The defect
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT SEAT HEATING SYSTEMS, UPON ENTERING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE, EXCESSIVE CONTACT WITH THE SIDE BOLSTER THAT IS CONTAINED IN THE SEAT'S BACKREST MAY DAMAGE THE HEATING MAT LOCATED IN THIS AREA. IF SUCH DAMAGE WERE TO OCCUR, WITH THE SYSTEM TURNED ON, THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT MAY FEEL EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM THIS AREA.
The risk
IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE HEATING MAT IN THE BACKREST'S SIDE BOLSTER COULD OVERHEAT AND DAMAGE, OR MELT A SMALL HOLE IN, THIS AREA OF THE SEAT COVER. IF THIS HAPPENED, IT COULD LEAD TO AN OCCUPANT BEING BURNED.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE SEAT HEATING CIRCUIT. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| BMW 5 Series | 2004 |
| BMW 7 Series | 2003, 2004 |
Components: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMW 5 Series | 2004 | 64 | 6 |
| BMW 7 Series | 2003 | 8 | 2 |
| BMW 7 Series | 2004 | 28 | 4 |
Other seats recalls in 2004
16 of the 601 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2004 concerned the seats; BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC filed 89 campaigns in all.
| 04V548000 16 Nov 2004 | PACCAR INCORPORATED |
| 04V498000 28 Oct 2004 | IC CORPORATION |
| 04V492000 28 Sept 2004 | IC CORPORATION |
| 04V404000 12 Aug 2004 | VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA, INC. |
| 04V379000 9 Aug 2004 | BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE |
| 04V342000 14 Jul 2004 | SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. |
| 04V330000 8 Jul 2004 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 04V279000 7 Jun 2004 | MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA, INC. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2004