2007 BMW X3 SAV electrical problems

Filed May 11, 2017 · Electrical, Seats · 58,000 miles · PA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 bmw x3. When the vehicle was warming up, the contact stepped away for a few minutes. Upon returning, the interior was filled with smoke. The contact noticed that the front driver seat was burning. The contact turned the engine off and waited for the seat to cool down. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the electric wiring for the seat failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000.

Filed Feb 1, 2017 · Electrical, Seats · 111,000 miles · WA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 bmw x3 sav. After a seat warmer was activated, the heat generated became so intense that it burned a hole in the seat, as well as the contact's jacket and jeans. There were no injuries. The contact was altered to the failure due to a burning odor. The failure occurred without warning. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the failure was caused by a faulty heating element and the seat would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.

Filed Nov 15, 2016 · Electrical, Seats · 105,000 miles · CT

In cool climate on november 1, 2016. Turn on my heat seat, then I smelled something burned, then I felt sharp burn on left butt cheek. Then I knew something wrong with heat I turned off, , on november 7, 2016, I tried again,,, burning smell is so bad, the heat still burned almost through out side layer of seat

Filed Mar 30, 2016 · Electrical, Seats · 110,000 miles · TX · fire

Bmw x3 heated seat burned hole through seat. If heated seat is turned on, visible sparks or fire will come through hole. Hole is directly below driver's left thigh. Bmw has issued a recall for other models, but not the x3. The x3 is susceptible to the same issue.

Filed Feb 14, 2016 · Electrical · 107,000 miles · NC · 1 injury

My 2007 bmw x3's driver side seat heater overheated while I was driving and burnt my thigh. I reacted to the burn and almost ran off the road. When I stopped I found a black burned spot on my seat. From my research it seems this has been a common problem with this model. I think the company should have to fix this problem before someone is hurt badly.

Filed Jan 24, 2016 · Electrical, Seats · 147,000 miles · TX · fire · 1 injury

Due to cold weather, engaged the driver side seat heater. Noticed a sharp pain in my leg and then began to smell and see smoke. Fortuneatly, I was quickly able to realize the seat heater appeared to have a short in it, and turned off before burning through the leather and setting my cloths on fire. I will be contacting my local bmw dealership to see what, if anything they are will to do. I feel there should be a recall before someone is seriuosly hurt or killed. The engine was idling when seat heater was on. I was backing out of driveway and driving down street when I noticed. If I would have had seat heater on and then stepped away from vehicle as it was warmimg up, I am confident the driver seat would have caught on fire or at least severly damaged it.

Filed Jan 20, 2016 · Electrical · 131,154 miles · FL

While driving this morning the drivers side heated seat was in use since it was cold outside. I began to smell the oder of something burning and my left leg felt extremely warm. Not knowing what was burning I turned off my heated seat and my passengers seat which was occupied. I also turned off the vehicle heater and defrosters. Upon arrival at my destination I found that the drivers seat had two burn marks just above the electric seat controls where my leg was as I was positioned while driving.

Filed Dec 16, 2015 · Electrical, Seats · 125,000 miles · OK · 1 injury

The car is equipped with seat heaters. One of the heating elements failed, overheated and burned through the seat surface. In doing research, this appears to be a problem with the vehicles. Bmw did do a recall on the x5, but does not show a recall on the x3. On various sites, this issue has occurred many times with owners, some with the vehicle catching on fire. I found complaints on the following sites; carcomplaints.com, bimmerfest.com and arfc.org. Just on carcomplaints, this complaint is shown 23 times; madbury, nh, portland, or, westfield, in, derwood, md, tampa, fl, annapolis, md, louisville, ky, bergenfield, nj, holderness, nh, liberty township, oh, laurel, md, novi, mi, cromwell, ct, prairie village, ks, hillsborough, nc, daly city, ca, alexandria, va, saginaw, tx, bethesda. Md, pittsburg, pa, selah, wa. Same issue with each. Bmw of north america was contacted and their response was "it's a part of wear and tear....no offer to assist" from bmw na. Yet, the issue has continued to arise and bmw na did replace the heater element and seat surface in some instances, making the replacement a matter of preference or discrimination, or dealer's opinion of the car owner versus correcting the manufacturing/design defect problem. I would request the assistance of the federal safety agency to review this matter and protect the public from hazardous over-heating/ fire threats. I was fortunate to have been just getting into the vehicle and smell the burning leather and turned off the seat heating system before a fire could occur.

Filed Jan 21, 2015 · Electrical, Seats · 68,000 miles · OR · 1 injury

While driving smelled something burning and also realized my upper leg was in pain. Turned off the seat warmer and investigated after reaching my destination. There was a scorch mark in the seat near the bottom left bolster. Lucky this didn't cause a fire or bodily injury.

Filed Sep 14, 2014 · Brakes, Electrical · 89,000 miles · GA

Experiencing recurrent electrical issues including multiple episodes of complete loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking while driving at 15-25 MPH. This includes an episode of the vehicle's engine cutting off without warning during a turn on a busy street resulting in immediate loss of power steering and brakes, nearly resulting in a head-on collision. Vehicle will restart immediately and without difficulty after incident occurs. Vehicle has also experienced multiple episodes of a battery drawing down voltage and non-start in the morning despite a new and fully charged battery. Battery has been replaced and problem persisted. Software was updated yet problem continues to persist. No issues found by mechanic.