2007 BMW X3 SAV Seats Problems

TAKATA RECALL - MY VEHICLE HAS A RECALL AND NO ONE HAS A REMEDY FOR IT. NOT THE DEALER, MANUFACTURER OR TAKATA. THE ISSUE IS THAT I NEED MY CAR AND THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I HAVE RECEIVED DOCUMENTATION FROM TAKATA AND BMW THAT THERE CURRENTLY IS NO REMEDY. MY QUESTION IS SINCE I AM STILL DRIVING MY CAR, IF I WERE IN AN ACCIDENT, IS THE LIABILITY OF MY PASSENGER MY RESPONSIBILITY? I CANNOT LET THE CAR SIT PARKED UNTIL A REMEDY IS AVAILABLE AS THIS WOULD RUIN THE CARS ENGINE. BMW AND TAKATA HAVE NO REMEDY AND HAVE GIVEN NO ETA WHEN ONE WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. BMW WILL NOT GIVE ME A LOANER UNTIL THIS REMEDY IS FIXED. SO FOR NOW I AM WITHOUT A CAR, WHICH IS UNFAIR AS I STILL HAVE TO PAY FOR INSURANCE AND REGISTRATION.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X3. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS WARMING UP, THE CONTACT STEPPED AWAY FOR A FEW MINUTES. UPON RETURNING, THE INTERIOR WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT WAS BURNING. THE CONTACT TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND WAITED FOR THE SEAT TO COOL DOWN. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRIC WIRING FOR THE SEAT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

Mileage: 58,000

2007 BMW X3 WITH JUST UNDER 80,000 MILES. THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BOTTOM BURNED THROUGH THE UPHOLSTERY AND BURNED THE THIGH OF THE DRIVER WHILE THE SEAT HEATER WAS IN USE APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES INTO THE DRIVE ON PAVED CITY STREETS. IT WAS IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF BEFORE THE UPHOLSTERY ACTUALLY CAUGHT FIRE.

Mileage: 79,113

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X3 SAV. AFTER A SEAT WARMER WAS ACTIVATED, THE HEAT GENERATED BECAME SO INTENSE THAT IT BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT, AS WELL AS THE CONTACT'S JACKET AND JEANS. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT WAS ALTERED TO THE FAILURE DUE TO A BURNING ODOR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY HEATING ELEMENT AND THE SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 111,000.

Mileage: 111,000

IN COOL CLIMATE ON NOVEMBER 1, 2016. TURN ON MY HEAT SEAT, THEN I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNED, THEN I FELT SHARP BURN ON LEFT BUTT CHEEK. THEN I KNEW SOMETHING WRONG WITH HEAT I TURNED OFF, , ON NOVEMBER 7, 2016, I TRIED AGAIN,,, BURNING SMELL IS SO BAD, THE HEAT STILL BURNED ALMOST THROUGH OUT SIDE LAYER OF SEAT

Mileage: 105,000

HEATED DRIVERS SEAT STARTED TO BURN ME LEFT SIDE OF SEAT. BURNING SMELL. I SHUT IT OFF, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE IT WOULD HAVE CONTINUED TO BURN THROUGH SEAT IF I HAD NOT. CAN FEEL THE WIRE THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT. CALLED BMW AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD "HELP" WITH THE COST OF REPAIR, BUT I HAVE TO PAY A DIAGNOSTIC FEE FIRST. WILL TAKE THIS TO ME REGULAR MECHANIC FIRST.

Mileage: 111,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BWM X3 SAV. WHILE DRIVING, THE SEAT WARMER WAS ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT FELT A STING AND SMELLED AN ABNORMAL ODOR. THE CONTACT NOTICED A HOLE IN THE SEAT. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE SEAT WARMER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000.

