Ok so my brother purchased a 4.4 X5 for his wife, and shes been very happy having with the car up untill now. Winter is coming, so she dicided to use her heated seats option, and after about 2 times using it, she noticed burn marks on the seat. She is certain they came from the seats being heated.

here is a picture. this is only of one side of the seat, other side has same thing.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v169/325is_MadBimmer/ddbf7630.jpg





we recently also bought a extended warrenty for the X5 through our local BMW dealership. My brother went there and showed them what happened and they said that they cant do anything about it because thats not covered through the warrenty. And it would be $1300 to fix.

so now we are pretty ticked because this isnt our fault, and we want to do something about it.

Should i contact BMW NA about this? Because i think it should be some kind of a recall, or they should deffinatelly fix the problem because its not our fault.

what should i do?

take it in to get fixed... and downsize your pictures next time.

take it in to get fixed... and downsize your pictures next time.


sorry,

but don't you think that is something that they should fix for free? Or at least fix if for free because of the warranty?

take it in to get fixed... and downsize your pictures next time.


maybe you didnt notice the writing under the picture?

Definitely go back to the dealer because that is a flaw in the vehicle especially if it is brand new. BMW has had some issues with their heated seats, I remember the E46 3 Series had some of the same problems with the Nappa leather seats. If the dealer refuses to fix it, contact a couple other dealers and see if they give you the same answer. After that I would go to BMWNA but they will most likely tell you that the dealers are "independants" as far as BMW cares. What this means is that if the dealer doesn't see it fit to fix it, and it isn't printed in the Warranty...it isn't required.

Also, it would take a couple thousand complaints on the issue in vehicles before BMW would even phathom a recall.

I hate to say it, but BMWNA won't do jack to fix this problem. :(

the car is not brand new, its a 2001

Since it is almost 5 years old a "free" repair is probably going to be difficult.

I’m with BMW of North America, LLC. I’m sorry to read about the problem your brother is having with his heated seats. We are here to work with him and his BMW Center, and we'd like the opportunity to review this problem. If he would like our assistance, please have him phone us at (800) 831-1117 and mention Reference # 200435700369 so that we can help him more efficiently.

Definitely contact BMW NA. A friend of mine had the exact same problem with his brand new 545i. With less than 3000 miles on his car, the heater eliment burned a hole right through the leather all the way through his coat. Fortunately he had the resources and simply flew down to SC to speak with BMW NA in person. Still awaiting the outcome.

I know with even my own seats (2001 330i), they get extremely hot, and I have yet to notice a difference in heat output between the low, medium, and high settings. They all feel the same to me. HOT!

I think BMW NA should consider a recall on their heated seats, as it's an issue I'm noticed pop up again and again.

Good Luck,
Wosby