Seat Heaters burning holes in seats

gnormanjr · #1 01-15-2006, 12:48 PM

The driver side seat heater in my '02 3.0 shorted out and burned 5 holes in the seat (while I was driving,ouch). It did it once before while under warranty and the dealer replaced the entire (same) seat. My position with the dealer is that the seat is defective and they should replace it. The dealer wants to charge me for a new one. Has anyone else had problems with the heated seats?

lionkang · #2 01-15-2006, 01:47 PM

lol

PeteG · #3 01-15-2006, 02:01 PM

Funny, just the other day someone I met was telling me their brother bought a CPO'd 4.4i, not sure of the year. Said the driver's side seat heater overheated and burned a hole in the seat! Forunately it happened right at the dealership and the dealer took responsibility and paid (probably BMWNA paid) for a new seat. I'm not sure if this is a known problem. I'm not sure if this is of any help, but I wish you luck. I would think/hope BMW would own up to something as unsafe as that.

fangbosun · #4 01-15-2006, 04:56 PM

Surely there is a fuse that covers the seat heater as it sounds very dangerous! How old is the 2nd seat?

Mindfull · #5 01-15-2006, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fangbosun

Surely there is a fuse that covers the seat heater as it sounds very dangerous! How old is the 2nd seat?

That could be a problem for not just the X5's seat, but yours as well!! LOL
It sounds like they should be owning up to more than just another seat replacement, but also troubleshooting why the in-line fuse isn't working as well. It would be in your interest & theirs to make sure it's functional (perhaps an oversized or missing fuse) since the fuse replacement would likely be much cheaper, at least in terms of parts!

Good luck & please keep us posted on the dealership's response. If others have had this problem, it'd be good to know the outcome...
Mindfull

Paulpt · #6 01-15-2006, 05:27 PM

I believe last year there was a similar problem with 7 series (at least here in the US). I wish I had more info but you can do some research about it.

Wagner · #7 01-15-2006, 05:38 PM

Had a similar problem in my E46 M3. It was common to see heater "burn" lines in the seats. I don't think BMW has perfected the headed seats just yet.

jwalsh22 · #8 01-15-2006, 11:19 PM

If you've already had your seat replaced, there is a new warranty on the seat. When they replace something such as a seat, a new warranty covering only the seat comes into effect and lasts usually two years. So, it should be under that extra warranty which BMW has to warrant the quality of their repairs.

ChristopherM3 · #9 01-16-2006, 01:21 AM

ChestNUTS roasting on an open fire................

vinuneuro · #10 01-16-2006, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwalsh22

If you've already had your seat replaced, there is a new warranty on the seat. When they replace something such as a seat, a new warranty covering only the seat comes into effect and lasts usually two years. So, it should be under that extra warranty which BMW has to warrant the quality of their repairs.

He's right. You should check with the parts department what the duration of the warranty is. It sounds like you have another problem though.