2005 BMW X3 Seats Problems

RIVER'S SEAT HEATING UNIT OVERHEATS WHEN ON HIGH SETTING, TO THE POINT OF BURNING SKIN THROUGH THE SEAT AND CLOTHING. LOWER LEFT LUMBAR . PER SERVICE SHOP, THE SEAT HEATER GRID IS BROKEN, CAUSING 40 DEGREE HIGHER TEMPERATURES THAN NORMAL IN THE LEFT LEG AREA. ONGOING ISSUE, NOT A SINGLE OCCURRENCE

Mileage: 168,000

THE DRIVER SEAT HEATING ELEMENT BURNT A HOLE THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT. THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND WEARING MY SEAT BELT. I FELT THE HEAT THROUGH MY CLOTHES AND I WAS AFRAID IT WOULD CATCH MY CLOTHES ON FIRE. I PULLED OVER UNSTRAPPED MY SEAT BELT AND EXAMINED THE SEAT TO FIND THE HOLE BURNT THROUGH.

Mileage: 175,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW X3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT SEAT LUMBAR CUSHION OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TAYLOR BMW (4180 WASHINGTON RD, EVANS, GA 30809, (706) 868-6400) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

Mileage: 118,000

DAUGHTER TURNED ON VEHICLE, TURNED ON HEATED DRIVERS SEAT, AS SHE WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, BEGAN TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING, PULLED CAR OVER & GOT OUT, LEFT VEHICLE RUNNING, CONTINUED TO SMELL BURNING AND BEGAN TO SEE SMOKE. SAW THAT A BURN HOLE WAS FORMING IN THE LEFT SIDE, BOTTOM OF LEATHER SEAT. TURNED SEAT HEATER OFF AND SMELL AND SMOKE DIMINISHED. UPON INSPECTION OF HE CLOTHING IT WAS ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THE SEAT BEGAN TO BUT A HOLE IN HER OUTER JACKET. IT DID NOT BURN THROUGH HER CLOTHING AND SHE WAS NOT INJURED (THANKFULLY).

Mileage: 85,000

WHEN I TURNED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER, THE SEAT HEATER BURNED THROUGH AND BURNED A HOLE THROUGH MY CLOTHES

Mileage: 100,000

PASSENGER AIR SAYS OFF WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN SEAT ## VIN PASSED ## BMW X3 2005 ##

Mileage: 107,000

BOTH SEATS. PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE WITH 183K MILES. WAS GETTING COLD OUT, TURNED ON THE HEATED SEAT FUNCTION AND NOTICED A BURNING SMELL UPON DRIVING DOWN THE COUNTRY ROADS FROM MY HOUSE. THE SIDE OF THE DRIVERS SEAT MELTED THROUGH. COULD SEE IT GLOWING INSIDE OF THE SEAT. SOMEONE HAD DONE A SEAT REPAIR PREVIOUSLY TO COVER THIS ISSUE. APPROX. 1 YEAR LATER I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY PASSENGER HAD TURNED ON HIS HEATED SEAT. HE STARTED YELLING AND NOTICED THE SEAT HAD BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER. LUCKILY NO ACCIDENTS WERE CAUSED.

Mileage: 183

THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER HAS OVERHEATED AND BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER AND MY PANTS. THERE APPEARS TO BE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE AND A NHTSA RECALL BULLETIN NUMBER 04V575000 FOR OLDER 5 SERIES VEHICLES. I THINK THIS INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE EXPANDED SINCE SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS BEHAVIOR.......UPDATED 12/03/15*BF *TR

Mileage: 140,000

THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER HAS OVERHEATED AND BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER AND MY PANTS. THERE APPEARS TO BE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE AND A NHTSA RECALL BULLETIN NUMBER 04V575000 FOR OLDER 5 SERIES VEHICLES. I THINK THIS INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE EXPANDED SINCE SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS BEHAVIOR.......UPDATED 12/03/15*BF *TR

Mileage: 140,000

TWO MINUTES AFTER TURNING ON DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER, I BEGAN TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. LOWER LEFT LUMBAR SECTION OF THE SEAT WAS EXTREMELY HOT, FELT HOT INSTANTLY EVEN THROUGH A WINTER COAT AND SWEATSHIRT. IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE SEAT HEATER OFF. EXTREMELY CONSIDERED THE CAR WOULD CATCH FIRE. CAR HAS 102,000 MILES. NO VISIBLE WEAR OR BURN MARKS ON THIS SEAT.

Mileage: 102,000

I OWN A 2005 BMW X3, PURCHASED NEW 5-5-05. ON 12-19-11, WHILE AT THE DEALER FOR SERVICE, TECH ADVISED THAT DURING SHORT TEST, HE NOTED FAULTED PASS SEAT MAT SENSOR. DEALER REPLACED PASS SEAT MAT SENSOR AND ENABLED. AT NO TIME WERE PRIOR RECALLS ON THIS ISSUE MENTIONED NOR WAS I PROVIDED DOCUMENTATION CONCERNING ANY EXTENDED WARRANTY. ON 5-14-15 (NOTE THE DATE) THE SRS WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON AND REMAINED LIT WHILE THE PASS SEAT AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OFF. TOOK CAR TO DEALER 5-19-15. THEY CONFIRMED THE SAME SEAT MAT SENSOR THEY REPLACED ON 12-19-11 WAS AGAIN FAULTY. HOWEVER, THIS TIME THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE AS IT WAS BEYOND THE HERETOFORE "EXTENDED WARRANTY" BY 14 DAYS. TOOK VEHICLE TO LOCAL SHOP WHO REPLACED SEAT MAT SENSOR. FAULTY SEAT MAT SENSOR RETAINED FOR POSSIBLE TESTING. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE THAT BMW IS IGNORING. HOW MANY MORE COMPLAINTS NEED TO BE MADE BEFORE THIS ISSUE IS RESOLVED? DO PEOPLE NEED TO BE INJURED (OR WORSE) BEFORE BMW IS HELD ACCOUNTABLE? WITH SEAT BAG RECALLS BEING IN THE NEWS DAILY, HOW MUCH BAD PUBLICITY DOES BMW WANT BEFORE THEY ACTUALLY DO WHAT IS RIGHT?

Mileage: 137,000

THE HEATED SEAT GOT HOT ENOUGH TO BURN A HOLE IN THE SEAT. WHEN I FELT THE HOT SPOT I TURNED OFF THE HEATER , THERE WAS NO FIRE. I UNDERSTAND FROM THE INTERNET THAT THIS ISN'T THAT UNCOMMON AND I WAS HOPING THE NHTSA COULD WORK TOWARDS A RECALL SO THOSE THAT HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM COULD GET IT WARRANTED. *TR

Mileage: 147,200

I LEFT HOME AND TURNED ON THE SEAT HEATER FOR THE DRIVER SEAT. IN JUST A FEW SECONDS I FELT DISCOMFORT IN MY LEFT BUTTOCK. I REPOSITIONED THINKING SOMETHING WAS PINCHING ME AND THEN SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROADWAY AND GET OUT OF THE CAR. I SAW THE SEAT BOTTOM SCORCHING AND IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER. NO FURTHER DAMAGE WAS NOTED, BUT NOW AFRAID TO USE EITHER SEAT HEATER. *TR

Mileage: 110,340

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE HEATED SEAT FUNCTION OVERHEATED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND THE KEY BECAME DIFFICULT TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Mileage: 80,000

THE DRIVER'S SEAT (BOTTOM) CONTAINS A HEATING ELEMENT. WHEN ON, EVEN ON THE LOWEST SETTING, A HOT SPOT DEVELOPS NEAR THE LEFT REAR SIDE THAT IS SO HOT I HAVE TO SHUT OFF THE HEATER OUT OF FEAR OF A FIRE. *TR