Mileage: 146,000

A WARNING CODE IS TRIGGERED THAT AFFECTS THE OPERATION OF THE AIRBAG. THE WARNING CODE IS PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR. THE AIRBAG LIGHT IN THE DASH FLASHES ON AND OFF RANDOMLY WHETHER THERE IS SOMEONE IN THE SEAT OR NOT. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHETHER THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT IS FASTENED OR NOT. BMW HAS A RECALL FOR EARLIER YEARS OF THIS SAME PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE, BUT NOT FOR THIS YEAR WHICH ALSO HAS QUITE A FEW OF THESE FAILURES. OBVIOUSLY THEY HAVE NOT FIXED THIS PROBLEM AND NEED TO RECALL ALL VEHICLES WITH SIMILAR OCCUPANCY SEAT SENSORS THAT AFFECT THE AIRBAG.

Mileage: 95,000

WHILE DRIVING I TURNED ON DRIVER SEAT HEATER. IT SMELLED LIKE IT WAS BURNING SO I TURNED IT OFF. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY SAID THAT SOMETIMES IT BURNS A HOLE IN THE SEAT. I TURNED MINE OFF BEFORE IT COULD DO THAT. THEY UNHOOKED IT SO THAT I CAN'T ACCIDENTALLY TURN IT ON.

Mileage: 119,000

BMW X3 HEATED SEAT BURNED HOLE THROUGH SEAT. IF HEATED SEAT IS TURNED ON, VISIBLE SPARKS OR FIRE WILL COME THROUGH HOLE. HOLE IS DIRECTLY BELOW DRIVER'S LEFT THIGH. BMW HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR OTHER MODELS, BUT NOT THE X3. THE X3 IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE SAME ISSUE.

Mileage: 110,000

MY PASSENGER SEATS SEATBELT LIGHT COMES ON AND AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THERE IS JUST A PURSE IN THE SEAT. IT BEEPS OVER AND OVER UNTIL YOU CLICK THE SEATBELT WHEN NO ONE IS IN IT. I KNOW THAT IT FEELS WEIGHT. BUT IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE AROUND 45 LBS. NOT 10LBS. I WILL KEEP A WATCH ON THIS TO SEE IF ITS HAVING AIRBAG ISSUES WITH A ADULT SITTING IN IT. JUST LIKE THE RECALL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AS WELL, ALREADY .WHAT HAPPENS IF SOMETHING HAPPENS BEFORE THE NEW PARTS ARE OUT TO FIX THIS RECALL?? LITTLE TO LATE.

Mileage: 85,000

MY DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HAS MANY TIMES STARTED OVER HEATING AND YOU CAN SMELL THE ELECTRICAL BURNING. GETS REAL HOT. I HAVE HAD TO TURN IT OFF IT GETS SO HOT AND I ALWAYS AM LOOKING FOR ELECTRICAL FIRE WHEN I SMELL IT. ITS REAL STRONG. THIS IS DANGEROUS, COULD START A FIRE WHILE MY CAR IS WARMING UP IN THE SNOWY WINTERS. WHAT IF THIS CAUGHT FIRE UNDER ME AND BURNT MY LEGS OR BODY BEFORE I COULD GET PULLED OVER. REGARDLESS ITS FAULTY AND DANGEROUS.

Mileage: 85,000

DUE TO COLD WEATHER, ENGAGED THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER. NOTICED A SHARP PAIN IN MY LEG AND THEN BEGAN TO SMELL AND SEE SMOKE. FORTUNEATLY, I WAS QUICKLY ABLE TO REALIZE THE SEAT HEATER APPEARED TO HAVE A SHORT IN IT, AND TURNED OFF BEFORE BURNING THROUGH THE LEATHER AND SETTING MY CLOTHS ON FIRE. I WILL BE CONTACTING MY LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP TO SEE WHAT, IF ANYTHING THEY ARE WILL TO DO. I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIUOSLY HURT OR KILLED. THE ENGINE WAS IDLING WHEN SEAT HEATER WAS ON. I WAS BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND DRIVING DOWN STREET WHEN I NOTICED. IF I WOULD HAVE HAD SEAT HEATER ON AND THEN STEPPED AWAY FROM VEHICLE AS IT WAS WARMIMG UP, I AM CONFIDENT THE DRIVER SEAT WOULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE OR AT LEAST SEVERLY DAMAGED IT.

