33 of the
182 complaints about the 2004 BMW X3 are about the
seats — 18% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
76,823 miles.
AIRBAG LAMP REMIANS ON DUE TO FAILED PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTION MAT. HONOLULU BMW DEALER CLAIMS RECALL 08V384000 WAS PERFORMED JULY 18, 2008- WHICH IS THE EXACT SAME DATE LISTED IN THE RECALL AS BMW'S REPORT DATE TO NHTSA. THE RECALL CAMPAIGN AND PROCEDURE DID NOT GET PUBLISHED OR BEGIN FOR NEARLY A YEAR LATER. THE RECALL CAMPAIGN ASKS THAT A SMALL STICKER BE AFFIXED ADJACENT TO THE VIN TAG- THERE IS NO STICKER, NOR IS THERE EVIDENCE OF A STICKER EVER HAVING BEEN THERE ( I KNOW WHAT IT SHOULD LOOK LIKE). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAINTED.
NHTSA complaint #11534460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,000 milesCollege Park, MD1 injured
SEATS
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WARMER BURNED SKIN AND SCORCHED LEATHER SEAT COVER WHEN TURNED ON.
NHTSA complaint #11153549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5 milesRoanoke, VA
SEATS
SEAT HEATER ON DRIVERS SIDE IS BURNING THROUGH. IF LEFT ON IT WOULD BURN THROUGH CLOTHES AND BURN SKIN.
NHTSA complaint #11064382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 116,491 milesWest Linn, OR
SEATS
DRIVER'S SEAT HEATING UNIT OVERHEATS WHEN ON HIGH SETTING, TO THE POINT OF BURNING SKIN THROUGH THE SEAT AND CLOTHING. LOWER LEFT LUMBAR AND SEAT BOTTOM APPEAR TO BE IMPACTED. 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.
NHTSA complaint #11061525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5 milesClarksburg, MD
SEATS
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT AND BURNED THE JACKET WHEN THE SEAT HEATER WAS TURNED ON WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED IN THIS CAR. FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY, AND THE DEALERSHIP (SILVER SPRING BMW OF MD) REPLACED THE SEAT UNDER WARRANTY. IN THIS CASE GOT LUCKY IT DID NOT CATCH FIRE OR CAUSE ANY INJURY TO US. THIS SITUATION EASILY COULD HAVE ENDED UP IN A CAR FIRE. I WAS STUNNED TO HEAR HOW LITHELY BMW NA APPROACH TOWARDS MY CONCERN WHEN I CALLED TO LODGE A COMPLAINT. AT HIGHWAY SPEED THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL SITUATION DUE TO DISTRACTION THIS BURN CREATED WORST CAR ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10937989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 109,000 milesOAK Creek, WIFire
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW X3. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEATED SEATS BECAME HOTTER THAN NORMAL. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER, EXITED THE VEHICLE, AND NOTICED THAT THE HEATED SEAT COILS BURNED HOLES THROUGH THE LEATHER SEATS AND THE SEAT COVERS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
NHTSA complaint #10836609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 86,003 milesVacaville, CA
SEATS
I TURNED ON MY SEAT HEATERS TO THE LOWEST SETTING (1OUT OF 3) JUST AS I LEFT WORK. AFTER ABOUT 20 SECONDS AS I DROVE DOWN THE ROAD, I FELT A SHARP BURNING THROUGH MY WOOL JACKET IN MY LEFT THIGH/BUTT AREA. I TURNED IT OFF IMMEDIATELY. WHEN I GOT HOME AND LOOKED AT THE SEAT, IT HAD LEFT A BURN AREA IN THE LEATHER. AFTER LOOKING AT DIFFERENT WEBSITES AND FORUMS ONLINE, IT SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. HOWEVER, BASED ON OWNER'S COMMENTS, THE DEALERS AREN'T TAKING RESPONSIBILITY.