Mileage: 95,000

THE HEATED SEAT WAS SO INTENSE IT BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT AND BURNED MY LEG. I ORIGINALLY THOUGHT THE AREA AFFECTED WAS A BURN HOLE IN THE SEAT FROM A CIGARETTE, AFTERWARDS I REALIZED THAT THE BURN HOLE HAD BEEN CREATED BY AN HEATING ELEMENT THAT WAS EXPOSED IN THAT AREA AND BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER AND THEN MY LEG. WE'VE BEEN AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES. I CONTACTED BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER AND NO ONE HAS HELPED ME TO THIS DATE. *TR

Mileage: 98,576

WAS DRIVING WITH SEAT HEATER ON. THE SEAT FELT VERY HOT ON MY LEGS AT IT SMELLED LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER. I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND EXITED THE CAR. I NOTICED A BURN MARK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT. THERE IS A MATCHING BURN MARK ON THE WOOL COAT I WAS WEARING. THE COAT IS WHAT PREVENTED ME FROM BEING INJURED. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE IF YOU NEED IT. *TR

Mileage: 183,700

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE HEATED SEAT GOT HOT ENOUGH TO BURN A HOLE IN THE SEAT. WHEN I FELT THE HOT SPOT I TURNED OFF THE HEATER AND THERE WAS NO FIRE. I UNDERSTAND FROM THE INTERNET THAT THIS ISN'T THAT UNCOMMON AND I WAS HOPING THE NHTSA COULD WORK TOWARDS A RECALL SO THOSE THAT HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM COULD GET IT WARRANTED AND BMW WOULD HAVE AN INCENTIVE TO MAKE SURE THEY IMPROVE ON THIS SYSTEM. I HAVE BEEN A VOL. FIREFIGHTER AND I KNOW FIRST HAND HOW QUICKLY ( ALMOST INSTANTLY) A VEHICLE WILL BECOME FULLY ENGULFED. THANK YOU. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

WHILE DRIVING MY BMW X3 2005, I TURNED MY SEAT WARMER ON AND IT ENDED UP BURNING A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT. MY PANTS WERE BURNED AND SO WAS I. LUCKILY I HAD TURNED THE SEAT WARMER OFF WITHOUT ANY ADDITIONAL DAMAGE OR SHOCK DURING MY DRIVE. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

THE SEAT HEATER IN MY 2005 BMW X3 CAUGHT FIRE AND MELTED A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND BURNED MY LEFT BUTT CHEEK WHILE I WAS DRIVING. MY LEFT BUTT CHEEK WAS BURNED A LITTLE BUT I WAS OTHERWISE UNINJURED. I READ ONLINE THAT A TON OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME/SIMILAR MAKE AND MODEL CAR AS ME HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER SAID IT WOULD COST ABOUT $2000 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SEAT. THERE IS CLEARLY A MAJOR FLAW IN THE SEAT HEATER AND IT COULD POSE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE SHOULD A FIRE OCCUR AND THE DRIVER IS NOT ABLE TO LEAVE THE CAR RIGHT AWAY. BMW SHOULD RECALL AND/OR PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT/REPAIR OF THE SEAT. *TR

Mileage: 152,803

DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT HEATS UP TO THE POINT OF INJURY. UNUSABLE. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON I-90 IN WASHINGTON STATE AND FELT A SUDDEN PAINFUL SHARP PIN POINT SENSATION IN MY LEFT UPPER OUTER POSTERIOR THIGH. I THOUGHT I WAS BEING STUCK BY A PIN OR SOMETHING SHARP. I PUT MY HAND DOWN TO PULL OUT THE SHARP OBJECT AND THEN FELT A SMALL SPOT IN MY SEAT THAT WAS BURNING HOT. I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR FROM THE SEVERITY OF THE PAIN IN MY FINGERS AND THIGH. I TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER AND THE HOT SPOT WENT AWAY QUICKLY. WHEN I GOT HOME I TURNED THE HEATER ON AGAIN - AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I HAD A DIME SIZED RED BURN MARK ON MY THIGH. THIS WAS ONLY A MINOR INJURY, BUT I AM LUCKY I DID NOT RECEIVE A MORE SERIOUS BURN, AND THAT A FIRE DID NOT START AND THAT I WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DEFECT. *TR

