# NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA02019
> **SEAT FIRES** · Opened 2002-08-22 · Closed 2002-12-18
## Investigation
- **Action number:** EA02019
- **Type:** Engineering Analysis
- **Open date:** 2002-08-22
- **Close date:** 2002-12-18
- **Manufacturer:** Volvo Car USA, LLC
- **Affected makes:** VOLVO
- **Affected components:** ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
- **Affected model years:** 1996, 1997
- **Affected (make, year) variants:** 12
## Summary

VOLVO IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL BASED ON ITS ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINTS AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION DEVELOPED DURING ITS INVESTIGATION.VOLVO'SSURVEY OF VEHICLES ROUTINELY BROUGHT IN FOR MAINTENANCE AT EAST-COAST DEALERSHIPS PRODUCED EVIDENCE THAT BARE METAL WIRES (THAT PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE SEAT BOTTOM) CAN CONTACT THE THERMOSTAT AND ELECTRICAL WIRESIN OR BENEATH THE SEAT CUSHION.THIS CAN RESULT IN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.VOLVO CONFIRMED IN TESTING THAT IF SUCH A CONDITION IS PRESENT, THE SHORT TO THE WIRE SEAT SUPPORT COULD CAUSE BURNING OF THE SEAT CUSHION WITHOUT ACTIVATING (OPENING) THE SEAT HEATER FUSE.VOLVO WILL REPLACE THE ENTIRE THERMOSTAT ASSEMBLY WITH AN ELECTRONIC TIMER DELAY UNIT.

## Source
- [NHTSA ODI investigation page](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchResults?searchType=ID&targetCategory=I&searchCriteria.nhtsa_ids=EA02019)
---
*AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*