ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2003,WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AROUND TOWN ON ERRANDS WITH OUR FOUR CHILDREN, SHE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. ULTIMATELY, A HOLE BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT AS A RESULT OF A MALFUNCTION/FAILURE IN THE HEATED SEAT SYSTEM. LUCKILY, MY WIFE HAD THE PRESENCE OF MIND TO SHUT OFF THE SEAT AND GET EVERYONE OUT OF THE CAR IN TIME TO AVOID A FULL BLOWN FIRE. HOWEVER, THIS SITUATION WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND A TRAGEDY WAS AVERTED ONLY BY HER QUICK REACTION. A SEAT HEATING SYSTEM THAT DOES NOT HAVE A MECHANISM TO SHUT ITSELF OFF BEFORE IT GETS THIS HOT IS UNREASONABLY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY AT THE MANUFACTURER'S EXPENSE. *LA