Mileage: 54,000

UPON TURNING ON MY DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT WITHIN 2 MINUTES OF DRIVING STARTED TO SMELL A BURNING AND THEN A BURN/SHOCKING SENSATION ON LEFT THIGH. ADJUSTED WHILE DRIVING THEN REALIZED MY SEAT WAS BURNING ME ON THE LEFT LEG. PULLED OVER AND GOT OUT OF CAR AND SAW MY SEAT WAS SMOLDERING (SMOKE AND BURNING). REALIZED IT MUST BE THE HEATED SEAT. TURNED OFF SEAT WARMER AND WAITED FOR 5 MINUTES AND REALIZED HAD A SMALL HOLE THROUGH MY PANTS. AFTER SEAT COOLED, DROVE HOME AND INSPECTED A BURN HOLE BETTER AT HOME AND PUT ICE ON A 1ST TO 2ND DEGREE BURN ON MY LEFT UPPER THIGH. *TR

Mileage: 107,100

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK (APPROX. 2 MILE TRIP) ON A COLD MORNING (OUTSIDE TEMP 18 DEG F) TURNED ON DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED CAR SEAT AT MAXIMUM SETTING. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, THE SEAT HEATER HAD FUNCTIONED PROPERLY ALTHOUGH LEFT SIDE OF SEAT ALWAYS SEEMED TO SOMEWHAT HOTTER THAN REST OF SEAT. WITHIN 1.5 MILE, SEAT BECAME EXTREMELY HOT ON LEFT SIDE OF SEAT BOTTOM 2/3 BACK FROM FRONT AND I BEGAN TO SMELL A STRONG BURNING PLASTIC ODOR IN THE CAR. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF SEAT HEATER. ARRIVED AT OFFICE AND UPON INSPECTION, DISCOVERED A BLACKENED BURNT SPOT ON THE SEAT LEATHER AT THE LOCATION WHERE EXTREME HEAT HAD BEEN. *TR

Mileage: 101,720

DRIVER SEAT HEAT MAT GOT TOO HOT CAUSING SMOKE, DAMAGE TO CLOTHING, AND SKIN INJURY IN LESS THAN A MINUTE AFTER TURNING THE SYSTEM ON HIGH. THE SEAT HAD BEEN FUNCTIONING NORMALLY THE DAY BEFORE. THE SEAT COVER IS VISIBLY DAMAGED AT A SINGLE POINT ABOUT THE SIZE OF A QUARTER. THE SPOT IS ON THE LEFT SEAT PAN BOLSTER 2/3'S BACK FROM THE FRONT EDGE OF THE SEAT PAN. *TR

Mileage: 131,450

DRIVER'S SEAT AT LEFT LEG BOLSTER AREA HEATS UP WHEN SEAT HEATER ELEMENT IS ACTIVATED. SHOCKING OR BURNING SENSATION IS FELT DUE TO OVERHEAT PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 92,000

I TURNED ON THE HEATED SEAT FEATURE ON MY 2005 BMW X3 AND ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER MY LEG STARTED TO GET VERY HOT. I REACHED DOWN WITH MY HAND AND IT WAS SO HOT THAT IT BURNT MY HAND. I STARTED TO SMELL SMOKE AND QUICKLY TURNED OFF MY HEATED SEAT. WHEN I GOT HOME I LOOKED ON MY DRIVER SEAT AND NOTICED A SMALL BROWN BURNT SPOT ON THE LEFT SIDE CUSHION OF MY DRIVER SIDE SEAT. THANKFULLY I NOTICED IT RIGHT AWAY, IF IT WAS ON ANY LONGER I'M NOT SURE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED! THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I COULD HAVE BEEN BADLY BURNT. *TR

