2009 MINI Cooper Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 62about this part
- Share
- 41%of 151 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 62 complaints about the air bags of the 2009 MINI Cooper, 41% of the 151 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.. …”
NHTSA complaint #11073177, filed 2018-02, 110,000 miles“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/Mini service department, but they say it's not part of the recall and there's nothing they can do.”
NHTSA complaint #10914090, filed 2016-10, 71,000 miles“Passenger seat air bag alarm is on constantly. We were told by Mini dealer that the pad that controls the air bag is faulty, or cracked. They also informed us that this exact problem is under recall for models 2005 to 2008, but not our 2009. We contacted Mini USA and they said they don't control recalls.”
NHTSA complaint #10871294, filed 2016-05, 80,000 miles“While I was driving my car, the front passenger airbag got disconnected and the light came on. Now the lights indicating that the airbag is off remain on at all times. At the exact same time the light indicating that the passenger seat belt was not fasten came on as well and it remains on at all times while there is nobody on the passenger seat. The light remains on even if I fasten the seatbelt. …”
NHTSA complaint #10787342, filed 2015-10, 71,000 miles“The airbag for the passenger seat stopped working 3 years ago. I checked several times for a recall but couldn't find anything. I went to a dealership and was told that if there isn't a recall, there was nothing Mini Cooper could do about it. I took it to a mechanic and it will be over 900.00 to fix the problem. Isn't it the responsibility of the car manufacturer to fix something that just stopped working (no accidents or any reason), especially since it is such a major safety issue?”
NHTSA complaint #11362018, filed 2020-09, 86,000 milesRelated 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 2009 MINI Cooper
46 complaintsElectrical system
25 complaintsSeat belts
8 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 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