The passenger occupancy seat sensor is defective (as reported by many other owners of this vehicle model). The sensor is very costly to replace in terms of parts ($1,500) and labor ($1,500) and MINI does not sell the sensor separately as it is embedded in the seat foam. The defective sensor does not recognize a passenger sitting in the passenger seat and deactivates the passenger airbag which is an essential, lifesaving device fitted to a small vehicle. When involved in a major vehicle collision, without a working airbag, the risk of fatality drastically increases. The sensor is also responsible for NOT deploying the airbag if a passenger under 100lbs is sitting in the seat ie. a child. Again, this is a massive safety concern especially due to other owners resorting to a cheap aftermarket bypass module which will always deploy the airbag. This solution could seriously injure or cause fatalities for passengers under 100lbs. Other MINI models with the same electronic occupancy sensor problems have had recalls issued by the NHTSA and has not issued recalls for vehicles with the same issue consistently. It is the NHTSA's responsibility to hold the manufacturer accountable for ALL vehicle models with similar defects impacting the safe and consistent operation of life preservation devices such as airbags especially when repair costs for these defective devices are cost prohibitive for vehicle owners to replace.

- Austin, TX, USA

Have a assenger restraing malfunction, also high pressure fuel pump fault. Was driving out of the driveway.

- North Bergen, NJ, USA

Was parked and went to start it and no warning chimes seat belt seat radio air bags

- Soledad, CA, USA

Passenger side airbag remains off due to a failure of the passenger seat occupancy detection system.

- North Palm Beach, FL, USA

Faulty seat belt light/ airbag on.

- Fremont, CA, USA

Passenger side airbag light on. Has been on for months

- Lake Worth, FL, USA

My airbag light/seat sensor warning light came on both center console and driver's console for no apparent reason. Both lights stay illuminated. Proper operation of seat sensor in passenger seat mat which activates passenger side airbag is now in question.

- Fort Myers, FL, USA

My car is 2009 MINIBought new. Air bag sensor in passenger seat went out @ 70,000 mi. Passenger air bag wont work. Dealer in birmingham, al. Gave a quote for $1300 for a passenger seat. This is a safety issue, MINImust step up to the plate for recalls like Chevy, Ford, Honda, Nissan for recalls. I wont give you sharks $1300 for a new seat. My wife dies, my attorney's will be in touch. Give me a recall I can live with.

- Talladega, AL, USA