Mileage: 83,000

WHEN I USE THE HEATED SEAT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, THERE IS A HOT SPOT THAT GETS SO HOT IF YOU DON'T ROLL ONTO YOUR RIGHT HIP YOU WILL GET A SERIOUS BURN. *TR

Mileage: 79,000

WHILE USING THE HEATING DEVICE FOR THE SEATS I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND FELT HEAT ON MY PANTS. I TURNED THE HEATING DEVICE OFF. THERE WAS A SMALL BURN STAIN LEFT ON THE SEAT, WHICH HAS TURNED INTO A SMALL HOLE. *TR

Mileage: 148,500

UPON DRIVING MY X3 I TURNED ON MY DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER AND WITHIN A FEW MINUTES IT STARTED GETTING SO HOT THAT IT BEGAN TO BURN THE TOP PART OF MY LEFT LEG. I HAD TO TURN IT OFF AND LIFT MY LEG OFF THE SURFACE OF THE SEAT A BIT UNTIL IT COOLED OFF. IT APPEARS THERE IS A PROBLEM ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT (BOLSTER). IT HAPPENS NOW EVERYTIME I ATTEMPT TO USE IT...I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FROM DAY ONE AND NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. I HAVE NOT SMELLED ANY BURNING ODORS YET BUT THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT. MY WIFE HAS EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING !...THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY BMW AND CORRECTED BEFORE THERE IS A FIRE OR BODILY INJURY. SO FOR SAFETY REASONS AND PREVENTING BURNS I AM UNABLE TO USE THIS FEATURE I PAID SO DEARLY FOR...I WILL BE CONTACTING THE DEALERSHIP ON MONDAY TO ADVISE THEM OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 92,245

I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND TURNED ON THE DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT. I TURNED IT ON TO THE FIRST SETTING WHICH IS THE HIGHEST. AFTER ABOUT 2 MINUTES I STARTED TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. THEN I ALSO FELT MY LEG BURNING. THE HEATED SEAT HAD HEATED UP SO MUCH THAT IT MELTED A SMALL HOLE IN THE LEATHER WHERE MY LEFT OUTSIDE THIGH WOULD TOUCH THE SEAT. I AM UNABLE TO USE THE HEATED SEAT ANYMORE BECAUSE I AM AFRAID OF GETTING BURNED WORSE. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

I HAD JUST STARTED THE CAR AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG ON/OFF LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. FROM THAT TIME ON BOTH LIGHTS ARE ON AND I'M CONCERNED THAT WE DON'T HAVE A PASSENGER AIRBAG. I'M GUESSING IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THAT SENSOR THAT TELLS IF SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. *TR

Mileage: 99,000

ON CHRISTMAS MORNING, DECEMBER 25, 2012, THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE STARTED THE CAR, ACTIVATED THE SEAT WARMER, AND WE IMMEDIATELY DETECTED A BURNING ODOR IN THE CAR. WE DROVE LESS THAN APPROX. 1/2 BLOCK AND PULLED OVER TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THE SEAT WARMER WAS SO HOT THAT IT HAD BEGUN TO BURN A HOLE IN THE BOTTOM SEAT CUSHION. THE BURN HOLE STOPPED BECAUSE WE IDENTIFIED THE DEFECT QUICKLY AND IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE WARMER. I HAVE REPORTED THE DEFECTIVE SEAT WARMER TO BMW. *TR

THE DRIVERS SEAT WARMER CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE SEAT. THE SEAT WARMER WIRES WERE EXPOSED AND BURNED THE SEAT AND THROUGH MY PANTS. *TR

Mileage: 95,680

I USED THE HEATED SEAT FUNCTION FOR THE DRIVERS SEAT IN MY 2005 BMW X3 AND IT RAPIDLY HEATED UP BECOMING UNBEARABLE TO SIT ON. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED IT OFF AND STOPPED THE CAR AND GOT OUT BECAUSE THE SEAT WAS TOO HOT TO SIT ON AND BECAUSE THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM UNDER THE SEAT. AFTER A WHILE THE SMELL DISSIPATED AND THE SEAT WAS COOL ENOUGH TO USE. I HAVE NOT USED THE HEAT FUNCTION SINCE AND AM WAITING FOR MY BMW DEALER TO CHECK IT AND GET BACK TO ME.

Mileage: 55,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WITH THE HEATED SEAT WARMER IN ACTIVATION WHEN SUDDENLY THE HEATING ELEMENT BEGAN TO PENETRATE THE CONTACT'S CLOTHING WITH AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF HEAT. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY DEACTIVATED THE HEATED SEAT WARMER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER FOR THE HEATED SEAT WARMER TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000. ..UPDATED 11/14/12 *BF

Mileage: 83,000

DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER OVERHEATED, BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT AND INTO COAT OF DRIVER, LEAVING DIME-SIZED BURN HOLE APPROXIMATELY 12 INCHES UP ON THE LEFT "WING" OF THE SEAT BACK. CAN NO LONGER USE HEATED SEAT ON DRIVER SIDE, AS THE SAME SPOT BEGINS TO SMOLDER WHEN THE SEAT HEATER IS TURNED ON, EVEN ON LOW. *KB

Mileage: 83,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT OVERHEATED. THE SEAT BECAME SEVERELY HOT AND BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER SEATS AS WELL AS BURNING A HOLE THROUGH THE CONTACT'S PANTS. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 02/22/12 *BF UPDATED 03/01/12

Mileage: 75,000

MY WIFE'S HEATED DRIVER SEAT BURNED A HOLE IN THE VINYL SEAT COVER AND THROUGH HER SWEATER. DEALER SAYS THIS IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY, BUT IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE X3. AN INTERNET SEARCH REVEALS SEVERAL COMPLAINTS. ADDITIONALLY, A RECALL WAS ANNOUNCED FOR THE BMW 5 AND 3 SERIES FOR THE SAME ISSUE. I HOPE THE NTSB CONDUCTS A QUICK RESPONSE. THANKS. *KB

Mileage: 85,000

MY WIFE'S HEATED DRIVER SEAT BURNED A HOLE IN THE VINYL SEAT COVER AND THROUGH HER SWEATER. DEALER SAYS THIS IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY, BUT IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE X3. AN INTERNET SEARCH REVEALS SEVERAL COMPLAINTS. ADDITIONALLY, A RECALL WAS ANNOUNCED FOR THE BMW 5 AND 3 SERIES FOR THE SAME ISSUE. I HOPE THE NTSB CONDUCTS A QUICK RESPONSE. THANKS. *KB

Mileage: 85,000

A DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER OVERHEATED THE SEAT AND BURNED THROUGH LEAVING A HOLE. THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND CAUSED ME TO STEP ACCELERATOR MISTAKENLY. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND BMW NEEDS TO RECALL ALL DEFECTED PARTS. *TR

Mileage: 78,000

I HAVE A 2005 X3! THIS MORNING MY DRIVER SIDE SEAT NEARLY WENT UP IN FLAMES!! SO SCARY!! LUCKY I WASN'T IN TRAFFIC OR ON THE HIGHWAY, I WAS ABLE TO JUMP OUT AND ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. IS THERE A RECALL NUMBER FOR THE HEATED SEATS YET? I HAVE SEEN ALLOT OF ISSUES WITH THE BMW 04-08 X3 HEATED SEATS. MOST PEOPLE ARE GETTING BURNT AND THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS FOR US OWNER WHILE DRIVING. SOMETHING NEED TO BE DONE, LUCKY IT WAS ME DRIVING AND NOT MY WIFE. THANK YOU *TR