NHTSA complaint #10823182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 156,000 milesSpring Valley, NY1 injured
SEATS
WHILE I DRIVE MY CAR , I TURNED ON MY SEAT HEAT , I START FEELING BURNING PAIN WHILE AM DRIVING ON HIGHWAY , THE SECOND TIME WHEN I FINISHED MY WORK AND I START MY CAR TO HEAD HOME , I START SMELLING BURNING AND MY LEG WAS BURNING SO BAD , I GOT OUT OF THE CAR , AND MY SEAT LEATHER WAS BURNING , I SAW HOLE IN MY SEAT AND THE WIRES INSIDE WAS BURNED AND SMELLED TERRIBLE , THAT IS SAFETY ISSUE , IF IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY , I WOULD GET IN AN ACCIDENT
NHTSA complaint #10762727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 144,870 milesAurora, ILFire
SEATS
FOR SOME TIME WE HAD TO KEEP THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER NO HIGHER THAN "1". AT LEVEL 2 & 3 IT BURNED YOU OR FELT LIKE YOU WERE BEING STUCK WITH SOMETHING. ON THE DATE IN QUESTION, I DROVE ABOUT 2 MILES, WENT INTO A STORE, CAME BACK OUT, STARTED THE CAR, TURNED THE HEATER ON AGAIN (LEVEL 2 FOR ABOUT 2 SECONDS THEN BACK TO LEVEL 1. I SMELLED A STRONG BURNING ODOR, THEN A SMELL ALMOST LIKE CIGAR SMOKE. THEN IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE HEATER. THE SMELL SUBSIDED WITHIN 3-4 MINUTES. HOWEVER, IT LEFT A BLACK BURN MARK ON THE LEATHER SEAT ABOUT THE SIZE OF A PENCIL ERASER. OBVIOUSLY, CONTINUED USE WILL CAUSE A FULL OUT FIRE RATHER THAN JUST BURNING THE LEATHER.
NHTSA complaint #10690316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,000 milesGreendale, WI1 injured
SEATS
DRIVER SIDE SEAT WARMER WAS SET ON THE MEDIUM SETTING, SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND THEN STARTED TO FEEL PAIN IN MY LEG, BECAUSE THE HEATED SEATS HAD MELTED THE LEATHER AND BURNED MY PANTS AND MY LEG.
NHTSA complaint #10684274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 212,000 milesWesterville, OH
SEATS
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER OVERHEATED CAUSING DISCOMFORT TO THE DRIVER'S LEG. TURNING OFF THE HEATER STOPPED THE OVERHEATING. THERE WAS NO APPARENT DAMAGE TO THE SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #10682952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,440 milesNesconset, NY
SEATS
MARCH 2013 -DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT BECAME EXTREMELY HOT. NOW, DECEMBER 2014, DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT BECOME TOO HOT TO KEEP ON AND A BURNING SMELL IS VERY NOTICEABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10663386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesSeattle, WA
SEATS
DRIVING ON FREEWAY AND DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER OVERHEATED BURNING SEAT AND CREATING ABUNDANT SMOKE INSIDE CAR'S CABIN. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION ON THE FREEWAY AND I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THE SEAT WOULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE IF I HADN'T FELT THE BURNING SENSATION EARLY ENOUGH. DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING AND QUOTED $1200+ REPAIR. RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND MANY SIMILAR OCCURRENCES. DECIDED NOT TO REPAIR AND CHANCE THE SAME HAPPENING AGAIN. DISCONNECTED WIRING TO SEAT HEATER.
NHTSA complaint #10638266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 148,000 milesRockford, ILFire
SEATS
APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR AGO I PURCHASED FOR MY DAUGHTER A 2004 USED BMW X3 2.5I. THE CAR HAS RUN FINE SO FAR BUT IN THE EVENING OF THE 26TH OF JANUARY 2014 SOMETHING VERY DANGEROUS HAPPENED WITH THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT HEATING SYSTEM. SHE WAS DRIVING AND SHE NOTICE A SMELL OF BURNT MATERIAL INSIDE THE CAR, AND LOOKED DOWN TO SEE THAT THE SEAT HEATER HAD BURNED THROUGH THE LEFT BOTTOM SIDE AND HAD SINGED HER PANTS. SHE OF COURSE WAS VERY SCARED AND ALL MOST WENT OUT OF THE ROAD FOR THIS! THERE IS BURNT A HOLE IN THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT AND FOR THE MOMENT I PULLED THE FUSES OF THE SEAT HEATING SYSTEM (FUSES WAS STILL OK AND DID NOT SHUT THE SYSTEM OFF!!). I HAVE BEEN CALLING BMW NORTH AMERICA FOR MORE THAN A MONTH, THEY SENT ME TO A BMW LOCAL DEALER WHERE THEY INSPECT AND MADE PICTURE OF THE SEAT. BMW N.A. ([XXX]) FINALLY TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD PAY ONLY 50% OF THE REPAIR COST ($800 MY PART) AND THE OFFER IS VALID ONLY FOR 20 DAYS AFTER THIS THE OFFER WOULD NOT BE VALID ANYMORE. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM AND SAW IN INTERNET THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS YEAR/MODEL. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT BMW NOT ONLY SHOULD REPAIR THE SEAT FOR FREE BUT SHOULD ALSO INITIATE A PROPER RECALL TO AVOID THIS VERY SERIOUS DRIVING SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU BEST REGARDS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10565390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,621 milesSAN Jose, CA1 injured
SEATS
AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT ON THE LOW SETTING, I FELT A SUDDEN BURNING SENSATION ON MY BACK OF MY UPPER LEFT THIGH AND SHIFTED SLIGHTLY, PUTTING MY HAND UNDER THE AREA TO SEE WHAT WAS THE MATTER. THE REAR AREA OF THE LEFT SIDE SEAT BOLSTER HAD GOTTEN SO HOT I HAD TO TURN OFF THE SEAT HEATER IMMEDIATELY. I DECIDED NOT TO TURN IT ON AGAIN UNTIL ANOTHER TIME IN LATE MARCH WHEN I AGAIN TURNED ON THE SEAT HEATER. THE SAME SUDDEN FEELING OF "OVERHEATING" WAS IMMEDIATELY FELT IN THE SAME AREA, I TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER, AND I HAVEN'T USED IT SINCE THEN. WHEN MY CAR WAS IN FOR SERVICE FOR ANOTHER ISSUE, I MENTIONED IT TO MY SERVICE ADVISOR AND ASKED WHETHER HE KNEW OF OTHER SIMILAR INCIDENTS OR WHETHER THERE WAS A BMW RECALL FOR THE ISSUE. HE SAID NO TO BOTH QUESTIONS.
NHTSA complaint #10549706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesAloha, OR
SEATS
SHORT CIRCUIT IN HEATING ELEMENT FOR DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT. SHOCKS OCCUR THROUGH LEATHER WHEN HEATER IS ACTIVE. TURNED OFF HEAT AND DISCONTINUED USE OF HEATING ELEMENT TO AVOID DAMAGE/BURNS. PASSENGER SIDE HEATING ELEMENT IS STILL OK.
NHTSA complaint #10515345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 145,000 milesCheektowaga, NYFire1 injured
SEATS
FELT A BURNING UNDER MY LEG AND SMELLED BURNING PLASTIC. PARKED THE CAR AND MY SCARF WAS MELTED TO THE SEAT AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM IT. PULLED ON MY SCARF TO GET IT OFF AND NOTICED A HOLE BURNT IN THE SEAT FROM THE HEATED SEAT ELEMENT. PARTS OF THE SEAT WERE STUCK TO MY SCARF AND PANTS. MADE SURE THE SEAT STOPPED SMOKING AND WONT USE THE HEATED SEATS ANYMORE.
NHTSA complaint #10499588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stillwater, MN1 injured
SEATS
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT OVER HEATS AND BURNS YOUR BUTT AND A HOLE IN THE LEATHER AS WELL AS CLOTHES. VERY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #10454473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesMinneapolis, MN1 injured
SEATS
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT WARMER OVERHEATS AND BURNS SEAT AND CAUSES BURNS ON LEGS. DO NOT USE SEAT WARMERS WHEN DRIVING. CALLED BMW, CLAIMED THIS WASN'T AN ISSUE - WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED IN CUSTOMER SERVICE.
NHTSA complaint #10452259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 47,598 milesNewport Beach, CAFire1 injured
SEATS
DRIVER'S SEAT BACK HEATER GRID SHORTED CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE INSULATION AND LEATHER SEAT COVER. IT WAS HOT ENOUGH TO CAUSE PHYSICAL BURNS.
NHTSA complaint #10449051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesGaithersburg, MD1 injured
SEATS
THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATING ELEMENT IS BURNING THROUGH THE SEAT AND BURNING LEG.
