The airbag warning light came on. The sensor under the passenger seat was broken. This is a very well known problem with MINIs beginning with the 2002 model, but especially with the 2006. BMW which owns MINIhad the same problem with the same year car and issued a recall, but MINInever did. The dealer wants $1500 to fix the problem, but others with the same car have had the part break as many as three times. The sensor is to detect that there is a passenger and the weight of the passenger so that the force of the airbag can be regulated if a child or child car seat is in the passenger seat. It is unscionable that MINIwould jeopardize safety after they have known of this problem for years. Customer relations at MINIusa was unwilling to resolve this issue.

- Hudson, FL, USA

In addition to my previous post, more information on this situation, this note sent to miniusa.com, my 2006 MINICooper has the airbag light illuminated above the rear view mirror and is generating an error 71, passenger occupancy sensor fault. It is my understanding this is due to a faulty sensor mat under the seat. From my research I see that this has been covered under an extended warranty for the OC3 seat mat sensor which is used in BMW as well as MINImodels. I am requesting that this sensor be replaced in my MINICooper as I fear the passenger airbag will not deploy in an accident due to the documented faulty sensor. The recall is stated at www.bmwusa.com/standard/content/contactus/voluntaryrecall.aspx,

- Munster, IN, USA

Purchased car used. When passenger sits in front seat, airbag light intermittently goes on and off and then stays on. Have searched online and the passenger seat sensor is likely broken and is a $1500 fix at the dealer. This is a safety issue and should be covered by manufacturer.

- Alpharetta, GA, USA

Per my research, this a recurring problem with the 2006 MINIcoopers. Numerous bulletin boards have the same questions for a safety concern if the airbag will deploy for the passenger seat. Took car to dealer for diagnostics and they gave us a repair price of $1200 to replace the lower seat for the occupancy pad is defective which causes the light to come on for the passenger bag and also the main light in the dash. Not sure if BMW cares about safety of the people who have purchased their vehicles but it is a bit callous on their part for not doing a recall on the 2006 MINIcooper seat sensor. I have seen a regular BMW vehicle that has a similar problem have a recall for a bad seat sensor. I am concerned for any person who rides in the passenger seat if an accident were to happen that the airbag will not deploy causing great bodily harm.

- Oregon City, OR, USA

My 2006 MINICooper had a air bag light just turn on about a week ago for no reason for what I can tell. I called my MINIdealer and they told me it was probably a worn out passenger seat sensor. They said it would cost about $900-1000 to replace the seat and the sensor. Our MINIonly has a little over 50K miles and 50% of those miles there wasn't anyone ever sitting in the passenger seat to ware it out. I have seen on several other forums that this problem has been corrected by BMW but not by MINII believe this issue should be a recall on all MINIs as I have seen that hundreds of other people have the same issue.

- Salt Lake City Utah, UT, USA

The passenger seat occupancy sensor is weak and prone to failure. MINIdoes not cover replacement and charges $1200-$2000 to replace the part leading many owners, including myself to drive the car in an unsafe condition (low speed or non deploying airbags).

- Kent, WA, USA

Passenger seat occupancy sensor is defective. The passenger seat air bag light illuminates after engine start along with the red air bag failure warning light. Doesn't matter if seat occupied or not. This is a safety hazard due to disabling air bag. MINIdealers deny this is a manufacturing defect or design problem yet there are over 40 complaints on this forum. Repair costs are substantial to replace bottom seat cushion. A modification kit or retrofit to replace defective seat mat is needed.

- Felton, DE, USA

The right front occupant sensor for air bag appears to be defective. It had to be replaced. We have heard of several MINICooper's that have defective seat sensors. When this sensor fails, the air bags may not deploy as designed. This is a safety system failure. Cost to replace this sensor was over $1,400.

- N Wilkesboro, NC, USA

Unfastened seat belt warning light stays on and airbag off indicator stays lit at all times, with or without a passenger riding in the seat no matter the weight of the passenger. Unfastened seat belt warning bell/ding does not chime.

- Commerce, MI, USA

Airbag passenger mat seat sensor. This has been a ongoing problem from the 2003 to present. Seat sensor turns airbag light on and can disable air bag on passenger side and according to MINIdealership, not on factory recall but they say get hundreds a year and charge to replace sensor at $1000. Safety issue! someone really needs to have them fix a known issue at all dealerships and put peoples lives in danger.

- Anderson, IN, USA

The car is a 2006 MINICooper S coupe. The car has less than 57,000 miles. The airbag sensor light remains on even with a passenger in the seat which shows the airbag is not employed. The dealer cost to repair was $900 as quoted on 1/3/11. The airbag light goes on and off randomly. It is not clear that the airbag would function in the event of an accident.

- Helena, AL, USA

The contact owns a 2006 MINICooper S. the contact stated that the passenger side seat would not lock into the upright position. The dealer has not inspected the vehicle. The current mileage is 8,600 and failure mileage was 7,000.

- Mesa, AZ, USA