The company received a warning earlier this year from supplier Takata, indicating improper deployment of the front passenger airbag. The problem was traced back to a timing problem with the second airbag stage, used to control inflation force based on the severity of the crash and the occupant’s body size.
“In a low speed crash (out-of-position/low risk deployment) in which the passenger-side front air bag deploys with the first stage only, inappropriate air bag restraint may be provided to the passenger, increasing the risk of injury,” the company notes in its recall filings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The problem does not appear to be related to the propellant issues that have caused other Takata airbag inflators to ignite with too much force and send shrapnel flying through the cabin.
The campaign lists the 2014-2016 two-door MINI Cooper and Cooper S, the 2015-2016 two-door John Cooper Works variant, the 2015-2016 four-door Cooper and Cooper S, and the 2014-2015 i3 hybrid.
Service technicians will install new airbag modules in the 6,073 defective vehicles.
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