SEARCH TYPE : VEHICLE
YEAR : 2004
Make : BMW
Model : 5 SERIES
Type : ANY






Results : 1 | All records displayed
Make : BMW Model : 5 SERIES Year : 2004
Manufacturer : BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 04V575000 Recall Date : NOV 24, 2004
Component: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 17905


http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/

First time I am hearing of this. Anyone know the exact problem is? My seats seem to be fine (8/03 build).

 

Nice ride!

 

I wasn't aware of an "official recall" however if you do a search you'll find a few members have burned their ass already.

Basically, don't leave anything flammable in your back pocket.

 

I just went on the website, and it didn't show ANY recalls for the 2004 5 Series?!? What's going on? I'm very interested about the seat heaters!

 

I retrieve the detail info from the search.

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems...lls/results.cfm

Search Results
Report Date : December 11, 2004 at 12:55 AM
SEARCH TYPE : VEHICLE
YEAR : 2004
Make : BMW
Model : 5 SERIES
Type : ANY

Results : 1 | All records displayed
Make : BMW Model : 5 SERIES Year : 2004
Manufacturer : BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 04V575000 Recall Date : NOV 24, 2004
Component: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 17905
Summary:
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.
Consequence:
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.
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.
Notes:
CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

 

I just got off the phone with BMWNA. The recall effects cars with heated seats built from intro through April 04. May 04 - present cars are not effected. Letters will go out shortly.

 

In Belgium is no recall but i have this problem just like its says in the lettre here.
But i checked my dealer and i gonna repair it.Its truth its f*ucking heat.i don't use my seat heating till its fixed(next week also,woorden lever and plate got install then)

 

One month too late!

Last night my wife took the car to pick up the babysitter. 15 minutes later, As I'm finishing my shower, I hear her yell that my car is burning. I ran downstairs outside into the garage with visions of 2004rtype trying to remember where that extinguiher is and grabbing a towel only to find a cabin full of smoke and this:



Yep, she was using the heated seat, smelled smoke and reached down with her hand slightly burning herself.

Still smoldering (the seat and me), standing in the garage and semi-naked, I informed her if she thought the car was on fire she really should have left it in the driveway and not pull the car into the garage.

The recall states a problem with excess pressure on the side bolster, but neither my wife or me are of the large variety and our hips don't touch this area of the seat. You would have thought this would have happened well before now given I've had the car for a full year and had about 5 months of heated seat use with no prior warning smell of burning foam.

Service Dept. here I come....

 

Hm.. Guess they'd have to replace the entire seat? Or is there a way to replace only the side bolster? Guess that wouldn't be an optimum solution as there would probably be a significant difference in both texture and "tan" between the new and old leather.. hey.. maybe a good excuse to demand an entirely new leather upholstery?

Which reminds me.. what kind of material is used in the BMW fire extinguishers? Guess one would have to be a bit careful using powder as it over time probably would harm quite a lot of the electronics..? I'd guess foam would be the best method of extinguishing a car fire?

 

Bring a print out of the NHTSA notice. When Iasked my dealership about the recall, they had now idea. I had to call BMWNA to get information and they said recall notices had not been mailed out yet (as of 12/13). Dealers may still not be aware of the recall.