Two problems related to air bag not deploy have been reported for the 2002 Mini Cooper. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2002 Mini Cooper based on all problems reported for the 2002 Cooper.
The vehicle was purchased used in 2011, soon there after the air bag light came on, it was taken to a local repair shop and the air bag light was reset, I was advised by the shop owner that this is a common problem in the older Mini. He also advised that it is extremely expensive, as Mini USA basically throws all new parts at it at the owners expense without really getting to the bottom of the problem. The air bag light illuminated again in July of 2015, right after I had returned from vacation, apparently the parking valet had slid the seat back and most likely stretched the air bag seat harness. This is a proven defect which Mini USA has finally addressed with a recall of 2005 to 2008 models only. It is related to a faulty seat harness that cannot detect whether a passenger is in the right seat. It is also been shown that in most cases the airbags will not deploy in an accident.
I just found this web site and after reading through the various issues other people are having with their Mini, I 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 Mini's 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.