NHTSA Complaint #11081544 — 2005 DODGE DAKOTA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE DAKOTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE SEAT HEATERS WERE TURNED ON. AFTER THE PASSENGER EXITED THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE SEATS WERE VERY HOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT STARTED TO SMOKE AS THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN 25 MILES TO THE FIRE STATION WHERE THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE SEAT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO THE DEALER BRICKNER'S OF ANTIGO INC. (123 E HIGHWAY 64, ANTIGO WI 54409) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A FUSE FOR THE HEATED SEATS WERE TURNED OFF. THE NEXT DAY THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SAME DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE AN AT THAT TIME WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V820000 (SEATS) AND THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL WERE DISCONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 195,000. *TT *JS *TT