I just found this web site and after reading through the various issues other people are having with their MINII decided I should also go ahead and share my issues as well. Back in April of 2004, I was hit on the front passenger side by a Honda Accord traveling about 50 miles an hour and my airbags failed to deploy. I never had a check engine light or an airbag light for that matter but it's a scary thought not having your airbags deploy, especially at such a high speed of impact. I used to be in love with MINIs but I have been so "soured" by them as of late with all of the issues I have been having. My automatic transmission is shot and because of that, I can't even start my car.

- Fair Lawn, NJ, USA

Air bag light came on and stayed on. I took it to the dealer, he could not fix the problem. Now I read that this is a common problem with the MINI

- Port Colborne, 00, USA

Several, the air bag warning light has illuminated more then ten different times, each time it was repaired by the dealer (westchester BMW/westchester MINIthe last fix was after the normal warranty had expired and required much fuss to get it repaired for free. The power steering pump suddenly stopped working while driving on the highway. The radiator fan was replaced two times by me (car out of warranty) even though I complained to the dealer when the car was still quite new about the frequency of the fan motor's starting and stopping which will severely shorten the life of any electric motor. The windshield stress cracked while under warranty and was repaired. The windshield wiped motor has just failed during an incredible rainstorm.

- Cortlandt Manor, NY, USA

This is a follow-on to investigation PE05053 originally opened on 09/27/2005. I too have experienced intermittent illumination of the air bag warning lamp on my my 2002 MINICooper. The incidents of intermittent airbag warning lamp illumination started on 12 Feb 06 and have continued since that time. The lamp illumination is intermittent and not steady. Since I live 220+ miles from the nearest BMW/MINIdealer I have not brought the car in for service or further investigation. No consequences other than the minor annoyance of the illuminated light on have occurred, although I am concerned that one or more airbags may not inflate in case of impact or crash.

- Las Cruces, NM, USA

Two-car crash at an intersection - airbags in 2002 MINICooper S failed to deploy. Car 1 (2002 MINICooper S) was driving West on totten pond rd. In waltham, MA at approx. 30 mph, approaching green light at intersection of totten pond rd/winter St and wyman St. Car 2 (2001 Chevy van) was traveling in opposite direction on same road (mph unknown - approximated at 25 mph) and attempted to make a left hand turn onto wyman St. In front of car 1, striking car 1 in the front driver's side quarter panel and causing damage to entire driver's side of car1 (front and rear quarter panels, driver's door and tires). I was the occupant of car 1 and because I was not wearing a set belt, I was thrown into the driver's side door and window, shattering the window completely with my head and was then thrown into the passenger seat after impact. None of the six airbags in the 2002 MINICooper S deployed. At a minimum, from the angle of the accident, the driver's side seat airbag and driver's side curtain airbag should have deployed from the impact. I was transported to the hospital by ambulance and sustained minor head injuries (minor concussion), minor cuts to my hands and bruising to my left leg. The 2002 MINICooper S was undriveable and was towed from the scene of the crash. Insurance company claim has been filed with my insurance company (Liberty mutual) and the driver of car 2's insurance company (amica mutual) will be notified. A police report is on file with the waltham police dept. In waltham, MA. It is unknown what will be done to correct the failure, until the insurance claim is processed.

- South Boston, MA, USA

Airbag light remains lit. While still under warranty, I had the dealer (flow MINIwinston-salem, nc) "reset" it on at least two separate occasions. Service employee told me the lit light would not affect airbag deployment/safety. Within days (miles) of "resetting" it, the light comes back on and will not go off without taking it to the dealer.

- Durham, NC, USA

2002 MINICooper S has had a second airbag system failure. When electronics associated with the airbag system detect a failure, the airbag system is disabled until taken to the dealer to have fixed. Looking under the seats to see what the issue could be, discovered the "fix" performed by the dealer to fix the problem the first time the problem occurred. The intial fix was to compress the plug together with "wireties" - not to replace the plugs with a better design. Both the workmanship of the repair of the airbag system and the system itself are faulty.

- Hudson, OH, USA

The air bag system warning light has been on 8 times in 3 years of ownership. (the incident date I report below is simply the most recent occurence) each time requires a trip to the dealer to reset the system. When the warning light is on the vehicle's airbag system is de-ctivated, and therefore the system reset is an urgent safety issue. Over the course of 3 years, the dealer has replaced numerous sensors, wiring harness pieces, and several of the airbag units (esp. The seat airbags). This is reported to be one of the most common MINICooper failures and has plagued these cars for all model years in production. This is an urgent safety defect and it is important that the nhsta take action! (sorry I don't know my VIN by memory and can't access my registration at the moment...if you really need this, simply email me and I'll gladly provide).

- Groton, MA, USA

Air bag failure light. 2nd time in 2 years. Wiring harness connector separated when the driver side seat moves all the way backward. Dealer installed longer harness.

- Toledo, OH, USA

Air bag indicator light comes on because ofexcess wear on the wiring under the drivers seat. Repair has been made three times. A simple solution needs to be developed. Auto is 2002 MINICooper mfd in June of 2002.

- Hyattsville, MD, USA

My 2002 MINIcopper has had the air bag light come on on several occasions now. Repaired with new wiring harness in 11/03; now in 1/04 bag light has come on again. Dealer via phone cannot tell me if the bags work properly until diagnosed. I have checked web forums for this vehicle and this seems to be a widespread problem. I would think NHTSA or someone should look into this to determine if there should be a recall.

- Chapin, SC, USA

The air bag light illuminated on the dash board, the dealer was unable to rectify the problem.

- Winchester, VA, USA