Recall 15V739 affects 38 2014-2015 MINI Cooper and Cooper S vehicles for miscalibrated passenger-seat air bag sensing. Repair is free at any franchised MINI dealer.
MINI is recalling 38 2014-2015 Cooper and Cooper S Hardtop vehicles because replacement front passenger seat cushions installed during service had incorrect CIS calibration. The calibration problem can impair occupant classification and cause inappropriate air bag activation or deactivation in a crash, increasing injury risk; MINI dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The front passenger seat cushion in 2014-2015 MINI Cooper and Cooper S vehicles includes a Capacitive Interior Sensing mat. That mat helps the air bag system identify whether the front passenger seat is occupied, then sets the passenger air bag status for that seating condition.
On affected vehicles, the problem started after a replacement front passenger seat cushion was installed during a service visit. The sensing mat inside that replacement cushion had incorrect programming, which prevented correct calibration during installation. Dealer staff did not have a clear way to spot the bad calibration, and the system can classify the seat incorrectly.
The owner-visible warning sign is the "passenger airbag off" lamp. That lamp shows whether the front passenger air bag is active or off, so an incorrect lamp status is the sign to watch for.
Who's affected?
Covers Cooper and Cooper S hatchbacks across the 2014 and 2015 model years, with the seat assembly and air bag system involved.
| 2014 MINI Cooper | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| 2014 MINI Cooper S | air bag system |
| 2014 MINI Cooper S | seat assembly |
| 2015 MINI Cooper S | air bag system |
| 2015 MINI Cooper S | seat assembly |
| 2014 MINI Cooper | air bag system |
| 2015 MINI Cooper | air bag system |
| 2015 MINI Cooper | seat assembly |
| Units affected | 38 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific hatchback is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the passenger air bag is active when it should be off, or off when it should be active, occupants face higher injury risk in a crash. Check the passenger airbag off lamp before driving with a front passenger, and schedule the inspection soon if your VIN is included. Repair is free at any franchised MINI dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2014-2015 MINI Cooper or Cooper S is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised MINI dealer to schedule the free front passenger seat cushion inspection and replacement that corrects the occupant-classification calibration for air bag activation.
- Bring the recall notice if MINI sent one. If not, reference recall number 15V739 when you call.
- Ask the MINI dealer whether the front passenger seat should be used before the inspection and repair are complete.
- Call MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525 with questions about the recall or dealer scheduling.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a MINI technician inspects the front passenger seat cushion that contains the Capacitive Interior Sensing functions. If the cushion is affected, the technician replaces it so the passenger classification system works correctly with the air bag system. The recall repair is free, and parts and labor are covered. If you have already paid out of pocket for a related front passenger seat cushion or occupant classification repair, MINI's general reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Bring your repair paperwork to the service desk and ask how to submit it.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| November 5, 2015 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| November 9, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
| December 28, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
| December 28, 2015 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| December 28, 2015 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V739?
Recall 15V739 covers 38 2014-2015 MINI Cooper and Cooper S Hardtop vehicles that received replacement front passenger seat cushions during service. The seat cushion's occupant classification sensing was incorrectly calibrated, which can cause the passenger air bag to activate or deactivate at the wrong time.
What should I do if my 2014-2015 MINI Cooper or Cooper S is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 15V739. If it is, contact a franchised MINI dealer and reference recall number 15V739. The dealer will inspect the front passenger seat cushion and replace it as needed for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. MINI's recall remedy says dealers will inspect and replace the front passenger seat cushion as needed, free of charge. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to provide the recall repair at no cost at any franchised MINI dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is incorrect passenger air bag behavior in a crash. If the front passenger seat cushion sensing is calibrated wrong, the vehicle can misclassify the occupant and activate or deactivate the air bag inappropriately, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
When did MINI start this recall repair?
MINI began the recall repair on December 28, 2015. The remedy is available now, so an included vehicle can be inspected by a franchised MINI dealer. Call MINI customer service at 1-866-825-1525 or contact a MINI dealer with recall number 15V739.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V739000 |
|---|---|
| MINI customer service | 1-866-825-1525 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V739 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V739000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →