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

- Allentown, PA, USA

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.

- Macon, GA, USA

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.

- North Augusta, SC, USA

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).

- Horseheads, NY, USA

When I turned on the driver's side seat heater, the seat heater burned through and burned a hole through my clothes

- San Leandro, CA, USA

Passenger air says off when a passenger is in seat ## VIN passed ## BMW X3 2005 ##

- Marianna, PA, USA

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.

- Rogersville, MO, USA

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

- Breckenridge, CO, USA

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.

- Weston, MO, USA

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"

- Long Beach, CA, USA

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.

- Allentown, PA, USA

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.

- Hull, GA, USA

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.

- Peabody, MA, USA

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.

- Fairlawn, OH, USA

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.

- Columbus, IN, USA

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.

- Newton Falls , OH, USA

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.

- Vancouver, WA, USA

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.

- Burbank, IL, USA

Driver side heated seat heats up to the point of injury. Unusable.

- Union City, NJ, USA

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.

- Kirkland, WA, USA