Airbag warning light appeared and overhead light signaled passenger airbag "off" even though an adult male (168 pounds) was sitting in the seat. Multiple experiences over several days. No malfunction occurred when the seat was empty, only when occupied by a bonafide adult.

- Washington, DC, USA

The airbag light that warns of the passenger airbag being turned off comes on sometimes when nobody is in the seat and sometimes when a full sized adult is in the seat. From what I have read this means the airbag sensor is defective and the airbag could either fail to work or deploy when it should not. I have learned that BMW issued recalls for many of their cars built with this particular seat sensor but have not done so with the MINIAre you aware of a recall for the MINIwe are very worried about using this car to carry a passenger but we have to do so every day. Your help will be greatly appreciated.

- Montoursville, PA, USA

The airbag light in the car shows that the airbag is off when there is someone sitting in the front passenger seat. The light comes on and then goes off, over and over again, whenever the seat is occupied. This indicates to me that the person sitting in the seat has no reliable airbag protection. This has been going on for over three years in my car. Original complaint was on 5/31/11. Still no action. Emailed MINIusa and they told me there were no recalls and offered no help. This was done about one month ago. Do we have to wait until people start dying before this safety issue is fixed by MINII am not the only MINIowner having this problem. BMW has recalled cars having this same problem. They deemed this a safety issue. Why shouldn't MINIcan you help with this problem"

- Little Rock, AR, USA

Air bag warning light came on! passenger light turns off and on with passenger in seat. Passenger warning light goes off with out passenger in seat. I looked on several internet forms and this seams to be a problem that MINIhas had for some time without a recall. The fix for most problems is an expensive 1200.0 to $1400 seat sensor. I fill that this is a serious safety concern which MINIshould address.

- Mansfield , TX, USA

My car started with a low hum and as time has gone by the sound has gotten louder and ever since the sound has been there the power steering has intermittently gone out, but now is out almost all the time. My wife drives the vehicle the most but we were planning on giving it to our 17 year old daughter for her graduation present but now that this problem is an all the time thing we will have to go purchase a different vehicle for her. It is just frustrating that after reading all the complaints and them being the same it almost seems useless to file a complaint due to MINInot wanting their vehicles to be good. Also about 3 months after purchasing the vehicle the airbag light for the passenger seat is always lit.

- Kodak, TN, USA

In an offset frontal accident, both front airbags deployed even with the front passenger seat unoccupied. Based upon information provided about this vehicle, the passenger side air bag should not have deployed. This appears to be a defect related to the operation of the air bag deployment system. The driver of this vehicle suffered a serious second degree burn approximately 2 inches in diameter to the inside of the right wrist. The long sleeve sweater driver was wearing had a large hole burned thru it in the location of the burn to the wrist. This burn was caused by the air bag hot gas discharge. Hands were between the 9 & 10 and 2 & 3 O'clock positions on the steering wheel. Driver was sitting correctly positioned relative to steering wheel and was properly wearing the seat belt.

- Simpsonville, SC, USA

Occupant seat sensor failure in passenger seat, airbag light comes on and stops airbag operation. I believe MINIBMW is liable for this safety issue and should fix it under recall. Several passengers have refused to ride in my car for fear of safety. Part is $1200 plus installation and reprogramming. This is a very common known issue. MINIBMW's negligence on this issue is astonishing.

- San Francsico, CA, USA

The passenger airbag warning light on this 2005 MINICooper stays on and won't go off. Dealer advised on 8/19/2011 that this would cost $1229.88 to replace the seat mat sensor but told owner that the airbag was working, it was just the sensor/light that didn't work. Many, many complaint about this exact issue with the 2005 MINImodels are on the internet. Dealers refuse to correct the problem. Since the light is on and the repair is expensive, passengers take a risk that the airbag won't work at all.

