The contact owns a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer. While driving approximately 50 mph with the front driver seat heating system activated, and then there was an unexpected excessive high voltage of heat penetration through the bottom of the seat. The driver smelled a strong burning odor of rubber in the foam seat cushion. The driver pulled over to the side of the road. After waiting twenty-five minutes for the seating area to cool down, he was able to resume normal vehicle operation. There was no personal injuries sustained. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection. The failure was contributed to a short circuit in the heated seat system. The technician recommended not to activate the heated seat system. The vehicle has not been repaired for the malfunction. The failure mileage was 50,00. The current mileage was 89,000.

- Fieldsboro , NJ, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer. The vehicle is equipped with heated seats. While driving 40 mph, the seat became so hot that the driver smelled something burning; however, there was no smoke present. He deactivated the seat heater and took the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer stated that the foam underneath the seat was probably the cause of the odor and there was a short in the wire. The failure mileage was 60,000 and current mileage was 65,000. Updated 03/18/08. The consumer stated there was not a blown fuse. Updated 03/18/08

- Bordentown, NJ, USA