# 2003 BMW E36 — SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
> NHTSA complaint `643076` · 2007-10-22 · BMW of North America, LLC
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** Yes
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** BMW
- **Model:** E36
- **Year:** 2003
- **Manufacturer:** BMW of North America, LLC
- **Component:** SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
- **Miles at failure:** 56,030
## Narrative
2003 BMW 525I WITH 56K MILES. DRIVER SEAT HEATER WAS TURNED ON WHILE THE ENGINE WAS WARMING UP AND FEW SECONDS LATER, ONE SPOT ON THE SEAT STARTED SMOKING AND BURNING A WHOLE. THE ENGINE AND HEATER WAS TURNED OFF IMMEDIATELY WHICH PREVENTED THE FIRE FROM SPREADING. NOTIFIED BMW NORTH AMERICA AND DEALER AGREED WITH FULL SEAT REPLACEMENT.  *TR
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*