- Orlando, FL, USA

Air bag indicator came on, and the "passenger air bag off" indicator came on simultaneously. Called MINIcooper of pensacola, fl and they said the car was not eligible for repair. They said the bag would deploy if their was an accident at full force. I bought the car for my grand daughter and feel the air bags should be active and operable for the life of the vehicle. There are numerous complaints on the internet about this issue. I feel BMW is negligent in not recalling these vehicles and correcting a major flaw, and inherent safety issue.

- Mobile, AL, USA

The airbag light on the dash and above the windshield for the passenger seat used to go on and off without a passenger in the seat. Starting in 2011, it continues to stay on, meaning the airbag is turned off. The dealership said the airbag sensors were bad and the entire passenger seat needs to be replaced at an estimate of $1,000. The dealership could not confirm that the airbag would or would not deploy if the car faced impact and someone was in the passenger seat. This is a serious safety issue and no fault of the car owner. Please recall this problem before someone gets injured or dies.

- Aliso Viejo, CA, USA

Occupant seat sensor failure in passenger seat, airbag light comes on and stops airbag operation. I see that NHTSA has contacted BMW for this problem and for this model year; however, BMW/MINIwon't take blame for airbag failure. BMW takes irresponsible attitude that even though car has only 36,000 miles, safety is my problem, not thiers. As a side note, dealer says part is $1200 plus installation and reprogramming. BMW, the ultimate driving (and killing) machine.

- Fort Mill, SC, USA

2005 MINICooper. While driving approximately 45 mph, the front passenger air bag off indicator illuminated with an occupant positioned in the seat. In addition, the failure would occur even when an occupant was not present in the front seat. The illumination no longer continued when the engine was turned off. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who stated the passenger seat mat sensor would need to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.

- Fort Mill, SC, USA

The passenger side airbag light came on and has not gone off. This has rendered the passenger airbag inoperable. The seat was rarely used as my wife uses the car as a summer car. ## VIN failed ##

- Saratoga Springs, NY, USA

My air bag light on the passenger side is on. MINIdealer says it is a broken sensor in the seat. I checked online forums and this is a common problem lots of complaints. MINIwill not correct the problem unless I pay. It seems as if this is a safety issue and not an isolated case. I would think because of the nature of the problem there should be a recall.

- Hampton, NH, USA

The front passenger seat weight sensor for airbag activation failed. Due to this, the front passenger airbag will not deploy in an accident. The only fix is a $2000 replacement of the entire front passenger seat.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2005 MINICooper S. the contact stated while driving at various speeds, the two air bag lights illuminated stating that the air bags were off despite a passenger being in the seat. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the passenger side air bag mat sensor would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified but they offered no assistance. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileage was 74,000.

- Everett, WA, USA

Around 2 years ago, while driving with a passenger in the front passenger seat and while driving without a passenger in the front seat, the light comes on indicating that the passenger air bag is off. This is extremely concerning that the car's passenger airbag might not be working, particularly with a passenger in the front seat. This malfunction has been reported on other forums to be linked to a faulty sensor in the car seat, and a NHTSA service bulletin (id number: 10043927) has been filed. I hope that NHTSA can conduct an investigation into whether a recall should occur, given the safety concern of potentially not having a passenger airbag go off if a passenger is in the front seat and an accident occurs.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

The "passenger airbag off" alarm lights came on on both the speedometer panel and the light above the rear view mirror. While I'd had an adult passenger earlier in the day, the passenger seat was unoccupied at the time. I have been unable to turn the light off, to test the bag, or to do much of anything about it. I see by doing an internet search that this has been a recurring problem with MINICoopers for quite some time. See NHTSA bulletin numbers si M-65-02-0 and 720106. I feel this is a safety issue and should be addressed by MINICooper usa rather than paid for by the consumer.

- Aiea, HI, USA

Passenger airbag off warning light on. Dealer wants $1800 to fix defective system.

- Honolulu, HI, USA

Passenger seat occupancy sensor lights stay on at all times, whether the seat is occupied or not. Seat mat sensor defective. This is a common safety issue with this model that the manufacturer is fully aware of. Repair cost is in excess of $1,300 for a very simple part.

- Tacoma, WA, USA