NHTSA Complaint #10320267 — 2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE

TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT UNEXPECTEDLY ACTIVATED WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. THE SEAT EXERTED EXCESSIVE HEAT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SPORADIC. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAITED UNTIL THE SEAT WAS COMPLETELY COOLED DOWN BEFORE HE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V197000 (SEATS: FRONT ASSEMBLY: SEAT HEATER/COOLER). THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURE ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHERE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WAS PERFORMED. WHEN THE DEALER PERFORMED THE MOST RECENT DIAGNOSTIC TESTING THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE OWNER HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIFTY PERCENT OF THE REPAIR COST. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT . THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,500. UPDATED 11/16/10. *LJ