Four problems related to air bag not deploy have been reported for the 2008 Mini Cooper. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Passenger seat airbag occupant sensor/mat failed causing airbag light to be on and for airbags not to deploy incase of a accident . Mini did not recall this issues but put a warranty extension for 10years for this defect they are aware about. This has expired for many vehicles including mine . This is safety issue that's a potential risk of injury or death incase of a accident and the fact that Mini Cooper does not recall this matter is inhuman . Please help with this matter.
Recently purchased a used 2008 Mini Cooper. Passenger side airbag sensor warning light is on and always stays on. This is a known defect that Mini has covered under warranty/recall. I took vehicle to BMW/Mini dealer in birmingham, al and was informed that this particular recall expired in 2018, or with vehicles with more than 120,000 miles. Mine has 123,000 mi. Also called Mini customer service and received the same information. Many videos exist on internet/youtube about this particular defect and how to bypass problem by installing a part that bypasses the sensor or by using a scan tool to erase the code to remove the warning light. Neither of these solutions seem safe. I am concerned that the car's passenger airbag would fail to deploy in the event of a collision. . Read more...
Tl the contact owns a 2008 Mini Cooper. While driving, the passenger air bag warning indicator remained illuminated. The contact was concerned that the air bag might not deploy in the event of a crash. The vehicle was taken to Mini of bedford (located at 209 s river rd, bedford, nh 03110, (833) 785-4497) where it was diagnosed that the air bag sensor needed to be reprogrammed. The contact also was informed by the technician that the passenger seat would need to be replaced if they removed it to reprogram the air bag sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure and provided a case number. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000.
Takata recall?? the seat occupancy sensor malfunctions - 3 warning lights - always on. Took Mini into dealership for this problem on 9/17/15. They diagnosed: j# 1 511mzotherdiag general diagnosis vehicle needs right seat weight sensor replaced. Part needs to be ordered - $1493. 47 part cost - customer advised. Neither BMW/Mini corporate or the dealership can say when the replacement part will be available - nor can they guarantee occupant safety - airbags may not deploy there is an accident. The mileage on the Mini is 26,959. When is this vehicle to be included in the recall? and when will the parts be available to fix it?.