2005 MINI Cooper Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 41about this part
- Share
- 11%of 372 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,896miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 41 complaints about the air bags of the 2005 MINI Cooper, 11% of the 372 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,896 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Occupant seat sensor failure in passenger seat, airbag light comes on and stops airbag operation. I believe Mini/bmw is liable for this safety issue and should fix it under recall. Several passengers have refused to ride in my car for fear of safety. Part is $1200 plus installation and reprogramming. This is a very common known issue. Mini/bmw's negligence on this issue is astonishing.”
NHTSA complaint #10553193, filed 2013-11, 62,000 miles“Air bag warning light came on! Passenger light turns off and on with passenger in seat. Passenger warning light goes off with out passenger in seat. I looked on several internet forms and this seams to be a problem that Mini has had for some time without a recall. The fix for most problems is an expensive 1200.0 to 1400.00 seat sensor . I fill that this is a serious safety concern which Mini should address .”
NHTSA complaint #10576424, filed 2014-04, 105,530 miles“Front driver seat occupant detection mat doesn't seem to be working correctly as it doesn't detect sometimes when there is an occupant. Second issue is the CVT transmission of this vehicle. I get a jerking motion every now and then and found a class action lawsuit linked with these transmissions. I purchased this car after this lawsuit but apparently this particular vehicle was not taken care of. My vehicle only has 70,000 miles on it and find this unacceptable.”
NHTSA complaint #10884074, filed 2016-07, 69,791 miles“My car started with a low hum and as time has gone by the sound has gotten louder and ever since the sound has been there the power steering has intermittently gone out, but now is out almost all the time. My wife drives the vehicle the most but we were planning on giving it to our 17 year old daughter for her graduation present but now that this problem is an all the time thing we will have to go purchase a different vehicle for her. …”
NHTSA complaint #10564533, filed 2014-02, 98,000 miles“I received a notice from Mini Cooper important safety recall notice by mail and called to try and schedule a replacement of the seat sensor. I was told that a diagnostic test might be charged for this and it would be $150.00 for the replacement. This is freaking ridiculous, this is the second time they try to cash out at my expense... Nhtsa recall number: opens new window takes away from VIN lookup section> 15v205 recall date: april 3, 2015 manufacturer recall number: na”
NHTSA complaint #10785438, filed 2015-10, 184,000 milesRelated recalls
- 15V205000Apr 6, 2015BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2005-2006 MINI Cooper and Cooper S vehicles manufactured January 5, 2005, to November 28…Covers: MINI Cooper 2005–2006, Cooper Convertible 2005–2008, Cooper S Convertible 2005–2008 +1 more
Related service bulletins
- 10043927Mar 1, 2012Bmw mini: airbag warning light is on: mrs fc 02, 03, 05, 06.
- 10039593May 1, 2011Bmw: the airbag warning light is on with a fault stored. The wiring under the seat may be pinched or damaged.
- 10019981Apr 1, 2006Airbag warning lamp for oc3 seat mat fault. Airbag warning lamp (awl) illuminates, together with the passenger airbag status lamp (pol). The problem may be intermittent.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 17% |
| 2021 | 1 | 14% |
| 2020 | 3 | 43% |
| 2018 | 2 | 25% |
| 2017 | 3 | 11% |
| 2016 | 2 | 7% |
| 2015 | 1 | 2% |
| 2014 | 3 | 9% |
| 2013 | 12 | 26% |
| 2012 | 12 | 18% |
| 2011 | 18 | 22% |
| 2010 | 21 | 23% |
| 2009 | 62 | 41% |
| 2008 | 41 | 35% |
| 2007 | 47 | 40% |
| 2006 | 111 | 56% |
| 2005 | 41 | 11% |
| 2003 | 10 | 3% |
| 2002 | 26 | 14% |
Other parts of the 2005 MINI Cooper
276 complaintsElectrical system
30 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
25 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaintsSeats
7 complaintsEngine
6 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 MINI Cooper
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology