This took place in the middle of Winter, temperatures were around 0 and into the negative with wind chill. I have used the heated seats numerous times before this event took place, nearly every day from around the time fall came. The seat never got too hot, nothing abnormal. WELL, I got into my car after work and needed to brush off the snow, so I started it, turned on the heat as well as the heated seat. About 5 minutes passed and I got into the car. When I went to sit on the seat it felt as if I sat on a piece of paper. The seat made a crinkling type noise, but I just attributed that to the cold. My travel home was only around 10 minutes. Got home and parked on the street because I needed to move my other car out of the driveway so I could pull in. When I parked my car, I turned the blower motor down, turned off the heated seat and shut off the car. After a few minutes, I got back into the car, and immediately my eyes were drawn to the driver's lower seat cushion. I thought something was on it, so I went to swipe it off, but I realized it was a hole! I got closer and could see EMBERS inside the seat! So I grabbed some snow and put it on the seat. It smelt like burning plastic and there was visible light smoke/steam.
I weigh about 150 pounds. The seat was in very good condition, no rips. This all happened very unexpectedly. I thought about contacting Toyota and trying to get them to pay for this, but I knew I was out of warranty and didn't want to go through hoops and loops dealing with people saying they will help and never returning calls. I know how it works. So I sucked it up and purchased one from a salvage yard to the tune of $400. Exact same model, I even researched the donor cars VIN. I installed it myself, it was a very simple job. Hardest part was being cautious about the side airbag that is mounted in the seat. I disconnected the battery for an hour then went to work. After the installation everything was fine. The next morning my Air bag light was flashing. The next day it went away. It didn't return till 2 days later, at which time it stayed on. I decided to take it to the dealer. I called and they didn't want to touch my car because I told them the seat started fire. They told me to call Toyota Corporate. I did, and got a case ID, and got the usual "I'm so sorry this happened to you" spiel. Next day I just drove to the dealership without making an appointment. The guys reset the computer, for $120, and the light hasn't come back on.
Oh by the way, there is a service bulletin regarding the air bag light. The driver's side seat harness connected can become loose and the whole wiring loom needs to be replaced. Thankfully my connectors didn't break, because that "recall" expired last year, according to the Toyota rep. How convenient.
I just would like to say that I am disappointed with Toyota in the this situation. I normally start my vehicle before I leave for work in the morning and turn on the heated seat. What if it had caught fire? What if it caught my garage on fire? I understand if the heating element just stopped working. That is just wear and tear. But for it to catch my seat on fire? Sounds like a design flaw. I'm thankful that I was not hurt and nothing got burnt down, but my trust in ever using a heated seat again is gone. I'd rather freeze than burn.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
This took place in the middle of Winter, temperatures were around 0 and into the negative with wind chill. I have used the heated seats numerous times before this event took place, nearly every day from around the time fall came. The seat never got too hot, nothing abnormal. WELL, I got into my car after work and needed to brush off the snow, so I started it, turned on the heat as well as the heated seat. About 5 minutes passed and I got into the car. When I went to sit on the seat it felt as if I sat on a piece of paper. The seat made a crinkling type noise, but I just attributed that to the cold. My travel home was only around 10 minutes. Got home and parked on the street because I needed to move my other car out of the driveway so I could pull in. When I parked my car, I turned the blower motor down, turned off the heated seat and shut off the car. After a few minutes, I got back into the car, and immediately my eyes were drawn to the driver's lower seat cushion. I thought something was on it, so I went to swipe it off, but I realized it was a hole! I got closer and could see EMBERS inside the seat! So I grabbed some snow and put it on the seat. It smelt like burning plastic and there was visible light smoke/steam.
I weigh about 150 pounds. The seat was in very good condition, no rips. This all happened very unexpectedly. I thought about contacting Toyota and trying to get them to pay for this, but I knew I was out of warranty and didn't want to go through hoops and loops dealing with people saying they will help and never returning calls. I know how it works. So I sucked it up and purchased one from a salvage yard to the tune of $400. Exact same model, I even researched the donor cars VIN. I installed it myself, it was a very simple job. Hardest part was being cautious about the side airbag that is mounted in the seat. I disconnected the battery for an hour then went to work. After the installation everything was fine. The next morning my Air bag light was flashing. The next day it went away. It didn't return till 2 days later, at which time it stayed on. I decided to take it to the dealer. I called and they didn't want to touch my car because I told them the seat started fire. They told me to call Toyota Corporate. I did, and got a case ID, and got the usual "I'm so sorry this happened to you" spiel. Next day I just drove to the dealership without making an appointment. The guys reset the computer, for $120, and the light hasn't come back on.
Oh by the way, there is a service bulletin regarding the air bag light. The driver's side seat harness connected can become loose and the whole wiring loom needs to be replaced. Thankfully my connectors didn't break, because that "recall" expired last year, according to the Toyota rep. How convenient.
I just would like to say that I am disappointed with Toyota in the this situation. I normally start my vehicle before I leave for work in the morning and turn on the heated seat. What if it had caught fire? What if it caught my garage on fire? I understand if the heating element just stopped working. That is just wear and tear. But for it to catch my seat on fire? Sounds like a design flaw. I'm thankful that I was not hurt and nothing got burnt down, but my trust in ever using a heated seat again is gone. I'd rather freeze than burn.
- Steven S., Addison, IL, US