NHTSA Complaint #10861529 — 2008 MINI COOPER

MY 2008 MINI COOPER WAS IN ACCIDENT IN JAN 2016. THE (PASSENGER) LIGHT CAME ON AND IT WAS IMMEDIATELY TAKE TO AUTOBODY SHOP. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WAS EVALUATED AND ADDED TO REPAIRS. THE SEAT MAP SENSOR IS THE CHIEF PROBLEM. THE CAR IS UNDRIVABLE. THE DEALERSHIP IN STERLING INDICATED THAT IT WOULD TAKE 15-30 DAY TO RECEIVED THE PART. THE PART WAS DELAYED UNTIL MARCH 24,2016. THREE DAYS PRIOR TO DELIVERY IT WAS UPDATED TO JUL 13, 2016. AT THIS POINT MY RENTAL CAR FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY RAN OUT. I CONTACTED CUSTOMER CARE BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO RECEIVE A DATE NOR ASSISTANCE ABOUT MY PART AND LOST OF VEHICLE. AFTER CONVERSATION WITH LIBERTY MUTUAL, AUTO SHOP AND DEALERSHIP, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE WITHOUT A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. NO RESOLUTION HAS BEEN MADE, MANY INDIVIDUALS ( CONSUMER, INSURANCE COMPANY AND AUTO SHOP) INVOLVED IN THE SITUATION STATED IT WAS NOT SAFE NOR COULD LOSS BE GUARANTEED. AS OF THE 4/18/2016, THE PART HAS BEEN PUT ON INDEFINITE BACK ORDER. CURRENTLY THERE IS NO KNOWN TIME FRAME RETURN OF VEHICLE. I AM WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION AND I WILL NEED TO PURCHASE ANOTHER CAR. ADDITIONALLY I HAVE HEARD FROM OTHER REPAIR FACILITIES, MINI'S PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR AFFECTS FAR MORE MODEL YEARS THAN THOSE FOR WHICH BMW HAS ALREADY ANNOUNCED RECALLS. I AM ALSO AWARE THAT MORE THAN 60 MINI OWNERS ARE WAITING ON THIS PART AS WELL.