Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
SEATS
02/01/2013519701
 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. *tr
02/01/201351970
 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.
01/28/201365200
 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.
10/24/2011850001
 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? *tr
10/24/201185000
 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?
02/01/2012550001
 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. *tr
02/01/201255000
 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
01/11/201165000
 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.
01/13/201233000
 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!!!
01/15/201152000
 2006 bmw x3 heater on the drivers seat malfunctioned and burned a hole in the seat and my coat.
01/05/201060000
 Tl- the contact owns a 2006 bmw x3. while driving approximately 45 mph the heater of the drivers seat malfunctioned and burned a hole in the seat. as a result the driver suffered burns. the driver was not taken to the hospital. the dealer was contacted and stated they would not cover repairs because the warranty was expired. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for repairs. the approximate failure mileage was 60,000. ds
12/30/201048130
 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.
01/05/201060000
 Tl- the contact owns a 2006 bmw x3. while driving approximately 45 mph the heater of the drivers seat malfunctioned and burned a hole in the seat. as a result the driver suffered burns. the driver was not taken to the hospital. the dealer was contacted and stated they would not cover repairs because the warranty was expired. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for repairs. the approximate failure mileage was 60,000. ds
12/30/201048130
 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.
11/03/201046110
 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
11/02/201055000
 2006 bmw x3 .heated seats burned a hole on the left side of the driver seat causing burns to my left tigh.
02/05/201040395
 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.