Heated Seat fire! has Anyone Else had this problem?

[bmwtoronto]

Living in Canada,where the temperatures hover around -10C in the dead of winter, the heated seats are almost a necessity. I use my heated seat all the time along with heated steering wheel which is probably the best feature since keyless entry was added to cars. one day I’m driving with my heated seat on then suddenly i feel like I’ve been stung by a bee. I look down and the heated seat is emitting tiny flames and burning hole through the leather and suit pants. Luckily I had a water bottle in the car so I managed to put out the flames before the small flames spread. I contacted BMW because I would assume this issue would constitute a heated seat recall, but apparently not. I was quoted $2,000 by the dealer to replace the driver comfort seat. I managed to find a small leather upholstery store that replaced the heated seat mechanism and the damaged leather for only $300. I also had the leather cleaned and refinished, so my nappa leather is like new. has anyone else had a their seat go up in flames?

[Patrick-Irish]

I wouldn't say mine went up in flames but it does have a hole burnt through the leather on the drivers seat. Like you I took mine to the dealer and while they were very happy to quote me for repairs they didn't want to know about covering any of the cost.

This is a very common issue by the way.

[ardidi]

It is a common issue. Mine had burnt a hole through the leather when I bought the car used, and I noticed it would get very hot a couple days after I took the car. I complained to the used car dealer and got the driver's seat bottom replaced through a contact of the used car dealer at a BMW dealership. I was told to go to said dealer to find said person and they would take care of it. A couple hours later, I got a new seat bottom that works perfectly fine, with no questions asked or anything. They somehow fudged the paperwork so that it was covered under warranty, yet my car was not a CPO and was out of the standard BMW new-car warranty. I'm just happy I didn't have to pay anything.

[sebesta1990]

No fire yet but my leg got VERY hot. Driving and all of a sudden burning pain!

[mike300]

Any dealer should replace this regardless of warranty status...they know it a lawsuit waiting to happen