Mileage: 147,000

WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 5 MINUTES WITH DRIVER SEAT HEATER ON, SMELLED ELECTRICAL SMELL, FELT PAIN IN LEG, THEN FELT SHOCK/BURN. NOT SURE WHICH. TURNED OFF SEAT HEATER. ELECTRICAL SMELL COMES AND GOES. SMALL BURN HOLE IN SEAT. NOT ABLE TO USE SEAT HEATER ANYMORE.

Mileage: 125,000

WHILE DRIVING MY X3 AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS, I ACTIVATED THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER. APPROXIMATELY TWO TO THREE MINUTES LATER, MY UPPER LEG BEGAN FEELING VERY HOT AND IT STARTED SMELLING LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING. I LOWERED THE SEAT HEATER TEMPERATURE FROM THE HOTTEST SETTING TO THE LOWEST/COOLEST SETTING, AND THE TEMPERATURE REMAINED THE SAME - WAS EXTREMELY HOT. A SHORT TIME LATER, I ALSO SAW SMOKE. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER, I SAW A HOLE ON THE SEAT WHERE THE SEAT HEATER HAD BURNED THROUGH. IT HAD ALSO BURNED THROUGH THE COAT I WAS WEARING CREATING A HOLE. CALLED THE BMW DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THEY WOULD REPAIR AND/OR REPLACE THE SEAT HEATER AND SEAT, AND THEY REFUSED SAYING THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIR SINCE THERE WAS NOT A RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT. CALLED BMW NA AND RECEIVED A SIMILAR RESPONSE.

Mileage: 85,000

THE CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH SEAT HEATERS. ONE OF THE HEATING ELEMENTS FAILED, OVERHEATED AND BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT SURFACE. IN DOING RESEARCH, THIS APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLES. BMW DID DO A RECALL ON THE X5, BUT DOES NOT SHOW A RECALL ON THE X3. ON VARIOUS SITES, THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED MANY TIMES WITH OWNERS, SOME WITH THE VEHICLE CATCHING ON FIRE. I FOUND COMPLAINTS ON THE FOLLOWING SITES; CARCOMPLAINTS.COM, BIMMERFEST.COM AND ARFC.ORG. JUST ON CARCOMPLAINTS, THIS COMPLAINT IS SHOWN 23 TIMES; MADBURY, NH, PORTLAND, OR, WESTFIELD, IN, DERWOOD, MD, TAMPA, FL, ANNAPOLIS, MD, LOUISVILLE, KY, BERGENFIELD, NJ, HOLDERNESS, NH, LIBERTY TOWNSHIP, OH, LAUREL, MD, NOVI, MI, CROMWELL, CT, PRAIRIE VILLAGE, KS, HILLSBOROUGH, NC, DALY CITY, CA, ALEXANDRIA, VA, SAGINAW, TX, BETHESDA. MD, PITTSBURG, PA, SELAH, WA. SAME ISSUE WITH EACH. BMW OF NORTH AMERICA WAS CONTACTED AND THEIR RESPONSE WAS "IT'S A PART OF WEAR AND TEAR....NO OFFER TO ASSIST" FROM BMW NA. YET, THE ISSUE HAS CONTINUED TO ARISE AND BMW NA DID REPLACE THE HEATER ELEMENT AND SEAT SURFACE IN SOME INSTANCES, MAKING THE REPLACEMENT A MATTER OF PREFERENCE OR DISCRIMINATION, OR DEALER'S OPINION OF THE CAR OWNER VERSUS CORRECTING THE MANUFACTURING/DESIGN DEFECT PROBLEM. I WOULD REQUEST THE ASSISTANCE OF NHTSA TO REVIEW THIS MATTER AND PROTECT THE PUBLIC FROM HAZARDOUS OVER-HEATING/ FIRE THREATS. I WAS FORTUNATE TO HAVE BEEN JUST GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE AND SMELL THE BURNING LEATHER AND TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATING SYSTEM BEFORE A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Mileage: 125,000