NHTSA complaint #10447402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesSilver Spring, MD
SEATS
I HAVE A 2004 BMW THAT HAS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THE DRIVER'S SEAT HAS A SEAT WARMER THAT BURNS THROUGH THE LEATHER AND SCORCHES THROUGH CLOTHING. THIS IS A DANGER TO ANYONE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WITH THE SEAT HEATER ACTIVATED. IT HAS CAUSED NEAR MISSES WITH OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD WITH BOTH MY WIFE AND I DRIVING. OUR VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I DOUBT IF THE DEALERSHIP WILL REPLACE THE SEAT. THERE ARE SCORCH MARKS ON THE SEAT WHERE IT OVERHEATS AS WELL AS BURN MARKS ON OUR CLOTHES. WE HAVE STOPPED USING THE SEAT HEATER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE TO AVOID ANY FURTHER INCIDENTS. WE HAVE CALLED BMW HEADQUARTERS ON MANY OTHER ISSUES AND THEY REFUSED HELP WITH ANYTHING CONCERNING THIS VEHICLE. THE ISSUE LIST FOR THIS VEHICLE IS A LONG ONE AS YOU MAY KNOW. WE THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP THAT YOU CAN OFFER.
NHTSA complaint #10445659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesGettysburg, PA
SEATS
I HAD JUST STARTED DRIVING, HAD TURNED THE DRIVER FRONT SEAT HEATER TO LOW, AND ONLY WENT ABOUT HALF A MILE WHEN I FELT A BURNING SENSATION UNDER LEFT BUTTOCK/THIGH AREA. TURNED OFF SEAT HEATER QUICKLY AND PULLED OVER - LEATHER WAS PUCKERED AND DISCOLORED IN ONE CONCENTRATED SPOT. IT IS APPARENT IF IT WAS LEFT ON FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME IT WOULD HAVE BURNED RIGHT THROUGH AND POSSIBLY CAUSED A FIRE OR INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #10441082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Hartford, CT
SEATS
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN THE MORNING, I HAD THE DRIVER SEAT HEATER ON AND FELT IT GET VERY HOT ON ONE SPOT ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT. IT WAS SO HOT THAT IT HURT AND I TURNED IT RIGHT OFF. I NOTICED THIS A WEEK BEFORE ALSO. THE NEXT NIGHT WE WENT OUT AND I LOOKED DOWN AT THE DRIVER SEAT AND THERE WAS AN ACTUAL HOLE THAT WAS BURNED RIGHT THROUGH THE LEATHER!
NHTSA complaint #10438500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Springfield, MO
SEATS
BMW 2004 X3 SEAT HEATER ELEMENT BURNED THROUGH LEATHER CAUSING BURNING AND DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION OR FIRE POSSIBILITY.
NHTSA complaint #10392308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,000 milesEvanston, IL
SEATS
LEFT SIDE OF HEATED DRIVERS SIDE SEAT GOT REALLY HOT WHILE DRIVING AND BURNED THE LEATHER ON THE SEAT AND ALSO MY LEFT LEG. LEG FELT EXTREMELY HOT AND I SMELT SOMETHING BURNING SO I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND TURNED CAR OFF. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE THE SEAT WAS SMOKING IN THE AREA OF THE BURN. I PLAN TO TAKE THIS CAR INTO FIELDS BMW OF NORTHBROOK, IL (WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE) TO DETERMINE HOW THEY PLAN TO FIX THIS DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10373700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,008 milesNewton, MAFire
SEATS
BMW X3 HEATED SEAT BURNED FOAM & LEATHER AND CAUSED MINOR BURN TO LEFT LEG OF DRIVER.
NHTSA complaint #10373414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,000 milesMount Pleasant, SCFire
SEATS
MY 2004 BMW X3 HAS HEATED SEATS WHICH BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT AND ALMOST BURNED A HOLE THROUGH MY PANTS. I WAS DRIVING AND ALMOST WRECKED FROM THE PAIN. AFTER I PULLED OVER AND JUMPED OUT I SAW A BURN IN THE SEAT THAT LOOKED LIKE A CIGARETTE BURN. BMW WANTS TO MAKE $700 TO REPLACE THE HEATER AND ANOTHER $700 TO REPLACE THE LEATHER. TOOK IT TO CHARLESTON, SC DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #10369038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 74,248 milesChester, VA
SEATS
HEATED DRIVER SEAT STARTED BURNING MY LEG/BUTTOCK AND SMELLED ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL. TURNED OFF HEATED SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #10369051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,647 milesDavenport, IAFire
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
THE HEATED SEAT MALFUNCTIONED AND BURNT A HOLE IN THE LEATHER SEAT. THIS EASILY COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE, HAD I NOT TURNED OFF THE HEATED SEAT IMMEDIATELY. THE HEATER MUST HAVE SHORTED OUT. THE SPOT WHERE THE SHORT OCCURRED, ON THE SIDE BOLSTER IN THE SEAT BOTTOM, GETS VERY HOT AND BURNED THE LEATHER.
NHTSA complaint #10216302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.