Recall 20V283 covers 76 2020-2021 MINI vehicles for rollover-sensor air-bag control-unit failure. Repair is free at any franchised MINI dealer.
MINI is recalling 76 2020-2021 Cooper, Cooper S Clubman, X1, X2, Cooper S, and Jcw Convertible vehicles because a rollover sensor problem inside the air bag control unit can keep head air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and other safety systems from activating in a rollover crash. That failure raises injury risk, and MINI dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The air bag control unit in affected 2020-2021 MINI vehicles is the module that watches crash sensors and decides when restraint systems need to deploy. Its rollover sensor helps the vehicle recognize a rollover crash, then signals head air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and other safety systems to activate.
The problem is an out-of-spec rollover sensor inside that control unit. During supplier production, the etching process left the sensor with an aluminum bonding pad that can separate from the layer beneath it. Once that connection weakens, the control unit loses the sensor signal it needs to detect a rollover condition.
At vehicle start, the air bag warning lamp will illuminate in the instrument panel if the sensor fault is present. Treat that light as the warning sign and have the vehicle checked by a MINI dealer.
Who's affected?
Spans 6 model lines across the 2020 and 2021 model years, all tied to the same air bag control unit.
| 2021 MINI Cooper | side curtain air bag |
|---|---|
| 2020 MINI Cooper S Clubman | side curtain air bag |
| 2020 MINI Cooper S Clubman | air bag system |
| 2020 MINI Cooper S Clubman | air bag system |
| 2020 BMW X1 | side curtain air bag |
| 2020 BMW X1 | air bag system |
| 2020 BMW X1 | air bag system |
| 2020 BMW X2 | side curtain air bag |
| 2020 BMW X2 | air bag system |
| 2020 BMW X2 | air bag system |
| 2020 MINI Cooper | side curtain air bag |
| 2020 MINI Cooper | air bag system |
| 2020 MINI Cooper | air bag system |
| 2020 MINI Cooper S | side curtain air bag |
| 2020 MINI Cooper S | air bag system |
| 2020 MINI Cooper S | air bag system |
| 2021 MINI Cooper | air bag system |
| 2021 MINI Cooper | air bag system |
| 2021 MINI Cooper S | side curtain air bag |
| 2021 MINI Cooper S | air bag system |
| 2021 MINI Cooper S | air bag system |
| 2021 MINI Jcw Convertible | side curtain air bag |
| 2021 MINI Jcw Convertible | air bag system |
| 2021 MINI Jcw Convertible | air bag system |
| Units affected | 76 |
| 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 this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
In a rollover crash, a faulty air bag control unit can keep safety systems from deploying as intended and increase injury risk. The air bag warning lamp will illuminate at startup if the sensor fault is present. If the air bag warning lamp stays on at startup, treat it as a warning sign and contact a MINI dealer. Repair is free at any franchised MINI dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020-2021 MINI Cooper, Cooper S Clubman, X1, X2, Cooper S, or Jcw Convertible is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised MINI dealer to schedule the free air bag control unit replacement that fixes the rollover sensor problem.
- Bring the recall notice if MINI mailed one. If not, reference recall number 20V283 when you call.
- Use extra caution until the repair is complete, since the head air bag, seat belt pretensioners, and other safety systems are affected in a rollover crash.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a MINI technician replaces the air bag control unit, the module that reads rollover sensor signals and helps command the head air bag, seat belt pretensioners, and related safety systems in a rollover crash. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the existing MINI New Vehicle Limited Warranty program, not through a separate reimbursement program. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| May 20, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 20, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| May 20, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 13, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| July 17, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V283?
Recall 20V283 covers 76 2020-2021 MINI vehicles with a rollover sensor problem inside the air bag control unit. In a rollover crash, the head air bag, seat belt pretensioners, and other safety systems can fail to activate. MINI dealers replace the air bag control unit for free.
What should I do if my 2020-2021 MINI Cooper, Cooper S Clubman, X1, X2, Cooper S, or Jcw Convertible is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 20V283. If it is, call a franchised MINI dealer and ask to schedule the air bag control unit replacement. Reference recall number 20V283 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. MINI dealers replace the affected air bag control unit free of charge, including parts and labor, regardless of where you bought the vehicle.
What is the safety risk in recall 20V283?
The risk is reduced crash protection in a rollover. A faulty rollover sensor inside the air bag control unit can keep the head air bag, seat belt pretensioners, and other safety systems from activating as designed, increasing the risk of injury.
When did the recall repair become available?
The recall repair became available after owner notification began on July 17, 2020. If your VIN is included and the repair is still open, a franchised MINI dealer can replace the air bag control unit free of charge.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V283000 |
|---|---|
| MINI customer service | 1-800-525-7417 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V283 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V283000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Report (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →