.


I’ve posted to this thread because it has the most discussion however I’ve searched the forums and read several threads including:


https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/r50-r53-hatch-talk-2002-2006/232200-air-bag-and-seat-belt-light.html
https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/stock-problems-issues/225532-yet-another-airbag-light.html
https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/electrical/250010-r53-srs-airbag-light-and-fault-codes.html
https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/r50-r53-hatch-talk-2002-2006/229191-main-airbag-light-only-good-seat-sensor.html


Is there anyone out there that has any experience with these electrical gremlins?

 

finally! justice

from http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs...5V205-4250.PDF

---
In 1Q2014, BMW began an internal review to determine if other models might be similarly affected. In April 2014, a warranty review indicated a potential issue with certain model year 2005 to 2008 MINI models, but the root cause was not known since the seat mat design was significantly different compared to the BMW models. Since the potentially affected vehicles were out of warranty, BMW initiated a special USA parts collection campaign in June 2014 to acquire field parts from customer-owned vehicles. In September 2014, a sufficient quantity and variety of returned parts were provided to the supplier for further analysis.

In December 2014 the supplier reviewed its findings with BMW, noting that there appeared to be multiple issues causing increased electrical resistance of the sensor mat, associated with production, installation and field exposure (wear).

In January 2015 the supplier examined its production records and quality control information to identify the production dates and lots of affected parts. In February 2015, BMW conducted reviews and analyses of vehicle production records to identify the potentially affected vehicles which were manufactured with the affected parts.

On March 31, 2015, BMW decided to expand recalls 08V-384 and 13V-564 to replace the passenger occupancy seat mat on additional affected vehicles.
---

so whoever still has the dreaded airbag light on should go get their cars fixed at MINI's expense and whoever got their car fixed already should file a claim to get reimbursed. also, you may want to get your car re-fixed with a part that isn't defective.

cheers,
marc

 

Saw this in the paper last week. This is great news! We've been driving around with our passenger airbag light on/turned off for the past 2 years. Now just curious to see how long it will take for it to be tagged to my car in MINI's system so I can get this fixed.

 

Checked on the Mini website and the VIN for my Mini lists the airbag recall now.

Just called the dealer and they do not have the part in stock and they cannot order one either, service tech does not have an ETA when the can get the sensor.

Basically told me to call back in July or August

 

My recall notice came in the mail yesterday. I'm not supposed to take any passengers until it's fixed.... but no idea when they will have parts.

 

No recall for '02 MINI? I have a 2002 Mini Cooper S with the red airbag light on.

 

Not for the specific recall discussed in this thread.

You can call the dealer and have them check your VIN for any outstanding recalls. There are different things that can trigger an airbag light. Have your car scanned for the error code to try to narrow down the problem.

 

The recall is for the 2005 and 2006 passenger seat sensor pad.


The models before 2005 do not have a passenger seat airbag sensor installed.


Per NHTSA

 

Same here, hopefully I still have the Mini by the time the dealership gets the parts in

 

The start is 1/2005+ production on,. I have a early 2005 MCC and don't have the sensor, so early 2005 will not have that passenger airbag sensor.

Hopefully the parts will start coming in soon at the dealer and people can get this fixed.

Post up when you get the fix.

 

I checked my VIN number on Safecar.gov and no recalls.
My airbag light came on from moving the passenger seat forward. I have read that the wires connecting it under the seat are really touchy and delicate and this is a common problem when moving the passenger seat forward.
Also seems like something that should be recalled, seeing as this is also a safety hazard. I have also reported a safety complaint to the NHTSA.

 

Check with a dealer. There has been a TSB (technical service bulletin) issued for the airbag cable under the seat. A TSB isn't at the level of a recall and the repair cost might not be covered for a car out of warranty.

 

I took it into the MINI dealer and they estimated the repair at >$1000...

 

Traded in my 05 R53 for an 08 R52 at the dealer a couple weeks ago. Both showed they are part of the recall. Still no parts so will be waiting for a call. The 05 has had the passenger airbag light turned off for about 2 years...about time they recalled it. The 08 seems to be working well at least for now.

 

Search around on here for some threads about the wiring. When I was researching my airbag issue I recall reading that the wire under the seat is much easier to fix than the sensor that is in the seat. It may involve you removing the seat and as simple as electrical tape or re-soldering the wires.

 

The news about the recall came out in April, with an expected fix date of May 1st... It's mid August now. It seems to me that this isn't happening. It doesn't take about half a year to manufacture and ship recall parts when it's not a new engine that is needed, just a mat that senses when someone sits on it... The thing that really makes me think that this is not going to happen is that that MINI actually gave an estimated repair date of May 1st. Barring the destruction of one of one of MINI's manufacturing plants or some other major global catastrophe that hasn't made the news, I do not see what would delay what MINI estimated in April would take less than one month to complete, to going on five months. My thought is that it might be a ten year extended warranty and MINI is stalling as long as possible as every day more and more MINI's that would otherwise be covered fall out of warranty, or MINI is passive aggressively telling us all to take a hike as they blow sunshine up our nose. Does anyone have any news since the letter they sent letting us know absolutely nothing, other than our cars are covered and we probably have realized that our passenger airbag light is constantly on.

 

It will happen eventually. There can be consequences if it doesn't.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/27/bu...ty-issues.html

 

Wow !!


I will probably be unloading the Mini next year for a VW Golf TDI. I love the Mini but the miles are piling up and I am taking longer trips that require more cargo space and more seat room. The new generation of Mini's do not appeal to me.


I have a feeling the parts to fix the airbag issue will probably arrive the day after I sell the Mini

 

ATTENTION! I did some research, here are the government agencies in charge of holding corporations responsible. I called multiple agencies (NHTSA etc.) After explaining the situation, namely that the day before the recall we could have had the defective part replaced (for a ridiculous $1000+) but the day the recall was announced all of a sudden the parts were absolutely unobtainable somehow. And the recall announcement was April 3rd, almost SIX MONTHS ago... Please call the following numbers and let's see if enough of us file a complaint maybe these two agencies will give MINI corporate a call and ask how that MAY 1ST 2015 start date for the recall is going...

Federal Trade Commission: Phone number: 1 877-382-4357

For those in CA (I imagine other States have similar organizations)
Only open 9-12 and 1-3 PST Consumer affairs. number: 1-800-952-5225

 

Still no fix for this?

 

I thought there was a recall still out for this issue? I still have to take mine in too.