Table 1 shows one common seat belt related problems of the 2007 Mini Cooper S.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Seat Belt problems |
2007 Mini Cooper S, hatchback. The passenger airbag (off) light, indicating the passenger airbag is disarmed, is on at all times regardless of passenger. Additionally, the dashboard warning lights for my airbag system and seatbelt are illuminated at all times. The codes identified by the Mini dealership in honolulu indicate the passenger seat occupancy sensor has a fault. Looking under the seat, it could be a faulty wiring harness or faulty connecter as they appear vulnerable to seat movement forward or backwards. The Mini dealership also stated the obnoxiously expensive part was on national back-order.
When passengers or items were placed on the passenger seat the seatbelt and airbag warning lights would illuminate on the dash, but would go out after passenger or items were removed, and/or seatbelt was fastened. As of now both the airbag warning and seatbelt warning lights are illuminated, at all times, on the dash and will not return to normal state whether seatbelt is fastened or not. The airbag safety system is now disabled under normal driving operation due to these failures (airbag/seatbelt not ready state).
The front passenger side seat belt does not engage and lock on an intermittent basis. When the problem occurs, we are faced with the choice of sitting for 5-10-15 minutes trying repeatedly to get the seat belt to engage and lock, or taking off without buckling the front passenger until the problem clears up, or transferring the passenger to the rear seat until the problem is resolved. Ridiculous. The servicing dealer (morristown Mini) cannot replicate the issue, which is not surprising, since the problem is intermittent. They do not want to repair/replace any parts since they cannot replicate it. I called Mini at their corporate 800 number but they state they can do nothing; the have merely logged the complaint. I had purchased an extended Mini maintenance program upgrade and also a 3rd party extended warranty from the dealer that sold me the car, princeton Mini in princeton NJ. Apparently those offer no relief, either, as I called both them and Mini and was told seat belts are excluded once out of warranty. So at this time I have a rolling safety and liability hazard pertaining to a front passenger seat belt that neither the dealer nor manufacturer wish to address. Please help! thank you.
After multiple frustrating complaints and unsuccessful service attempts on 8/17/11, 9/1/11, 9/6/11, 9/21/11 and 9/28/11 for my 2007 Mini Cooper S (purchased on 8/16/11) at mayors auto mall SAAB located at 6001 northern boulevard, woodside NY 11377 and failing inspection on 9/1/12; I was fed up and brought my vehicle directly to hassel BMW Mini of freeport located at 100 cleveland avenue, freeport NY 11520 on 10/31/11. After a service bill of $3,546 (service) +$141. 21 (evaluation fee) = $3,688. 03 from BMW Mini, the problems were still not resolved. I then filed a lemon law case against mayors auto mall and won on. Despite winning the case, mayors auto mall refused to return my monies for the purchase price of vehicle. After contacting dmv with the issue and having them suspending their business license, mayors auto mall finally refunded my monies for vehicle purchase but it was excluding service bills of $3,688. 03 from BMW Mini since lemon law did not cover this amount. I am filing a complaint against BMW Mini and would like to find out possible remedies for getting a refund services paid towards a vehicle that I no longer have due to lemon law case and am out of $3,688. 03 for no reason. I understand BMW Mini is currently being sued for these same issues by many consumers. Please contact me with any possible information you may be able to provide regarding my case. I am in awe shock that I am still dealing with this and it has been 3 years already since I had to return the car to mayors auto mall. Thank you for your concern with this matter and would appreciate any information you are able to provide.