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2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE — SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

fire1 injured · 665755 · 2008-04-14

Vehicle

Make
CHRYSLER
Model
SEBRING CONVERTIBLE
Year
2004
Manufacturer
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Component
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
Miles at failure
25,706

Severity

Deaths
0
Injured
1
Fire
Yes
Crash
No
Police report
No
Medical attention
No
Vehicle towed
No

Narrative

2004 SEBRING CONVERTIBLE TOURING EDITION WITH 25,700 MILES. LEATHER INTERIOR WITH HEATED SEATS. WHILE SITTING IN THE PARKING LOT OF MY SON'S SCHOOL, MY SON FELT SOMETHING HOT ON HIS BACK. THE HEATED SEATS WERE ON 1, THE HEATING ELEMENT BURNT THROUGH THE CUSHION AND LEATHER SEAT BACK AND ALSO BURNT A HOLE INTO HIS COAT. THE CUSHION OR THE POLYESTER FILL IN HIS COAT WAS IN A BLACK MOLTEN FORM AND BURNT THE TIP OF HIS FINGER AND HE JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR. THE HOLE IN THE SEAT WAS THE SIZE OF A QUARTER AND NEEDED TO BE EXTINGUISHED WITH A WATER BOTTLE TO STOP IT FROM BURNING,THE SEAT WAS ON FIRE! CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP WOULDN'T COVER REPAIRS, NOT A WARRANTY PROBLEM. SEPARATE WARRANTY THAT WAS PURCHASED DIDN'T WANT TO COVER DAMAGES, UPHOLSTERY IS NOT COVERED, BUT I ARGUED THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR, SEATS DON'T CATCH ON FIRE. THE FINAL OUTCOME, WARRANTY COMPANY SENT A USED SEAT TO MY HOME. CAR DEALERSHIP CHARGED 65.00 TO CALL WARRANTY COMPANY WITH A LIST OF PARTS TOTALING $ 3,200.00 FOR SEAT BACK. WHEN AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN WARRANTY COMPANY AND MYSELF TO INSTALL A USED SEAT, DEALER WANTED AN ADDITIONAL $ 85.00 TO INSTALL SEAT. THUS THE REASON THE SEAT WAS SENT TO MY HOUSE. HAD THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AN ACCIDENT WOULD'VE BEEN CERTAIN. *TR

Source

Authoritative
NHTSA ODI Flat-File Downloads
ODI Number
10224531
Machine
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