NHTSA Complaint #10824537 — 2004 HONDA PILOT

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK THIS MORNING (COLD MORNING, ON CITY STREET) I TURNED MY DRIVER SEAT HEATER ON HIGH. THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER WAS ON FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES WHEN SUDDENLY THE BACK BECAME VERY HOT. IT STARTED TO SMELL AND MY BACK WAS SLIGHTLY SCALDED BEFORE I REALIZED WHAT WAS HAPPENING. I QUICKLY TURNED MY SEAT HEATER OFF AND SOON AFTER TURNED MY CAR OFF TO INVESTIGATE. THE BACK PORTION OF THE SEAT (MIDDLE SPOT) WAS STILL VERY HOT TO TOUCH AND REMAINED THAT WAY FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES IN 35 DEGREE WEATHER! MY CAR AND ESPECIALLY THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HAS A BURNT RUBBER ODOR. I TRULY FEEL THAT IF I HAD NOT TURNED MY SEAT HEATER OFF WHEN I DID, THAT IT WOULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE WITH ME DRIVING! NO I'M AFRAID TO UTILIZE THE SEAT HEATER. HONDA NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS VIA REPLACEMENT OF FAULTY WIRING OR ELEMENT BEFORE SOMETHING MORE SERIOUS HAPPENS TO SOMEONE!