Failure of front passenger seat occupant detection mat. The same BMW seat occupancy detection mat (OC3) that was referred to in NHTSA campaign number: 08V-384 has been failing in MINIcoopers on a wide scale. This causes the airbag to be deactivated which is a safety hazard when occupants occupy the seat and are involved in a crash where the airbag's activation could play a significant role in survivability. I believe the investigation should include other BMW corporate makes and models, such as MINIwhich involve the same seat sensor.

- Honolulu, HI, USA

It appears that the passenger seat occupied sensor is not working.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

Passenger side air bag sensor is going off when either a passenger of average weight (150lbs.) is occupying seat or a small bump in road is hit. The air bag sensor for wiring and seat cushion replacement is no longer under a warranty for 2008 model, but is a known problem costing approximately $1200 to repair at the dealer. The 2002-2006 models had recall by MINIfor this. Along with the below service bulletin. Service bulletin no.: sim-65-08-03 component(s): Air bags NHTSA id number: 10043927 manufacturer: BMW of North America, llc summary: BMW MINIAirbag warning light is on: Mrs fc 02, 03, 05, 06. I would like a recall on this made for the 2008 model as this is a massive safety issue as I don't know if in an accident either driver or passenger airbag will deploy. Without a recall owners must pay $1200 for what is a known defect by MINIDoes someone have to get injuries for this to become a recall?

- Jacksonville , FL, USA

I can't tell exactly the mileage of the car by the time the alarm pop up, but it was about 64K as specified above. At that time the passenger air bag alarm comes "on" the car with a passenger seated. It all started intermittent but after a week the light remains on all the time, along with the warning "passenger air bag off". both lights (the alarm and the warning) remains on all the time. I brought the car to the service dept. And after $117 for a diagnostic, they conclude that the "sensor mat (OC3) sib 657506" (whatever that is) was broken and needs replacement. They are charging a total of $2,608 for parts and labor (including taxes). After this trouble and a stretched timing chain that was diagnose were covered the three days the car spent at the service department, I asked MINIof America to call me back, but after some E-mails back and forward, the.

- San German, PR, USA

The contact owns a 2008 MINICooper. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag deactivated warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 64,000 and the current mileage was 69,000.

- Max, NE, USA

The contact owns a 2008 MINICooper. The contact stated that the air bag warning light sporadically illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing where the technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 26,000.

- Newbury Park, CA, USA

"passenger airbag off" light will illuminate, indicating that passenger airbag is turned off, when a full sized adult is occupying the passenger seat with seat belt buckled.

- San Carlos, CA, USA

Faulty passenger seat airbag sensor when an adult passenger weighing between 130 and 140 lbs sits. The airbag system turns off and there is no way to override this automatic sensor. I have taken the car to the dealership MINIsan antonio) two times with no resolution. MINIstates there is no error from the system, so they cannot replace this sensor. I demonstrated the issue to several people at the MINIdealership but still no resolution.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

The warning light indicates that the passenger air bag has been disabled when a full sized adult is in the passenger seat.

- Portland, OR, USA

"passenger air bag off" light on intermittently. I bring to dealer for repair three times, but dealer found nothing wrong. And my problem continue.

- Walnut, CA, USA

Full-grown adult passengers (weighing in excess of 120 pounds) sitting in the passenger seat causes the passenger-side airbag light to illuminate, which states, "passenger-side airbag disabled".

- Herndon, VA, USA