BMW to recall 91,800 Mini Coopers over airbag flaw

WASHINGTON (Bloomberg) -- BMW of North America will recall about 91,800 Mini Coopers in the U.S. to fix a flaw that may prevent the front passenger airbag from deploying, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recall, posted on NHTSA's website Saturday, affects about 59,270 Mini Cooper and Cooper S models manufactured from January 2005 to November 2006, and about 32,530 Mini Cooper convertibles and Cooper S convertibles produced between January 2005 and July 2008.

The issue, according to the safety recall report, involves an occupant detection mat sensor on the front passenger side of the vehicles that might not function properly.

In the event of a severe crash, the report says, the front passenger airbag may not activate even when the seat is occupied.

The automaker said it has received one report of a minor passenger injury possibly related to the defective mat.

The part is manufactured by Johnson Controls GmbH of Burscheid, Germany, a unit of Johnson Controls Inc.

The company said the mat will be replaced in the recall.