I have a 2005 Mini S with 80k miles and my airbag light came on, the dealership is quoting me around $1,400 to fix it but I found online that Mini extended the warranty on this sensor for 10 years/150k miles yet the dealership nor Mini USA can locate this on my vin. Does anyone have any experience with this? Build date was 8-25-2005 if it matters.

 

Well at least they extended the warranty for you in the USA, I have a Canadian 05 Cooper S 02/05 build and they didn't extend us the warranty.

Anyways, bring them this service bulletin (does your seat occupancy light come on above the rear view mirror?)

Component Description:
24. AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
Bulletin Number: 720106
Bulletin Date: Apr 2006
Vehicle: 2005 MINI Cooper
Summary:
AIRBAG WARNING LAMP FOR OC3 SEAT MAT FAULT. AIRBAG WARNING LAMP (AWL) ILLUMINATES, TOGETHER WITH THE PASSENGER AIRBAG STATUS LAMP (POL). THE PROBLEM MAY BE INTERMITTENT. ( NHTSA ITEM NUMBER - 10019981 )

 

I already gave that to the dealer and I called Mini USA and they are still refusing to fix it under warranty, they said it is not listed under my vin.

 

That is unacceptable. What part of 2005 MINI Cooper S do they not understand? The bulletin is for a 2005 and you a driving a 2005. I would tell them it doesn't matter if they can find the vin or not, the car is sitting in front of them with a build sticker in the door jam that says 2005.

You would have to escalate it.

 

That is my argument but they are basically saying too bad. I guess if their little computer doesn't say to cover it under my vin they don't cover it. I was hoping someone else who had this problem could give me anything to give to the dealer, is Mini required to fix this issue because of that service bulletin or is it just an advisory?

 

Where did you find this bulletin?? I dont even see this on the MINI bulletins?

 

Often bulletins are issued within a range of VIN numbers as cars outside this VIN number range have had a factory change already to solve the problem and therefore do not fall under the range of the bulletin.

What is wrong with the car according to their diagnosis?

 

I would love to hear more about this too. I called a dealership and they told me the same.