I was driving when I smelled smoke and realized that the driver's side seat had caught fire. I stopped the car, jumped out, and saw that a hole had burned through the car seat and I could see flames. I don't understand how this has not triggered a recall as it is obviously extremely dangerous to have your car catch on fire while driving.

- Denver, CO, USA

Driver side heated seat caught on fire.

- Detroit, MI, USA

Seat heating system issue: Without any earlier warning signs the driver seat overheated very quickly (within one minute of turning on the seat heaters) to the point of burning the drivers skin. A burning smell occurred at the same time. The driver had to get up from the seat rapidly to avoid any serious burns. This made bringing the vehicle to a controlled stop very difficult. The driver was halfway up from the seat with the seatbelt holding the driver back. This could have lead easily to an accident as it is very difficult to control a vehicle in that position. Fortunately, the vehicle was still at a slow speed and operated in a residential area. However, the risk of an accident or injuries at a higher speed and/or more populated area would have been much greater. I believe this is a serious safety related defect under the United States code for motor vehicle safety (title 49, chapter 301). Internet research and multiple complains on the NHTSA website confirm that this is not an isolated incident.

- Lewis Center, OH, USA

I had a problem with the driver's side seat warmer in my 2006 BMW X3 starting on about October 21, 2013. While I was driving on a couple different occasions, I felt a "shock" in my left thigh. I didn't think anything about it until the seat warmer stopped working all together. I brought it to the dealer to fix and found that the entire heating element would have to be replaced, at a cost of over $1500. As I am looking into the problem, I found that this has happened to numerous others. I am fortunate that there was not a more serious injury, and that my seat was not damaged to the extent that others have encountered. However, this is an unacceptable problem and BMW should be taking care of it.

- Bedminster, NJ, USA

When testing the heated seats in this vehicle, after 5-10 secs, I felt a strong heat sensation on my left thigh. The there was a burn hole in the driver's seat on the left side. Switched off heat warmer right away.

- Richmond, VA, USA

I felt a burning sensation under my left leg and pulled the car over. Noticed that the seat had cracked and there was a discoloration indicating a burn. I switched off the heated seat and continued. I have felt this burning sensation a few other times and would turn down the heat or switch it off altogether. The dealer suggested a change of the seat cover which costs upwards of 1000 $S

- Sayreville, NJ, USA

Turning into a driveway with a boulder on the edge/corner. With the drivers side seat heater on, the seat burned a hole thru the leather and made me turn abruptly and bumped the boulder. Damage to the fr. Bumper, inner fender and wheel. Left side (drivers) seat bolster has a burn-through hole.

- Montgomery, IL, USA

Started the car in my driveway this morning and let the engine idle for a minute or two before driving off, I energized the drivers side heated seat to the lowest setting, after 10 sec or so I started to smell a burning odor and felt a sharp pain under my left thigh. I turned off the heated seat immediately, shut the car off, and got out off the car to see what the problem was. I noticed a small black burn mark on the seat that was very warm to the touch. I called BMW North America to file a complaint, the lady on the phone took my information and statement as to what had happened and suggested that I take the vehicle to an authorized BMW dealer for inspection. I had the vehicle inspected later this afternoon by concord BMW and was told by the service manager that since the car was out of warranty that the dealer would not cover any repair cost of the damaged seat. I asked if they would contact BMW North America on my behalf and ask them to authorize and pay for the repair due to the severity of the event, heated seats are not suppose to catch fire and myself or someone else driving the vehicle could have been burned. I was told no, that I would have to take it up with BMW North America on my own.

- Concord, CA, USA

The heated seat device in the passenger seat becomes hot enough to burn your leg, primarily on the left side. A burning sensation and intense heat is felt when the heated seat is turned on, making it impossible to use, for fear of burns or fire. Appears to be a common issue with these seat elements, and could cause serious burns or fire. Why is there not a recall on a serious bodily injury, safety and fire issue?

- Auburn, CA, USA

Front seat heaters become too hot on outside bolster ( left side on driver's seat, right side on passenger seat), burning hole in seat cover and burning person sitting in seat.

- Easthampton, MA, USA

Heating element for front driver seat shorted, causing it to burn through the leather. Fortunately, I caught it in time before fire or injury. Searching the internet reveals that this has occurred for many others as well, sometimes with more damaging results.

- Salem, OR, USA

Driver seat caught fire when seat warmer was engaged. Leather seat has visible burn mark. Fire burned driver. When seat warmer was disengaged, smoke began billowing from seat, filling the vehicle with smoke. Seat warmer was engaged upon vehicle start in owner's garage. Vehicle was moving approximately 10 mps (1-2 mins later) when fire began.

- Lakeway, TX, USA

After my 2006 BMW X3 had been running for about 10 minutes, with the heated seat on, I began to feel a burn in my bottom as well as smell smoke. I pulled over, got out, and noticed that the left cushion of my drivers seat was smoking and had melted about a quarter size hole in the leather upholstery. This is a common and know issue to BMW. However, they have not issued a recall. Very dangerous!!!

- Boise, ID, USA

The contact owns a 2006 BMW X3. The contact stated the passenger side air bag light would illuminate on a consistent basis. The vehicle was then inspected by a dealer who advised her that they would replace the seat upholstery. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.

- Austin, TX, USA

2006 BMW X3 heater on the drivers seat malfunctioned and burned a hole in the seat and my coat.

- Poughquag, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2006 BMW X3. While driving approximately 45 mph the heater on the drivers seat malfunctioned and burned a hole in the seat. As a result the driver was injured. The dealer was contacted and stated that they would not cover the repair cost because the warranty expired. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for repairs. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

- Winter Park, CO, USA

06 BMW X3 3.0 driver seat heater gets extrememy hot in one spot. Hot enough to cause a burn if not turned off quickly.

- Vacaville, CA, USA

We were driving in cold weather and activated the seat warmers on the driver and front passenger sides when we detected an odor of something burning and smoking. We stopped and got out of our SUV and discovered a burnt hole/spot on the driver's seat, lower left seat back bolster. On taking it our BMW dealer for repair, we were told that the seat warmer was defective and that is what caused the burnt hole/spot on the seat back, I.e., "failed component 3". further we were told that our SUV was two months out of warranty, and that the cost of repair would cost $2,900. We have searched the internet and discovered similar malfunctions on bmws equipped with seat warmers. Further, we had to replace the seat warmer system on the front passenger side approximately two years ago because it too became inoperative. This is a clear case for BMW to absorb the cost of repair, since this seat warmer malfunction has a history of occurrences. Thank you for your attention regarding this case.wv

- Charlottesville, VA, USA

2006 BMW X3.heated seats burned a hole on the left side of the driver seat causing burns to my left thigh.

- Forest Hills, NY, USA

2/5/10 smell of fire in my 2006, BMW, X3, noticed drivers seat had a burnt hole mark. I brought the vehicle to the BMW service department and the service department found a manufacturing fault in the seat, heater shorted out.

- Ossining, NY, USA