Sensor: occupant classificationRecall 15V-739 · MINI vehicles
BMW of North America, LLC recall 15V-739 covers 38 MINI vehicles for a sensor: occupant classification problem, reported to NHTSA on November 9, 2015. The manufacturer's latest report (2017 Q1) shows 89% of affected vehicles repaired.
Source: NHTSA recall 15V739000 and manufacturer quarterly reports. Started by the manufacturer.
The problem
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 door vehicles manufactured February 25, 2014, to May 16, 2015, 2014-2015 MINI Cooper S Hardtop 2 door vehicles manufactured March 28, 2014, to May 9, 2015, 2015 MINI Cooper Hardtop 4 door vehicles manufactured October 17, 2014, to June 2, 2015, and 2015 MINI Cooper S Hardtop 4 door vehicles manufactured November 24, 2014, to June 11, 2015. During a service appointment, the affected vehicles received replacement front passenger seat cushions (which contain integral Capacitive Interior Sensing (CIS) functions). The CIS functions may have been incorrectly calibrated, and if so, would cause impaired occupant classification and thus inappropriate air bag activation/deactivation.
The risk
Inappropriate air bag activation/deactivation can increase the risk of occupant injury in the event of a vehicle crash.
The fix
MINI will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the front passenger seat cushion, free of charge. The recall began on December 28, 2015. Owners may contact MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Recall repairs are free. Confirm whether this recall is open on your vehicle by entering its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How fast cars are being fixed
89%repaired
Share of affected vehicles repaired in each quarterly report the manufacturer filed with NHTSA. 3 vehicles were listed as unreachable.
Vehicles in this recall
Built from February 25, 2014 to June 11, 2015. Not every vehicle in these model years is included; check by VIN.