# 2003 ACURA MDX — SEATS
> NHTSA complaint `715608` · 2009-04-11 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** Yes
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** ACURA
- **Model:** MDX
- **Year:** 2003
- **Manufacturer:** Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
- **Component:** SEATS
- **Miles at failure:** 84,003
- **Speed:** 40 mph
## Narrative
1. ON MARCH 21, 2009, I HAD BEEN DRIVING THE CAR FOR 10 MINUTES WITH THE SEAT HEATER ON. I HAVE USED THE SEAT HEATER FREQUENTLY ON COLD DAYS FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS.  2. I SMELLED BURNING FABRIC, PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO CHECK ORIGINS OF THE ODOR AND DISCOVERED A HOLE THE SIZE OF A DIME BURNT IN THE CENTER OF THE DRIVER'S SET BACKREST, WHICH IS WHERE THE SEAT HEATER IS LOCATED. I ALSO DISCOVERED A SIMILAR HOLE IN MY JACKET. I TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER.  3. ON MARCH 23 I REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED AND TO ACURA CORPORATE CUSTOMER SERVICE. THE DEALER TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO BECAUSE I WAS OFF WARRANTY, BUT HE WOULD REPLACE THE HEATER AND REPAIR LEATHER FOR $1050. I ASKED HIM IF HE HAD INVESTIGATED THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE: DID THE FUSE FAIL? WAS THE HEATING ELEMENT FAULTY? THE DEALER WAS NOT INTERESTED IN THE CAUSE.  4. I WROTE A DETAILED LETTER TO THE DEALER AND ACURA CORPORATE CUSTOMER SERVICE, DESCRIBING WHAT HAPPENED AND MY CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF OTHER UNAWARE ACURA DRIVERS. THE PHONE RESPONSE I RECEIVED FROM ACURA CORPORATE WOULD NOT RESPOND TO ME REGARDING THE SAFETY ISSUE. THEY SAID THEY HAD NO LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT HAPPENED BECAUSE MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. *TR
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*