Air Bag Not Deploy problems of the 2005 Mini Cooper S

In an offset frontal accident, both front airbags deployed even with the front passenger seat unoccupied. Based upon information provided about this vehicle, the passenger side air bag should not have deployed. This appears to be a defect related to the operation of the air bag deployment system. The driver of this vehicle suffered a serious second degree burn approximately 2 inches in diameter to the inside of the right wrist. The long sleeve sweater driver was wearing had a large hole burned thru it in the location of the burn to the wrist. This burn was caused by the air bag hot gas discharge. Hands were between the 9 & 10 and 2 & 3 o'clock positions on the steering wheel. Driver was sitting correctly positioned relative to steering wheel and was properly wearing the seat belt.

Both airbag warnig lights come on when someone sits in front pass seat. When the "passenger airbag status lamp" is on that means no one is in the front passenger seat. If someone is sitting in the passenger side front seat while it's on and there is an accident the airbag might not deploy b/c the car thinks someone isn't in the seat.

Passenger side "air bag" off light is on all of the time and thus, the passenger air bag will not be deployed in an collision. Have had sensor worked on, system flashed by BMW, etc to resolve issue. BMW unable to resolve without extensive cost.

The passenger airbag srs floor mat sensor is damaged and may cause the passenger airbag to not deploy in the case of an accident. The srs airbag light is illuminated.

Both my passenger airbag warning light and airbag warning lamp in the instrument panel is illuminated deactivating airbag deployment when an adult is sitting in the passenger seat and remains on when passenger seat is vacant while driving. There is also 2 technical service bulletins (TSB) I'm aware of relating to this malfunction: TSB: si m-65-02-06 airbag warning illuminated, fc55 for vehicles produced from August 31, 2005 - April 25, 2006. Nhtsa 10026024 (my vehicle was produced in August 2005 as indicated on my driver door panel). TSB: 720106 airbag warning lamp for oc3 seat mat fault, airbag warning lamp illuminates together with the passenger airbag status lamp. Nhtsa 10019981. I spoke with 2 service managers at Mini indicating faulty detection mat, parts were in stock and will not be covered under warranty for repair or replacement estimated at approximately $1000. 00. My only recourse is to repair it, feeling uncomfortable driving my vehicle or transporting passengers in the event the airbags will not deploy. In addition, BMW of north America, llc extended the warranty on passenger airbag detection mats to 10 yrs/unlimited mileage for specific BMW models ranging from my04 through my06, who owns Mini of north America. I've read several forums relating to this issue, one of which states Mini did extend the warranty on models prior to my05, but problem hasn't been resolved in model years thereafter as mentioned in my complaint and other NHTSA bulletins. I contacted Mini of north America with no positive response.

I have a 2005 Mini Cooper S and the passenger airbag light keeps coming on and after some research on forums see that there is a common problem with this. Turns out the airbag sensor in the passenger seat is a common problem and that dealerships even carry extra parts because of this. I see that something very similar just happened with other BMW's. I think this should be added to the recall list. It appears that in an accident the passenger airbag will not deploy.

The airbag light on the dash and above the windshield for the passenger seat used to go on and off without a passenger in the seat. Starting in 2011, it continues to stay on, meaning the airbag is turned off. The dealership said the airbag sensors were bad and the entire passenger seat needs to be replaced at an estimate of $1,000. The dealership could not confirm that the airbag would or would not deploy if the car faced impact and someone was in the passenger seat. This is a serious safety issue and no fault of the car owner. Please recall this problem before someone gets injured or dies.