WHILE IDLING FOR LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES WITH THE SEAT HEAT TURNED ON, I SMELLED SMOKE BUT WASN'T SURE WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM AND IGNORED IT. AFTER DRIVING HOME I FOUND THAT THERE WAS A HOLE BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER DRIVER'S SEAT AND AN EXPOSED WIRE WAS SHOWING THROUGH THE HOLE. LUCKILY MY JACKET DIDN'T CATCH ON FIRE. THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS IN THE MID 20S AT THE TIME. *TR

Mileage: 44,410

WHILE DRIVING SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND ALSO REALIZED MY UPPER LEG WAS IN PAIN. TURNED OFF THE SEAT WARMER AND INVESTIGATED AFTER REACHING MY DESTINATION. THERE WAS A SCORCH MARK IN THE SEAT NEAR THE BOTTOM LEFT BOLSTER. LUCKY THIS DIDN'T CAUSE A FIRE OR BODILY INJURY. *TR

Mileage: 68,000

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HAS 2 BURN HOLES WHERE THE HEATER HAS BURNED THROUGH. OFTEN THERE HAS BEEN A BURNING SENSATION WHERE THE HOLES ARE. UNTIL IT ACTUALLY BURNED THROUGH WE JUST THOUGHT THAT IT WAS OVERLY HOT. WE HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. I AM SURPRISED THAT BMW HAS NOT RECALLED THIS ITEM ALREADY. *TR

Mileage: 108,000

DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT SWITCH WAS TURNED ON WHILE DRIVING. FEW MINUTES AFTER SWITCH TURNED-ON, BURNING SMELL WAS FELT INSIDE THE CAR. STOPPED THE CAR AND CHECKED THE ENGINE (FIRST GUESS). IT WAS NOT FROM THE ENGINE. SAT ON THE SEAT AND THEN REALIZED THE FUME WAS COMING FROM THE SEAT. THE DRIVER SEAT WAS BURNED, MY PANT BOTTOM WAS BURNED AND MY BUTT WAS ALSO BURNED (NOT SERIOUS). *TR

Mileage: 73,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH WITH THE DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT ACTIVATED, THE DRIVER SEAT CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BURN INJURY THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

Mileage: 73,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR ILLUMINATED AND DIMMED INTERMITTENTLY EVEN THOUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS UNOCCUPIED. THE AIR BAG SENSOR WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN A PASSENGER OCCUPIED THE SEAT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TEST PLAN INDICATED THAT THE SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE FROM THE LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000. UPDATED 08/19/14*LJ BMW AGREED TO PAY HALF OF THE CHARGE FOR THE REPAIRS. UPDATED 08/21/14

Mileage: 91,000

THE HEATER ELEMENT IN THE HEATED SEATS DRIVER'S SIDE BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER AND MY CLOTHES. *TR

Mileage: 96,000

WHILE RIDING IN CAR, PASSENGER (MY WIFE) TURNED ON SEAT HEAT AND IT GOT VERY HOT, BEGAN TO SMOKE AND BURNED 2 HOLES IN VINYL SEAT BACK NEAR RIGHT BOLSTER. IT BURNED A HOLE IN HER SWEATER, BUT WE REALIZED WHAT WAS HAPPENING, PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF SEAT HEAT IMMEDIATELY AVOIDING A BURN TO HER SKIN. HOPING IT WAS A FLUKE, I ATTEMPTED A VINYL UPHOLSTERY REPAIR WITH A KIT, BUT IT TOO MELTED AWAY WHEN I TESTED THE SEAT HEATER. I WILL NOT RUN THE SEAT HEATER AGAIN ON EITHER THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE UNTIL THIS CAN BE ADDRESSED BY BMWNA. THIS IS VERY CLEARLY A SERIOUS AND WELL DOCUMENTED ISSUE THAT COULD RESULT IN FIRE AND/OR INJURY. *TR

Mileage: 112,450

THE PASSENGER SEAT HEATING ELEMENT GOT SO HOT THAT IT STARTED TO SMOKE, BURNT THROUGH THE LEATHER AND BURNT MY WIFE'S COAT AND LEG. *TR

