Driver's side heated seat shorted while driving. It caused a small fire and burned a hole through the leather seat when heated seat was turned on.

- Whiteland, IN, USA

Just purchased the certified pre owned BMW X5. 2006 model and had it 1 day and the passenger side airbag light came on and would not go off. Returned car to BMW of dallas to have repaired. Approximately 40000 miles later at 68000 miles same light is on and will not go out.

- Arlington, TX, USA

Driver's side seat heating element electrical short, burned hole through leather seat when heated seat is turned on.

- Jacksonville, NC, USA

Danger! fire hazard on 2006 BMW X5. Heated seats get extremely hot on driver side left side under the drivers buttocks and thigh. Smell of burnt plastic and fumes in cabin.

- Mclean, VA, USA

I have a 2006 BMW X5 with approximately 60,000 miles. While sitting in the drivers seat, I turned on the heated seat. Minutes later, I felt a burning on my left leg halfway between my knee and hip and began to smell smoke. I pulled over and exited the vehicle immediately. When I looked at the seat, the leather was visibly burnt and was extremely hot to the touch. Had I stayed in the vehicle any longer, I would have been burned by the seat and injured. We are currently teaching my daughter to drive, this could have been a serious safety issue if she had been behind the wheel, distracting her from driving and injuring her leg possibly causing an accident. The burning now happens every time I turn on the heated seat. After looking on the internet about this issue, many people have been having this problem and there is currently no recall for this vehicle. The local BMW dealer quoted me a price of around $700 to fix the heating element. I have not fixed the problem yet and do have the old malfunctioning part. Thank you for your time and keep up the great work! updated 12/20/10 received invoices. Updated 12/21/10

- Binghamton, NY, USA

We own a 2006 BMW X5. Within the last week when the driver's seat warmer was turned on, the left side of he seat heated up almost instantly, and burns the left thigh and buttocks area of the driver. My husband received a 3 inch burn on May 15,2010. Five days prior to this I was aware that an area of the driver's seat was burning me, and I immediately turned the warmer off. The warranty expired on our car in December.

- Fremont, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2006 BMW X5. While driving approximately 60 mph on normal road conditions, the passenger seat occupancy sensor and air bag warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The indicators remained illuminated until the engine was turned off. In addition, the seat belt system chime sensor was inoperative. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing and the technician stated that the failure was contributed to the passenger seat sensor. The vehicle has not been repaired. The manufacturer has been notified of the malfunctions. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 66,000 and current mileage was 67,000.

- Upper Marlboro, MD, USA

I've recently (less than 24 hours ago), purchased a 2006 BMW X5 with heated seats. Just this morning on my way to work, with the outside temperature less than 30F, I turn on the heated seats to the number II position and after about 5 minutes, I start seeing smoke/steam rising up from my pelvic area. I could smell it was almost like plastic burning. I turned off the heated seats and pulled over immediately and after inspection, the lower seat left side bolster had a burn mark in it. I couldn't believe it. Although the car comes with only a 90day/3000 mile powertrain warranty from the purchasing dealer, I have not yet contacted them about it but I certainly plan to but with the expectation that they will deny coverage for any repairs.

- Easton, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2006 BMW X5. The contact stated that the electric seat heater on the driver's side caught fire. While at a stop light, he noticed that the seat was smoking and his leg was burned. The seat heater was activated prior to noticing the failure. He took the vehicle to the dealer, where it currently remains. The manufacturer stated that they were aware of the issue; however, the failure was a result of the risk of having seat heaters. They also stated that they would repair the vehicle for free. The current and failure mileages were approximately 27,000.

- Port Washington, NY, USA