# 1997 LEXUS ES300 — SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
> NHTSA complaint `656934` · 2008-02-10 · Toyota Motor Corporation
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** Yes
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** LEXUS
- **Model:** ES300
- **Year:** 1997
- **Manufacturer:** Toyota Motor Corporation
- **Component:** SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
## Narrative
FOR SOME TIME, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER (LEFT SIDE OF SEAT) WOULD REACH A TEMPERATURE WHICH WAS UNCOMFORTABLE.  SO, I WOULD TURN IT ON FOR A FEW MINUTES TO WARM UP, AND THEN TURN IT OFF WHEN IT BECAME HOT.   I DECIDED TO TAKE IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE CHECKED OUT AND ADJUSTED, IF NECESSARY.  A FEW DAYS BEFORE I MY APPOINTMENT, I WAS RIDING IN THE CAR AND TURNED ON THE HEATER.  WHEN IT BECAME HOT, I PLACED MY SCARF BETWEEN THE SEAT AND MY LEG.  AT A CERTAIN POINT, IT SMELLED AS THOUGH SOMETHING WAS BURNING.  I TURNED OFF THE HEATER.  WHEN I LOOKED AT THE SEAT, THERE WAS A HOLE BURNED RIGHT THROUGH THE LEATHER AS WELL AS THROUGH MY SCARF.  WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER A FEW DAYS LATER, THEY DISCONNECTED THE HEATER AND DETERMINED THAT THE SEAT NEEDS A NEW HEATER PAD AND LEATHER PAD, WHICH WOULD COST ME $1,326.00.  THE REPAIR HAS NOT YET BEEN MADE.  *TR
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*