# 2004 BMW 530I — SEATS
> NHTSA complaint `1132409` · 2014-11-19 · BMW of North America, LLC
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 1
- **Fire:** Yes
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** BMW
- **Model:** 530I
- **Year:** 2004
- **Manufacturer:** BMW of North America, LLC
- **Component:** SEATS
- **Miles at failure:** 110,000
- **Speed:** 25 mph
## Narrative
WHILE DRIVING, A SMELL OF BURNING MATTER RAPIDLY INCREASED IN THE CAR, THEN IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY A SHARP BURNING SENSATION IN MY LEFT THIGH.  I STOPPED THE CAR, GARBED MY EXTINGUISHER AND LOOKED AROUND THE SEAT FOR ANY SIGNS OF FIRE.  THEN I NOTICED A BLACK BURNED HOLE ON THE SEAT BOTTOM LEFT BOLSTER EXACTLY WHERE MY THIGH BURNED.  IT SEEMED THAT THE SEAT WARMER OVERHEATED, AND BURNED A HOLE IN THE LEATHER.  TURNING ON THE CAR AND WARMER AGAIN FOR COUPLE SECONDS, RESULTED IN SPARKS APPEARING THROUGH THE HOLE.  I CONTACTED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE CAR IS NOT COVERED BY A WARRANTY ANYMORE, AND THAT THERE WAS NO RECALLS RELATED TO THE SEATS ISSUED FOR MY CAR.  TO CONTACT MY BMW DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. THAT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE AND THAT THEY MIGHT COVER A PORTION OF THE REPAIRS.  CHECKING SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON NHTSA, I AM SURPRISED BMW HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE SEAT HEATERS FOR OUR CARS, SPECIALLY SINCE IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.  *TR
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*