NHTSA Complaint #10491601 — 2003 BMW 530I

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON A VERY COLD DAY AT APPROXIMATELY 6AM. I TURNED THE DRIVER SEAT HEATER ON. AFTER 5-10 MINUTES, I STARTED TO NOTICE A STRONG BURNING SMELL. I ALSO FELT A STINGING ON THE BACK OF MY LEFT LEG. I PULLED OVER AND GOT OUT TO EXAMINE THE CAR, AND NOTICED A SMALL HOLE HAD BEEN BURNT THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT. THERE WAS SMOKE RISING UP AND OUT FROM THE HOLE ITSELF. THE EXTREMELY HOT COIL FOR THE SEAT HEATER WAS VISIBLE DIRECTLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HOLE. MY PANTS ALSO HAVE A HOLE BURNT IN THEM FROM THE SEAT. THERE SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A RECALL PLACED REGARDING THIS BLATANT MATERIAL FAILURE, AS MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SIMILARLY AFFECTED AND COULD BE BURNED. *TR