NHTSA Complaint #10390099 — 2004 BMW 5 SERIES

FIRE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 545I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WITH THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER ENGAGED, THE CONTACT BEGAN TO SMELL AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR AND THE SEAT BEGAN SMOKING. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE HEATER AND NOTICED A BURNED HOLE IN THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V575000 (SEATS: FRONT ASSEMBLY: SEAT HEATER/COOLER) HE THEN CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,600.