# 2004 BMW X3 — SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
> NHTSA complaint `611715` · 2007-02-01 · 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:** X3
- **Year:** 2004
- **Manufacturer:** BMW of North America, LLC
- **Component:** SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
- **Miles at failure:** 27,000
- **Speed:** 25 mph
## Narrative
AS I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 BMW X3 DURING COLD WEATHER, I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING.  I PULLED MY CAR OVER,  TURNED OFF THE HEAT AND CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD.  THE SMELL HAD DISSIPATED AND I COULD SEE NO SMOKE OR ANY EVIDENCE OF FIRE.  I RESTARTED THE CAR WITH THE HEATER TURNED OFF, AND SHORTLY AFTER, FELT A STRONG BURNING SENSATION ON MY HIP AND REALIZED THAT MY COAT WAS ON FIRE.  I STOPPED THE CAR AND JUMPED OUT AND USED A LARGE BOOK TO SMOTHER THE FIRE ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT. FIELD'S BMW IN NORTHBROOK, IL TOOK THE CAR BACK THAT SAME DAY, AND THE NEXT DAY CONFIRMED A SEAT HEATER FIRE. I WENT TO MY DOCTOR TO CONFIRM THE BURN ON MY LEG.  AS OF TODAY, FEB. 1, I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY OFFER, SETTLEMENT, OR SATISFACTION FROM BMW.  I CALLED BMW NORTH AMERICA MYSELF, AND RECEIVED A RETURN CALL FROM JAY HANSEN, WHO SEEMED RESPONSIVE, BUT I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM HIM SINCE.  AMAZINGLY, SINCE THE DAY AFTER THE FIRE, WHEN THEY CALLED TO CONFIRM THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS THE SEAT HEATER, I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THE DEALERSHIP. *JB
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*