Airbags MINI: problems by model and engine

Documented faults, from most to least important

Severity × frequency. Below each one, the MINI models it appears in.

- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalMINI Cooper F56Side and knee airbags may not work (2016 units) and the airbag warning light may stay on (2014)On cars assembled in 2016, the side and knee airbags may not trigger in a crash, and MINI issued a recall in January 2017. Earlier, in September 2014, another campaign replaced the airbag control unit on 16 cars whose warning light stayed on for no reason because of an internal defect.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalMINI Countryman F60The head airbag may inflate poorly because an ignition unit comes loose (2016-2017 units)On Countrymans built between 8 July 2016 and 17 October 2017, the ignition unit of the head airbag inflator can come loose and enter the passenger compartment when the airbag deploys, so the airbag inflates only partially or not at all. MINI recalled these units in May 2021.
- High severityFrequency: RareMINI Cooper F55Gas generator in the seatbelt retractor of the five-door Mini Cooper (recall of 2022)In 2022 an alert was issued that the micro gas generator in the seatbelt retractors of some five-door Mini Coopers built between January and March 2022 may not meet specification, with a risk of the belt restraining less effectively and of sparks being produced.

By MINI model

Open yours to see only the faults that affect it, by engine and by year.

Frequently asked questions

What faults with the airbags do MINI cars have?

In 3 models from MINI there are 3 documented faults with the airbags. The most important: side and knee airbags may not work (2016 units) and the airbag warning light may stay on (2014), the head airbag may inflate poorly because an ignition unit comes loose (2016-2017 units) and gas generator in the seatbelt retractor of the five-door Mini Cooper (recall of 2022). Each fault has its own page with the affected years and versions, the symptoms and the repair cost.

Which MINI models have the most problems with the airbags?

MINI Cooper F56 (1 fault), MINI Cooper F55 (1 fault) and MINI Countryman F60 (1 fault).