Mileage: 53,000

HEATED SEAT WAS ON "MEDIUM" SETTING, WITHIN ONE MINUTE I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL THEN FELT PAIN IN LEFT LEG. HEATED SEAT ELEMENT BURNED THROUGH SEAT MATERIAL AND BURNED PANTS! NO REAL INJURY BUT SEAT WAS HOT ENOUGH TO BURN THROUGH THE LEATHER AND MY PANTS. SEEMS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. *TR

Mileage: 111,000

MY HUSBAND AND I HAD JUST GOTTEN IN THE CAR AND TURNED ON THE SEAT HEATERS AND NOT EVEN 2 MINUTES LATER, HE STARTED SMELLING SMOKE...HE TURNED THE SEAT HEATER OFF AND WHEN WE GOT OUT OF THE CAR, THERE WAS A PEA SIZED BURN IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT. HE ALSO HAD A BURN MARK ON HIS JEANS THAT WENT THROUGH TO HIS WALLET. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS HURT, BUT WE HAD OUR 3 DOGS IN THE CAR HEADED TO THE VET AND THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED MAJOR PROBLEMS. I CERTAINLY HOPE THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT BMW WILL ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR FIXING... *TR

Mileage: 110,000

DRIVING VEHICLE NOTICED A BURNING SMELL, AT FIRST THOUGHT IT WAS COMING FROM OUTSIDE OF CAR, THEN WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND UNABLE TO PULL OVER FELT A BURNING PAIN ON THIGH. IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF SEAT WARMER AND TRIED TO PULL OVER. FOUND THAT DRIVERS SIDE SEAT WARMER HAD BURNT A HOLE THRU THE LEATHER SEAT COVER AND BURNED MY PANTS. THIS COULD HAVE VERY EASILY CAUSED A WRECK! *TR

Mileage: 78,653

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT EMITTED A STRONG BURNING ODOR. THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS ON FIRE AND HAD BURNED THROUGH HER CLOTHING, INJURING THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE BY POURING WATER ON THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

Mileage: 68,000

ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2013 MY WIFE TURNED ON THE DRIVER'S-SIDE SEAT HEATER AND APPROXIMATELY ONE MINUTE LATER SHE SMELLED SMOKE. SHE REALIZED THAT HER CLOTHES WERE ON FIRE AND STOPPED AND JUMPED OUT AND THE SEAT-HEATER HAD BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT AND WAS BURNING HER COAT. *TR

Mileage: 95,000

I HAD CAR HEATING SYSTEM ON AND FELT SOME THING VERY HOT UNDER MY THIGH. I GOT DOWN TO INSPECT AND FOUND A HOLE IN THE CAR SEAT. I PUT OFF THE HEATING SYSTEM TO REACH HOME SAFELY. I HAVE SENT PICTURES AND MY COMPLAINT TO BMW AG AND BMW USA. *TR

Mileage: 150,000

WHILE DRIVING LAST NIGHT , I STARTED TO FEEL SOMETHING HOT IN THE SEAT, AND WITHIN A FEW MOMENTS THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL. I LEANED FORWARD AND LOOKED BACK AT THE SEAT, AND IT HAD A FLAME COMING OUT OF A HOLE MELTED IN THE LEATHER. (LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT) LUCKILY, I WAS WEARING A COAT AND DRIVING IN AN AREA THAT I COULD PULL OVER QUICKLY. AFTER I HOPPED OUT & TURNED OFF THE HEATED SEATS, IT CONTINUED TO SPARK AS MY SON AND I WAITED OUTSIDE IN THE COLD FOR SOMEONE TO COME PICK US UP. COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE, BUT I'M STARTING TO HEAR THAT THIS IS NOT THAT UNCOMMON OF A AN OCCURRENCE. THANKS! *TR

Mileage: 80,000

TURNED ON HEATED SEAT ON DRIVER'S SIDE. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 2 MINUTES, FELT BURNING ON LEFT SIDE OF SEAT. TURNED OFF THE HEATED SEAT, TURNED ON THE LIGHT AND THE SEAT WAS SMOKING SUBSTANTIALLY. A SMALL HOLE WAS BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT (ABOUT THE SIZE OF A DIME) AND THROUGH MY PANTS. I HAVE A SMALL RED MARK ON THE TOP OF THE BACK OF MY LEG. THE VEHICLE SMELLS LIKE SMOKE. LUCKILY, I WAS IN THE DRIVEWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED OR AN ACCIDENT MIGHT HAVE OCCURRED. VERY CONCERNING AND WILL LIKELY BE A COSTLY REPAIR. HAVE NOTED SEVERAL OTHER SIMILAR INCIDENTS REPOTED ON-LINE. *TR

