NHTSA Complaint #10579202 — 2003 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE

VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN CHRYSLER RECALL NUMBER J14 FOR FRONT SEAT ELECTRIC HEATER ELEMENTS THAT COULD OVER HEAT. BOTH CHRYSLER AND JEEP DEALER WERE NOTIFIED OF EXCESSIVE HEAT GENERATED BY VEHICLE SEAT HEATER AND DECLINED TO MAKE FIX OR REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGE. SPECIFICALLY, THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD FIX IT AND CHARGE ME FOR THE REPAY, BUT WERE NOT GOING TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM. SEAT DID EVENTUALLY OVERHEAT TO A POINT THE HEATER NO LONGER WORKED. OWNER SET FORTH TO REPAIR SEAT AND DURING SEAT TEARDOWN OBSERVED EVIDENCE OF SEAT FIRE. MULTIPLE PICTURES AND MELTED WIRES WERE COLLECTED AND PRESERVED. THESE ITEMS WILL BE PROVIDED TO NHTSA UPON REQUEST. IT IS AMAZING DEATH/INJURY DID NOT OCCUR DUE TO THIS KNOWN DEFECT THAT CHRYSLER REFUSED TO ADDRESS. ALL CHRYSLER VEHICLES WITH SIMILAR HEATER DESIGN SHOULD BE INSPECT AND REPAIRED WITHOUT CHARGE TO VEHICLE OWNER. IN ADDITION, CHRYSLER SHOULD BE MADE TO PROVIDE COMPENSATION TO THOSE THAT HAD REPAIRS DONE AT THEIR COST. *JS