The lighting on the handle appears unaffected.

My gut is something related to comfort access since that system isn't working and I believe it has components in the front of the handle/pull.

A rubbed wire that is pulling enough current to create notable heat would surely be pulling enough current to pop whatever fuse is/should be there. So there may well be a bad wire (though I've heard the CA board shorts out for some), but for that to produce the heat/draw I'd assume something is amiss at the fuse level as well. Will investigate. Obviously, if I find an issue there I'll have to call the previous owner or dealer into question, but unless you buy new knowing the previous owner isn't the norm.