Mileage: 87,000

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK EARLY IN THE MORNING AND SINCE IT WAS A BIT CHILLY, TURNED ON THE SEAT WARMER. WITHIN SECONDS I FELT A PAINFUL BURNING IN MY LEFT REAR "CHEEK" AND SMELLED SMOKE AND SOMETHING BURNING. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE SEAT WARMER AND THE SMOKE AND SMELL CLEARED. WHEN I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO STOP AND ASSESS THE DAMAGE, THERE IS A BURNED SPOT ON MY LEATHER SEAT AND I HAVE A BURN ON MY BACKSIDE. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO MY MECHANIC AND HE STATES THAT I WAS LUCKY IT DIDN'T START A FIRE BECAUSE THE DAMAGE TO THE HEATING ELEMENT/WIRING IS SO EXTENSIVE. I WAS ADVISED NOT TO USE IT UNTIL IT COULD BE REPAIRED. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED AND I DID PURCHASE A WARRANTY WITH IT, BUT IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THIS ITEM IS COVERED. HOWEVER, BMW NEEDS TO STEP UP AND FIX THIS. I ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE PAIN AND I ACTUALLY THOUGHT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT TURNING OFF THE SEAT WARMER STOPPED ANY FURTHER DAMAGE. I'VE ALREADY NOTED 7 OTHER SEAT WARMER ISSUES FOR THE 2007 X3 MODEL, I'VE READ NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ON VARIOUS OTHER INTERNET BLOGS (WHICH WOULD DEFINITELY INCREASE THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS IF THOSE INDIVIDUALS KNEW WHERE & HOW TO FILE A COMPLAINT LIKE THIS), AND I ALSO KNOW THAT THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER BMW MODELS WITH SIMILAR ISSUES WHERE THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL (04V575000 RECALL DATE : NOV 24, 2004 ). WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? FOR SOMEONE TO GET SERIOUSLY HURT OR WORSE, DIE? THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY AN IMMEDIATE RECALL. THIS ISSUE NEARLY CAUSED A FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT!!! *TR

Mileage: 54,800

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK EARLY IN THE MORNING AND SINCE IT WAS A BIT CHILLY, TURNED ON THE SEAT WARMER. WITHIN SECONDS I FELT A PAINFUL BURNING IN MY LEFT REAR "CHEEK" AND SMELLED SMOKE AND SOMETHING BURNING. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE SEAT WARMER AND THE SMOKE AND SMELL CLEARED. WHEN I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO STOP AND ASSESS THE DAMAGE, THERE IS A BURNED SPOT ON MY LEATHER SEAT AND I HAVE A BURN ON MY BACKSIDE. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO MY MECHANIC AND HE STATES THAT I WAS LUCKY IT DIDN'T START A FIRE BECAUSE THE DAMAGE TO THE HEATING ELEMENT/WIRING IS SO EXTENSIVE. I WAS ADVISED NOT TO USE IT UNTIL IT COULD BE REPAIRED. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED AND I DID PURCHASE A WARRANTY WITH IT, BUT IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THIS ITEM IS COVERED. HOWEVER, BMW NEEDS TO STEP UP AND FIX THIS. I ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE PAIN AND I ACTUALLY THOUGHT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT TURNING OFF THE SEAT WARMER STOPPED ANY FURTHER DAMAGE. I'VE ALREADY NOTED 7 OTHER SEAT WARMER ISSUES FOR THE 2007 X3 MODEL, I'VE READ NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ON VARIOUS OTHER INTERNET BLOGS (WHICH WOULD DEFINITELY INCREASE THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS IF THOSE INDIVIDUALS KNEW WHERE & HOW TO FILE A COMPLAINT LIKE THIS), AND I ALSO KNOW THAT THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER BMW MODELS WITH SIMILAR ISSUES WHERE THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL (04V575000 RECALL DATE : NOV 24, 2004 ). WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? FOR SOMEONE TO GET SERIOUSLY HURT OR WORSE, DIE? THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY AN IMMEDIATE RECALL. THIS ISSUE NEARLY CAUSED A FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT!!! *TR

Mileage: 54,800

MY CARS IS BOUGHT IN USA FROM HTTP://WWW.SELECTAUTOIMPORTS.COM/ AND EXPORTED TO BELARUS VIA LITHUANIA (PORT OF KLAIPEDA). LET ME REPORT THE FOLLOWING CASE AND ASK YOUR ASSISTANCE. A HOLE OF ALMOST 1 CM WAS DISCOVERED AFTER THE DRIVER SEAT HEATING HAD BEEN SWITCHED ON A BMW X3 E83 2007 (A DRIVER COAT WAS ALSO DAMAGED). THE CAR IS NO LONGER COVERED BY WARRANTY. THE HOLE IS LOCATED IN THE LEFT WAIST SUPPORT CUSHION. IT CAN BE NOTICED THAT THE HEATER IS GLOWING, SPARKLING AND OVERHEATING IN THIS PARTICULAR PLACE. AS I KNOW, SUCH MANUFACTURING DEFECT IS RATHER A COMMON CASE AND IS DEALT WITH BY LOCAL BMW DEALERS INDEPENDENTLY OF WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. PLEASE HELP ME SOLVING THE ABOVE ISSUE WHICH IS MORE ANNOYING AS WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A SEVERE WINTER AND ONE DOES NOT FEEL LIKE GETTING BURNED OR SET THE CAR ON FIRE. PICTURES IS HERE HTTPS://PICASAWEB.GOOGLE.COM/101022534625221094019/X3?AUTHKEY=GV1SRGCLULLSUBJNL3PG# THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ATTENTION ON THIS MATTER PLEASE CONTACT WITH ME BY E-MAIL. *TR

Mileage: 77,500

DRIVING THROUGH RESIDENTIAL AREA I FELL A LITTLE PAIN ON MY BUTTOCKS, PULL OVER AND THERE IS A HOLE THE SIZE OF A PEA ON THE SEAT AND SIMILAR HOLE ON MY PANTS. GOT A MILD BURN TOO SINCE I AM HEAVY AND WAS SITTING HEAVILY ON THE AFFECTED BURN AREA OF THE SEAT. *TR

Mileage: 53,456

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X3. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WHEN A BURNING SMELL WAS EXHIBITED FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT. THE CONTACT'S COAT CAUGHT ON FIRE BUT THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE ELECTRIC HEATER FAILED AND THE ENTIRE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 47,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 47,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT WARMER OVERHEATED AND BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE CONTACTED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 66,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,655.

Mileage: 66,500

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER HAS MALFUNCTIONED AND HAS BURNT THE LEATHER AND CAUSED DISCOMFORT WHILE DRIVING. HEAVY BURNT SMELL IN THE CABIN RESULTED FROM USING THE SEAT HEATER. *TR

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER GOT WAY TOO HOT. NEED TO TURN OFF TO AVOID BURN OF BOTH SEAT AND DRIVER'S LEG. *TR

Mileage: 71,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 39 MPH THE BRAKES BEGAN TO INVOLUNTARILY ENGAGE. THE DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE MOMENTARILY BEFORE TURNING OFF WHEN THE BRAKES DISENGAGED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR FOR THE REMAINDER OF HIS DESTINATION WHILE DRIVING DOWN A WINDING ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. HE ALSO MENTIONED THAT A FEW MONTHS PRIOR A PASSENGER WAS BURNED WHILE SEATED IN THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT WITH THE HEATED SEAT FEATURE TURNED ON. A HOLE WAS ALSO IN THE LEATHER SEAT AND THE PASSENGERS CLOTHING WERE ALSO BURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE HAD NOT RECURRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 45,500.

Mileage: 45,500