BMW of North America and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have just issued a recall for an estimated 91,800 Mini Cooper hatchback and convertible vehicles, because of airbag failures.
According to the press release (below), the front passenger seat has an occupant detector built-in the mat, but the mechanism has failed to detect a passenger in the seat, which leads to not deploying airbags during a crash.
The specific Mini Cooper models that have been affected by the recall are the:
2005 – 2006 Mini Cooper and Cooper S hardtops (or manufactured between January 5, 2005 – November 28, 2006.
2005 – 2008 Mini Cooper Convertible and Cooper S Convertible (or manufactured between January 5, 2005 – July 31, 2008).
Mini dealers will be replacing the front passenger seat occupant detection mat to fix the issue. These recalls are set to start on May 1, 2015.
RECALL Subject : Front Passenger Seat Occupant Detection Mat
Report Receipt Date: APR 06, 2015
NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V205000
Component(s): AIR BAGS
Potential Number of Units Affected: 91,800
Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
SUMMARY:
BMW 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, 2006, and 2005-2008 MINI Cooper Convertible and Cooper S Convertible vehicles manufactured January 5, 2005, to July 31, 2008. Due to manufacturing, installation, and exposure issues, the front passenger seat occupant detection mat may not function properly and, as a result, the front passenger air bag may not deploy in a crash.
CONSEQUENCE:
An improperly functioning mat may cause the passenger frontal air bag to be inactive when the seat is occupied, and in the event of a crash, the air bag will not deploy, increasing the passenger’s risk of injury.
REMEDY:
MINI will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat occupant detection mat, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 1, 2015. Owners may contact MINI customer service at .
NOTES:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at (TTY ), or go to www.safercar.gov
