2006 MINI Cooper Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 111about this part
- Share
- 56%of 200 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 64,300miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 111 complaints about the air bags of the 2006 MINI Cooper, 56% of the 200 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,300 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 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.
“I was a passenger in a Mini Cooper 2006, my friend was hit head on by a drunk driver on a city street. My friend's Mini Cooper 2006 was totaled. The airbags did not deploy as a result of the front passenger mat sensor defect. I suffered multiple injuries to my chest, hands, arms, and neck that are very serious.”
NHTSA complaint #10970364, filed 2017-04, 57,988 miles“The airbag light is malfunctioning on my Mini Cooper s convertible. It says on the Mini Cooper compliant list there is an issue. The dealer says its a seat problem, requiring 1,800.00 for a new seat. This site shows 14 other cars with the same issue. I don't know if the airbag will truly work if I was in an accident. No recall has be issued as of 5-28-2015. Please help us get this fixed.”
NHTSA complaint #10721900, filed 2015-05, 80,000 miles“Occupancy sensor mat bad and passenger air bag disabled light on. A known issue and bmw autos and suvs have been recalled for this issue. I believe the Mini passenger seat occupancy sensor mat is the same design as the bmw 3 series and should also be recalled. From what I understand, this disables the passenger airbag putting a passenger in danger. The bmw recall campaign is no. 13v-564.”
NHTSA complaint #10609863, filed 2014-07, 65,000 miles“The airbag warning light is on and dealer has said the sensor in the passenger seat is bad and the pad and sensor must be replaced at a cost of $1400. I cannot believe that a car this popular has this kind of safety issue. I would expect Mini to at the very least to cover the cost of the pad or sensor. Unbelievable.”
NHTSA complaint #10542124, filed 2013-09, 77,000 miles“I had to go ahead and have the air bag sensors in the passenger seat replaced last week, because I will have a passenger on a trip to utah soon. When I complained to one of the service people, that the passenger seat was rarely used, he started bloviating as to how heat can break down the materials in the sensors.”
NHTSA complaint #10531526, filed 2013-07, 62,000 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.
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 2006 MINI Cooper
53 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
20 complaintsSeats
13 complaintsElectrical system
10 complaintsEngine
10 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 MINI Cooper
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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