NHTSA Complaint #10787342 — 2009 MINI COOPER

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. I WENT TO MINI DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT I HAD TO PAY $140 IF I WANTED THEM TO INSPECT MY CAR, I DECIDED TO TAKE MY CAR TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSTEAD WHO TOLD ME AFTER INSPECTION ($95 FOR THE INSPECTION) THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE SENSORS IN THE SEAT AND THAT THE ENTIRE SEAT HAD TO BE REPLACED ($1100 TO REPLACE IT). THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE SINCE THE AIRBAG WILL NOT OPERATE IN CASE OF ACCIDENT. I KNOW SEVERAL MINI OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME INCIDENT BUT MINI DEALERS REFUSE TO ASSUME THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF.