1) use of heated seat. 2) twice, heated seat overheated. Each time it burnt a hole through the leather, and the last time it was smoldering. 3) contacted chrysler, but safety from possible fire was not their concern. They were not interested in dealing with this problem because of the the age and milage of the vechile. They responded that my concern, especially in light of the expense and inconvience involved in this issue, was understnadable, but that my request for considerationin this matter must be declined. Imagine that ... Expense and inconvience (their's of course) outweighs in their minds the issue of safety. As I review other complaints to the federal safety agency I recognize a common thread with there heated seats. It obviously takes more than burning someone, or even burning a hole in the seat and then smoldering to address the issue of this fire hazard. I certainly hope that someone doesn't have to die from a car fire before action is taken.
1999 Chrysler Town and Country seats complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 48, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Vehicle was equipped with seat heater and it burned through the fabric, burning the passenger. Manufacturer was contacted, but they will not repair the seat.
Heating system on passenger seat caused fire that burned seat.
While driving 15 MPH driver's heated seat burned the driver, causing minor injuries. Consumer will contact the dealer in the near future.
The vehicle was equipped with heated seats. The owner took the vehicle to the dealer to have the seats checked. The problem was not detected. Now, the passenger seats are over heating also. The owner had the seats replaced on two seperate occassions. Provide further details. *jb the consumer stated that all four seats failed. Both front seats had burn holes in them. The consumer heard a noise coming from the front of the vehicle when going over bumps. The consumer was told that the strut tower went bad and had it replaced. The consumer complained that a vibration is felt while driving as if the vehicle drove on four flat tires. The consumer heard a whining noise when using the am radio which only happed when using the brake.
On two separate occasions driver's seat heater burned through the seat. Dealer replaced the seat on the first occasion. Currently, the problem has recurred. The dealer was notified again. Dealer informed consumer that the seat will be replaced at consumer's expense.
Last year while I was driving the driver's seat went on fire. It burned a small hole in the seat and caused a severe blister on my leg before I switched it off. The dealer said it would be over $1100 to fix it. I today read all the reports on line about this problem, so I am now reporting it. I do not understand why something as dangerous as this is not the subject of a recall.
While driving with the seat heater on consumer saw that the seat heater had burned a hole through the bottom of the passenger seat. *ak when the consumer touched the seat it was very hot and smelled of noxious fumes.
Driver side heated seat would become very hot after 3 to 4 min. I would often have to suddenly locate the switch while driving to prevent being burned. On 1/25/04 I had just started driving with the seat heater on but got out of the car to talk to my sister. After about ten minutes I returned to my car (still running) to find it full of smoke. I also noticed a hole burned through the leather seat and a smoking wire showing through. This area is at a seam near the middle of the seat. I feel that this is a major safety hazard. The heat switch is located on the side of the seat and is often knocked on without my knowledge. I fear the passenger seat may also burn up since it is often not occupied but in the on position. I noticed in my 2003 version of the same van, the seat heat switches are on the dash instead. The chrysler parts dept. Tells me it will be over $800 each just for the seat cover/heater unit. I have read about similar seat fires in other 1999 town & country vans.
Front driver's seat warmer caught on fire and burned through the seat and part of driver's clothing. Consumer was able to extinguish the fire.
Re: 1999 chrysler minivan seat heater overheat failure. Vin: [xxx]. On 11/28/03, the subject passenger seat heater overheated, producing smoke and significant odor. As soon as it was evident that the seat heater was the cause, the heater was manually switched off before the heater failure had an opportunity to reach its' natural conclusion. Afterwards, a burn hole was visibly evident in the top center portion of the seat cushion, approx. 10mm in size. Damage internal to the seat was not examined by myself. Upon contacting service at siemens car service and purchase point for the vehicle 11/28/03 and 12/1/03 (bridgman, michigan), I was referred to chrysler corp. Upon contacting chrysler corp 12/1/03 (ph. 800‑992‑1997, spoke with emelia, complaint no. [xxx]) I was told that, because the vehicle was beyond its' warranty period, there is nothing chrysler would do regarding the overheat failure; they simply documented my concern. My family (wife [xxx] and three children), present during the overheat failure, were signficantly concerned by the smoke and odor. *ak updated 07/30/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
The passenger side heated seat burned through the cushion. *ak
Passenger seat became extremely hot and pruduced smoke and burnt through the leather because the seat heater shorted out.
Driver began to smell smoke while traveling with seat heater on. Driver's legs began to burn from the seat, and turned the seat heater off. Manufacturer was contacted.
I own a 1999 town & country lxi. On jan. 24, 2003 I had taken it to my local garage for a broken seat . I was informed that the seat track at the motor assembly was broken. Chrysler's position is that this is my responsibility. It is my contention that a seat should be able to withstand the impact of a crash, and not fail due to normal wear and tear. To me , this is a very serious safety issue.
Van purchased new in 7/99. Now has 30,000 miles on it and final payment is next month. In dec. 02, drivers side heating element went out. In feb. 03, passenger side went out. Noticed a small burn hole in seat, took it to dealer, they would order new elements, but we'd have to live with the hole. Feb 24, dropped son off at school, driving to work, kept smelling something. Looked over and smoke was coming out of the hole in the passenger seat. Pulled over, put it out with snow. Got to work, called the dealer, they told me to bring it in the next day!! When leaving work, seat motor kept running. Took it to the dealer immediately, asked them to pull the fuse so there would be no power to the seats. They said there was no way it disconnect the seats. When husband got home, he reached under the drivers seat and pulled the fuse. Took it in the next morning, said they would check it and order new element. One hour later they called and said they would have to order new seats for both driver and passenger side. That was 2/25/03. Today is 6/19/03, still not fixed. Dealer says they have passenger side seat but not the drivers side. It is still at factory. After 2 months of calling, they have said the factory shipped it out 6/17 and should be here in about 2 weeks. I refuse to let them put the passenger side in without the drivers side being fixed because I am afraid it will catch fire also. Chrysler customer assistance is no help what so ever. They refuse to give me the district reps number. The service dept at the dealer is no help, they just keep saying it is ordered. If it wasn't for the parts manager, we'd probably never get the seat at all. From the looks of the number of complaints on this site, these seats should have been recalled. This is only one of the problems I have had with this van and definitely will not be purchasing another chrysler product. They do not stand behind their 5 star rating.
The driver's heated seat malfunctioned, and burned through the leather seat.
The seat heater caught fire.
While driving to work, I smelled something burning. I looked over and my passenger side seat was smoking. I turned off my seat heaters and when I stopped the van, I noticed there was three holes in the front part of the seat. The heat coil had burned through.
The seat heater was to hot, which caused the heater to burn a hole into the driver seat.
The passenger side seat heater had burned a whole in the seat. Scc
The driver and passenger seats overheated.
The seat warmer did not perform as designed.
Driver's seat on our 1999 chrysler town and country ignited as a result of the seat heater malfunctioning. It burnes a hole through the leather seat and singed my wife's pants.
Front seat heaters become uncomfortably hot. Unable to safely use heaters, afraid of seats catching fire. Local dealer states nothing they can do under warranty even though this is a $36,000+ vehicle with an extended factory warranty.
Both driver side and passenger side seat heaters get too hot. The driver's side heating element burned through the leather seat. The heater cannot be used safetly. We are concerned about it starting on fire.
Consumer stated that the seat heater is to hot causing the heater to burn a hole into the driver seat causing and distraction to the consumer. Dealer notified. Ts
Electric seat warmer burned passenger's seat. Please provide any additional information. Ph
While driving the vehicle at the 40mph, passenger seat caught on fire; seat heater got a short circuit. Dealer has been notified. Please provide further information. Ts
Consumer stated the drivers seat heater becomes so hot that it is unusable, it was turned on for awhile, and after 10-15 minutes the vehicle smelled like smoke, and the seat was too hot to sit on and it burned 2 holes in the leather seat.
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