The contact owns a 2000 Ford Explorer. While driving at an unknown speed with the driver's side heated seat activated, an unexpected voltage of heat penetrated through the bottom of the seat. There were no prior warnings or injuries. The vehicle was not taken to an authorized dealer. The contact inspected the seat and stated that the cause of the failure was related to a wiring short circuit, which burned the foam padding of the seat. The heating unit was replaced and the seat operated normally. The contact was concerned of the safety risk involved. The failure and current mileages were 140,000. Updated 12/30/08. Updated 01/05/09.

- West Richland, WA, USA

Front seat heater burned padding material and leather seat liner. The burn hole was 2" in length and about 1/2" deep into the cushion padding.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

For approximately two weeks prior to December 5th, 2004, the heat element in my 2000 Ford Explorer driver seat would become painfully hot under the left leg near the torso to the point where it needed to be manually turned off each time. It was turned off as it became painful, and we were concerned we would become burned and would the seat catch on fire. My other concern for this is someone, such as a diabetic, with neuropathy wouldn't feel the intensity of the heat and become burned. 2) approx 2 weeks after the initial event the seat light will come on but no heat is produced. Why did it take 2 weeks for the element (assumed) to burn out? 3) the car is scheduled to go to an independant mechanic as I do not trust Ford to do the right thing. The dealer is not concerned that my driver airbag light goes on and off at will for days or weeks at a time. They recalled the 98 and 99 models for a tensioner pulley problem and issued a service bulletin for the '00 but the dealer wants to charge $500 for the repair......most defects I took in for warranty repair remain unfixed, (mostly electrical in nature) including a rear wiper that rarely goes on, radio stations and clock display that occasionally can be seen and a rear passenger door handle that after 5 attempts (Ford went against their engineer recommendations to do a recall) will unlock with power lock but the unsuspecting or in a hurry will just about rip a hand off to get it open.

- Batavia, IL, USA

While driving the consumer noticed that the driver side heated seat wire was overheating and eventually burned, the dealer is aware of the problem. Please provide any additional information. Nlm

- Menlo Park, CA, USA