NHTSA Complaint #11446629 — 2018 TOYOTA RAV4

The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Rav4 equipped with an aftermarket Pacific Restyling heated seat kit, part #SH-R-05 which was installed on both the front driver and passenger seats by the dealer upon purchasing the vehicle as new. The contact indicated while operating the vehicle with the driver side seat heater turned on the driver noticed the seat became extremely hot to the touch and turned the heater off. Moments later an electrical burning odor was present inside the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who discovered the aftermarket part had malfunctioned and overheated charring the driver side seat cushion. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 18,000.