Mileage: 70,500

SEAT WARMER CAUGHT ON FIRE! WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, I TURNED ON BOTH MANUFACTURER-INSTALLED FRONT SEAT WARMERS (OUTSIDE TEMP. 36 DEGREES FARENHEIT) FOR MY SON AND I. I FELT A PINCHING ON UPPER LEFT THIGH / BUTTOCK. THOUGHT IT WAS A BUG. SHIFTED IN THE SEAT, AND FELT IT AGAIN, MORE PAINFUL THIS TIME. LIFTED MYSELF FROM THE SEAT A BIT TO LOOK AT THE SEAT AND SEE WHAT WAS POKING OR PINCHING ME, SAW SMOKE COMING OUT OF A NEW HOLE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT. LOOKED THROUGH THE HOLE, AND SAW FLAMES AND SMELLED BURNING. IMMEDIATELY, TURNED OFF THE SEAT WARMER, GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, REACHED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. THE SEAT SMOLDERED FOR ANOTHER COUPLE OF MINUTES. CALLED MY SPOUSE TO CHECK IF IT WAS STILL SMOLDERING, BUT IT HAD STOPPED. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO GET IT CHECKED OUT.

Mileage: 83,869

HEATED DRIVERS SEAT BURNED THROUGH LEATHER AND SCORCHED DRIVERS PANTS. *TR

Mileage: 68,000

2005 BMX X3 SEAT WARMER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BURNT THROUGH THE SEAT AND BURNT MY LEG. THE DEALER REFUSES TO RECOGNIZE THIS IS A PRODUCT DEFECT AND WILL REPLACE THE SEAT. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

BMW DRIVER HEATED SEAT CAUSES SEVERE BURNES

Mileage: 67,000

HEATED SEAT CAUGHT FIRE, BURNING THROUGH THICK LEATHER UPHOLSTERY. 2005 BMW X3, 36,000 MILES. NOT REPAIRED, OUT OF WARRANTY, BMW ONLY WILLING TO PAY FOR HALF OF REPLACEMENT, CONSUMER COST 700 DOLLARS. *TR

Mileage: 37,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW X3. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT WAS ACTIVATED. SUDDENLY, AN UNEXPECTED EXCESSIVE HIGH VOLTAGE OF HEAT PENETRATED THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND DEACTIVATED THE HEATED SEAT SYSTEM. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A MINOR BURN TO THE LEFT LEG AND THE DRIVER SEAT COVER EXHIBITED A BURN MARK. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION. THERE WAS CONCERN OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000.

Mileage: 31,000

MY DRIVERS SEAT BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE LEATHER AND SINGED MY PANTS. ALMOST CAUGHT ON FIRE AND I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. THE CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE AND I NOW HAVE A PEA SIZED HOLE IN MY SEAT. THE HEATING ELEMENT APPARENTLY HAS SHORTED OUT INSIDE THE SEAT. I READ THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER OCCURRENCES OF THIS ON THESE VEHICLES ON SOME OF THE WEBSITES BUT THERE IS NO RECALL OUT, BUT THERE SHOULD BE. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. OCCURRED ON 12/31/2009 ON MY BMX X3 2005. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT MY COST OF $1500. *TR

Mileage: 103,204

DRIVERS SEAT WARMER BURNED THROUGH VINYL SEAT CAUSING A HOLE IN SEAT AND BURN TO DRIVER. CAR IS CURRENTLY AT DEALER BEING REPAIRED. CAR WAS AT DEALER DAY BEFORE BECAUSE OF IGNITION NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE PROBLEM. NEXT DAY INCIDENT OCCURS. *TR

Mileage: 32,000