Passenger side seat airbag sensor (recall 15V-205, OC3 seat occupancy mat) in my 2006 MINICooper S convertible has failed. The passenger side airbag light on dash and overhead stay lit at all times. Recall issued by MINIin 2015 covering exact problem described for same make and model for years 2005 - 2008. Dealer ship and MINIusa both say the VIN number for my 2006 S convertible is not included with this recall. How can this be, the exact problem for the exact vehicles identified for this recall. MINIstates that this vehicle is the correct type, model and year but not part of the recall because it probably didn't have the same part that has been identified as failing installed. I was told there is nothing they will do for me and what I've been told is that the cost for the fix will be at least $1,200 out of pocket. This cost is ridiculous and should be included under the standing recall from the manufacturer. The fact that this is a manufacturing defect is obvious and is a serious safety issue!

- Honolulu, HI, USA

I put the heated seat on while driving, and the driver's seat caught fire. This with less then 50,000 miles and a cost of almost $1000. I had to pull into a gas station and put out the smoking seat with water. I've complained to MINIcooper usa, with no results.

- Cave Creek, AZ, USA

While driving with the driver seat heater on a burning smell and smoke began to fill the car. Additionally, began feeling extreme heat on my back. Immediately pulled over and found a small fire on the seat back which I had to pat out. No injury was sustained. The seat heater had been in operation roughly 5 minutes. This is a significant safety concern as the seat heater switches are in a location where they are easily turned on by accident. Had I not been able to pull off the road immediately the damages could have been significantly worse and injury would have occurred.

- Yorktown, VA, USA

Passenger side airbag sensor is faulty, causing the airbag to not deploy in the event of a crash, even though there is a passenger in the car. This is a huge safety concern, and MINIneeds to do a recall. There are thousands out there with the same problem.

- San Diego , CA, USA

The passenger seat air bag sensor is defective, does not register that anybody is sitting in the seat and airbag system does not "arm". airbag disabled lights stay illuminated. I'm concerned that air bags will not deploy properly in the event of an accident. Needs to be fixed.

- Middleburg, FL, USA

In 2010 my car's passenger air bag system warning came on and I took to the dealer to have repaired under warranty. The dealer replaced the seat because the seat mat occupancy detector had failed. In 2013, the lights came on again. I took back to the dealer and asked them to fix at no charge, as to have the same system fail twice on a car with less than 50,000 miles on it signaled a defective design. MINIrefused to repair at no cost and instead provided me with a $1,700 estimate to replace the seat and system. I have filed a formal complaint with MINIusa and am awaiting a response. This is a safety issue as the passenger airbag is effectively permanently off. I have read on this website and elsewhere that many owners are experiencing similar issues with this car.

- New Orleans, LA, USA