"Passenger Air Bag OFF" light continues to illuminate intermittently with a full-grown adult passenger in the seat. The dealer found nothing wrong, but this problem continues, so I've submitted a complaint to the NHTSA - I ask anyone else experiencing this issue to do the same. I'm a little uncomfortable with a passenger in that seat with a non-functional airbag. I'd prefer to have the airbag activated permanently.

What's worse is things like this really **** me off when the dealer does nothing because it didn't "get a code". So, everything is fine except when the computer throws a code???!!! Idiots. Good thing there's nothing I'd rather do than drop my car off at the dealer . Greg

 

There is already a thread on this and some of us have been dealing with for some time so we feel your frustration.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=129844

I am hoping to get it BACK to the dealer soon as someone on the other thread may have found the fix through their dealer.

I wish you luck as we are all gonna need it until MINI recognizes this problem before someone is seriously injured or killed for lack of airbag deployment...

 

Thanks for the link!

 

[quote=GregO;2466224 I'm a little uncomfortable with a passenger in that seat with a non-functional airbag. [/quote]

Don't lose any sleep over the safety aspects. Actually benefiting from having an airbag in the car is longer odds than winning the lottery. If it were optional, I would gladly go without to shed cost and weight.

The dealer has to fix this issue. It's the law. Make certain that you file a formal complaint with BMW before the end of the warranty and talk to www.lemonlaw.com at no cost to explore your options if BMW drags their feet. The matter would not be covered by your state lemon law if it's more than a year old, but would be covered under federal Moss-Ferguson if still under warranty.

 

http://www.newsinferno.com/archives/3646

This should extend to certain MINIs too.

Greg

 

I submitted a complaint to the NHTSA concerning our airbag light issues. We'll see.

 

Great. I just got mine back from the shop and they couldn't duplicate it, so my plan is to videotape its next occurrence and I will probably submit a complaint to NHTSA after each occurrence.

I agree with a previous poster about the chances being small of needing it, but nonetheless I feel it should operate properly should I hit that "lottery", so...

Here's another interesting link...
http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/03/...airbag-issues/

 

I've noticed this problem in my MCCS as well, its really annoying, and really concerns me when my girlfriend or little sister are in the passenger seat w/o an airbag in the case of something going wrong :( talked to the dealer, but haven't taken it in yet, will do soon though....let us know how your complaint goes through

 

anyone know if they can set the limit for it? Mine does that too... my gf isnt heavy enough to trip whatever sensor thinks theres a child in there. Maybe she is safer with it off... i dunno. The light doesnt come on though if shes holding a case of beer...Smart MINI? j/k

I guess there just needs to be 100+ lbs to have a passenger airbag

 

My wife is around 120 lbs wet and even wiggling around in the seat hasn't helped, so...
Please continue to report any malfunctions with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at:
https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/Consumer.cfm

Greg

 

Reported again to NHTSA. Been to the dealer twice for this issue and now car will receive its third visit for this to be addressed. Driving home today with an adult > 170 pounds (properly seated and belted), "passenger airbag off" light stayed lit.

Greg

 

You might want to check out this thread. https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...g-light-6.html

I suggest you write a letter to mini usa detailing the issue, describe what's happening, be factual, when you brought it to the service department, how long it was in the shop, who was your SA, what was the result, etc. Take pictures of it when it happens. You can do this with the camera on a cell phone. Keep a record of when it occurs. Send a hardcopy to MINI usa, and cc the service manager at the dealership you take your mini in for service.

As discussed in the other thread, the dealer won't replace any parts unless the all mighty diagnostic "computer" picks up an error code.

My experience with mini customer service has been quite positive. They'll take care of you, but you need to raise this to the attention of people who can do something about it. Btw, mine was bought back by MINI of north america.

Good luck.

 

Thanks kewlby. I'll be curious to see if your new MINI air bag sensor works properly. Best I can tell mine does actually work, just not properly b/c it's a ****-poor design on the sensor matt b/c if a large person can deactivate it when seated normally, well... shame on MINI "injunears"

 

I have an 07 R52 MCc that was having the same issues, took it in for something else and told the MA about this. MA called me today and told me that the sensor pad in the passanger seat was bad. It didn't show up on the computer but some investigation on thier part turned up the problem. Have the dealer check the sensor pad in the passange seat.

 

Dealer called to say they could not duplicate it or get a fault code, so no repair made; this is the third time for this one. I could have told them they would not get a fault code. I've been thinking of videotaping when the airbag deactivates with an adult in the passenger seat, but I may have to finally break down and do so. But, if they can't find a code or duplicate it themselves, would my video count for anything???!!!
Greg

 

Four visits with no fix would qualify you for a buy back from MINI North America. Check your owner's manual. If you're in CA, you only need two visits if it's a life safety issue such as airbags.

 

Well, I've been conversing with MINIUSA and they're beginning to turn their head to look away, probably more like run away. Real PITA. Dealer can't duplicate it or attempt repairs and corporate MINI doesn't care enough to care. I still like the car, but am becoming more and more soured.
Greg

 

Our lord, sounds familiar. I started a thread a few days ago IRT my ongoing electrical issues, my thread was titled: lemon, mini not treating me right....
anyway, the first symptom was either the airbag light coming on and/or the seat belt light coming on despite the fact that there was no other passangers and my seatbelt being fastened. That progressed to a bogged down electrical system that prevented my turn signals from working, brake lights didn't work, dash lights didn't work, radio volume uncontrollable. The car has been with Mini since nov 7th with three unsuccessful deliveries between. They swapped multiple modules including the CPU and airbag control unit without success. Right now they are replacing the entire wiring harness. Fortunate for me the car gave an error code even when it was just the airbag light. Ultimately it became readily appearant there was a major problem. The service manager told me to have as many electrical systems going to try to reproduce the error. Something about overwhelming the buss. It worked in reproducing error.

May be unrelated but I thought I'd throw my 2 cents in.

 

jg,

Yeah, it sucks. I just love the "Oh, if it can't be witnessed or reproduced or throw a fault, it's fine". Right, 'cause I love visiting the service department on a regular basis due to my MINI Munchhausen syndrome...

Greg