has any 1 hit a pot and the air bags deploying?

 

I don't think the airbag sensors/triggers are going to be "fooled" by hitting a pothole, no matter how bad it is.

 

yea well for some reason it happend

 

Well, looking around on Google, it appears that it happens occasionally. Interestingly, the first half-dozen relevant hits were stories about BMW airbags deploying after hitting potholes, even though I didn't put "BMW" or "MINI" in my Google search.

Insurance will cover the repair costs, but unfortunately, it's going to be treated like any other single-vehicle "at fault" accident and may cause your premiums to go up.

 

One of our PhillyMINI members has had this happen twice. It seems that braking right before hitting an infamous Philly pothole caused them to go off.

 

I don't think so...
I would be towing the car to the nearest BMW/MINI dealer and demanding warranty work. Airbag should not deploy if you hit a pothole.

 

but my warrenty is up what should i do? lawsuit agenst the cxty?

 

Since the sensors are activated by inertia, I would think it would have to be one hell of a good solid set of lock-em-up brakes followed by the immediate impact of a bone jarring pot hole... almost simulating an impact with another vehicle.

If an impact sensor was overly sensitive (the sensors are tiny and reside inside computer chips), I would think it's possible a bag could misfire... I worked on semiconductor processing equipment that manufactured these chips for Analog Devices in Cambridge, MA... they made the "airbag chips" for the big three automakers when I was last in their fab in '03. I'm sure they still do and I'm sure they have the occassional defective chip.....

On the other hand, I was driving an '02 Jeep Wrangler Sport (presumably with airbags) that did not deploy when I broadsided an old lady who turned left into my green light lane as I was doing 45 mph... no deployment. Maybe I should have whacked her at 60???

 

I've seen this a few times. On more BMW's than MINI's but it does happen. The reason is 2 of the sensors have to see the impact so if you hit something hard enough and or in the right place 2 sensors can pick it up and they think you've been in an accident so they blow the bags. They are working like they are suppose to, you just had an impact with a pothole not a car. I wouldn't really say it is a problem with the car being too sensetive. Just some bad luck on your part.

 

AH! this JUST happened to me - I was on my way to visit my mom for mother's day, hit a pot hole on a highway doing around 50 coming to a redlight -- All of the passenger side airbags deployed!

Currently my dad (a BIG car guy) has called Mini & they are sending a "technician" to inspect the car. I have already called my insurance company, they will cover the repairs, minus my deductible (which I can submit to the NJ DOT for reimburstment).

So far, it is seeming like it going to be "my bad luck." I don't know about any other damage, it hasn't been up on a lift yet..but the price for the air bag repair is estimated at 2700 - If BMW doesn't cover it, I'll have to suck up any increase in insurance... and hope NJ DOT covers my deductible..

Is this a common problem? I have only had my Mini for 3 months -- I can't imagine what would have happened if the driver side airbags went off! I had a hard enough time getting the car to the side of the road as it was!

Michelle F

 

Another "bump" in the road deployment here. Passenger side curtain and seat. I was entering route 78 west from 31 north in Clinton, NJ. There was road work going on so I slowed to 40-45 and was expecting some rough parts but nothing like this. Toward the end of the ramp there was a 6-8 foot area that dropped off then inclined where it looked like they ran out of asphalt. (Didn't go back to measure, but it was probably a 3-4 inch drop). By the way, no rough road or bump signs. Just a couple of Road Work ahead. Will be getting the estimate in a couple of days.