TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT ACTIVATED, AN UNEXPECTED VOLTAGE OF HEAT PENETRATED THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE SEAT AND STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO A WIRING SHORT CIRCUIT, WHICH BURNED THE FOAM PADDING OF THE SEAT. THE HEATING UNIT WAS REPLACED AND THE SEAT OPERATED NORMALLY. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 140,000. UPDATED 12/30/08. *LJ UPDATED 01/05/09. *JB