This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
I was driving down hwy 16 (a straight a way 2 lane hwy) towards woodland when the display showed what appeared to be the water icon and I noticed white smoke from under my hood, so I pulled over and sat there thinking maybe my car was overheating. A truck coming behind me went by honking their horn and I looked in review mirror and noticed dark smoke coming from behind my car.. I then proceed to get out of my vehicle and couldnt get the drivers door open a gentleman came up to my vehicle told me to get out but I told him the door wouldnt open, he opened the door and was saying get out and away the cars going to blow up, that was my first acknowledgment that the vehicle was on fire. The police and fire dept was notified and came out to where the vehicle was at and proceed to extinquish the vehicle. I had to get the car towed by triple a off a friends of mines tow package that she has. Im contacting the fire dept and police today on getting some paperwork related to this today so all I have to show is pics.
I own a 2009 MINIcooper and the airbag and seatbelt warning lights come on whenever I get in the car. The light came on recently when I started the car and it now occurs every time I turn the motor on. I've been online researching the problem and discovered that this may mean that the airbags will not deploy if I have an accident. This appears to be a problem facing a number of MINIcooper owners and BMW has not resolved this problem after many complaints.
At about 64500 miles the passenger seat belt and air bag lights came on intermittently and shortly thereafter they stayed on. Local mechanic determined that the passenger seat switch was probably the culprit. And located a technical service bulletin for this problem. A call to keeler motor car co. Said the bags would work as designed, but wouldn't put that in writing and furthered "clarified" her answer by adding "as far as I know". a second call from a different person said if the lights are on then the bags would probably not work. But couldn't tell me if just passenger side would or wouldn't work or all the air bags.
I recently purchased a 2009 MINICooper and the airbag and seatbelt warning lights come on whenever I get in the car. The light came on recently when I started the car and it now occurs every time I turn the motor on. I've been online researching the problem and discovered that this may mean that the airbags will not deploy if I have an accident. This appears to be a problem facing a number of MINICooper owners and BMW has not resolved this problem after many complaints.
The contact owns a 2009 MINICooper. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The South shore MINICooper was contacted and diagnosed the air bag sensor mat was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturers was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000....updated 10/23/17 updated 10/24/2017
- East Falmouth, MA, USA
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34,000 miles 2009 MINICooper. Passenger airbag light on and off intermittently. Quoted cost to repair about $800 just for the part, possibility of airbags not deploying when in an accident. Seems to be a typical MINIissue with a slew of similar issues (sometimes multiple replacements), sensor in seat cushion and entire seat would need replaced. Same problem that resulted in 2005-2008 model recalls, but not 2009" with the issue being this prevalent" very worrisome, passengers riding in car without the protection of an airbag deploying.
Air bag sensor light is on continuously, this is the same issue previous years have experienced and had recalls on and nothing has changed. This is very dangerous in the event of an accident the front passenger will have no protection.
2009 MINIcooper passenger air bag sensor light use to come on frequently while stationary and in motion, with or without passenger, and now stays on all the time. The alarm light comes on as soon as the car is started. The warning light is illuminated on the tachometer gauge and center speedometer gauge and an overhead light warned that "passenger airbag is off" the alarm takes over the display above the steering wheel and makes it so you can no longer see your speed or any other information. Started at ~ 55,000 miles on the car. My mechanic diagnosed it as passenger side airbag sensor mat problem. This is the same problem that resulted in a recall for 2005-2008 models in the NHTSA campaign number 15V205000. This is a safety hazard, as none of the airbags will deploy in case of impact. This a manufacturing defect. Multiple complaints on the same issue are available all over the internet.
At approximately 65,000, 2009 MINICooper R56 air bag sensor light would flicker on and off, but now stays on all the time. No idea if this means that air bags will fail.
Takata recall the warning indicator that my passenger air bag is off comes on frequently (with or without passenger). I am afraid to let anyone ride in my car. When I took it to the dealer they said it was an internal failure of passenger side front mat sensor, that I had not done anything to cause the problem, that there was a worldwide shortage of the part, and that it is a $1200 fix. I do not believe I should have to pay for that repair!! I wrote to BMW in July---no response. This happens every time I drive somewhere---with or without passenger. It comes on and off.....driving or stationary, all situations. The only documentation I have is copy of the dealership labor report from the diagnosis and a copy of my 7-19-2016 letter to BMW sent via email to miniusa.com. I have no way to scan those to attach.
My airbag sensor light is on continuously and my mechanic diagnosed it as passenger side airbag sensor mat problem. This is the same problem that resulted in a recall for 2005-2008 models in the NHTSA campaign number 15V205000. I've called my local BMW/MINIservice department, but they say it's not part of the recall and there's nothing they can do.
Occupancy air bag light stays on replacement 2 times now on again hit a bump it could at times go off. Replaced the water pump and oil pump not even at 60,000 miles
Passenger side airbag warning light keeps coming on whether a passenger is seated or not in front seat. It originally went on and off at sporadic times and mimi told me that I should not place anything on passengers seat like my handbag as it will assume a passenger is sitting in the seat. The later part of June 2016, it came on and stayed on continuously. Currently, have an outstanding repair order with MINIbut was told part has been on back order for well over a month. Price quoted for repair $1240. I drive the interstate on a daily basis and am concerned that the air bags will not deploy if I'm involved in an accident. The light comes on as soon as the car is started and will sometimes go off for a few minutes while driving, but will then come back on.
The contact owns a 2009 MINICooper. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator had illuminated and remained illuminated. Due to the air bag warning indicator illuminating, the air bag warning chime was activated as well. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 15V205000 (air bags) however the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.
I went out of the country for 21 day and left my MINIparked in the garage. I am the only driver of my car and take pride in appearance and maintenance. I was extremely surprised when I returned the warning lights was on. The mileage is just under 60000. The seat belt and airbag warning light on out of the blue (stays on). When I took my MINIto the auto repair shop, it was suggested to look for recalls first. Upon research found alot of complaints about the same issue but no recalls for 2009. This is very disappointing and BMW should be ashamed. I will never purchase another product from BMW and will warn others before they consider making the same mistake. I will be trading my car in for an american made vehicle.
Airbag sensor mat does not recognize whether a person is sitting on the passenger side thereby not activating the airbag; this has been happening on & off for months; passenger airbag light comes on immediately despite occupancy while parked and during driving (all conditions-highway, city street, turning. This issue started right after the warranty was over. This is a safety hazard, as none of the airbags will deploy in case of impact. I fear for my safety. This is a manufacturing defect.
The car has 55000 miles and the airbag light is on. After research the problem seems to be with the passenger occupancy sensor, also known as a passenger occupancy mat. MINIhas recalled many vehicles for this reason, however they continue to refuse the problems continues with the 2009 model. This is a safety and costly issue.
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- Clearlake, CA, USA