3.4
definitely annoying- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 39,360 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
While driving at 65mph with both heated seats on, I noticed a burning smell in the cabin. I assumed this was from an external source, but was prepared to pull over on the highway if I saw smoke, which I did not. The following day, I noticed the heated seats of my vehicle no longer worked, although the lights indicate they were on without any issue (implying power was still being supplied). I searched Google to determine if this is common, and to my disappointment, it seems that a number of ford vehicles fitted with heated seats have suffered the same failure: the power connector to the module controlling seat heating/ventilation had melted. I first checked the 30A fuses in my vehicle to see if they had blown, and confirmed they had not. I safely unplugged the affected cable on my vehicle from the seat, which required pliers because it was melted to the connector, only to confirm that my power connector had melted. I have identified that fixing this issue requires replacing the wiring harness, this can be done at home for $100 but should be done by an auto electrician. Ford appear to be quoting $700-$1100 for the same fix, encouraging individuals to undertake the work themselves without the expertise to do so. Had the scarf that was in my passenger foot well been near the connector, it's entirely plausible that this issue would have caused a fire in my vehicle and put mine and others life at risk while I was driving at highway speeds. I will make my vehicle available for assessment to the manufacturer and interested parties, and keep the cable disconnected until it is replaced. I will not pay for this repair given the issue is something that should not be a problem in the first place, and that is not expected to be part of a vehicles regular maintenance.
- Columbia, MD, USA
I smelled a burning smell when turning on seat heater. Seat heater no longer provides heat, but indicator switch light up as if heater should be on. The burning could have led to fire in passenger compartment of vehicle. I have not taken the vehicle in to have this serviced. I inspected the wiring harness and the -??M-?? pin is clearly burnt (I have photos). There were no warning lights. I can press switch to turn on seat heater and the lights turn on as if the seat heater were working, but no heat.
- Bishop, CA, USA
Seat heater and cooler no longer working. Problem looks like the module burned the connector. Plastic female end is burnt black and the plastic is melted. Concerned that this is a fire safety issue
- Midlothian, TX, USA
The heated and air conditioned seats stopped working although the dash indicator shows that it is on. A search of the internet shows that it is a very common problem on 2015-2016 Mustang models. The connector under the passenger seat shows a severely burned connection as indicated in the attached photo. This appears to be a very serious and potentially dangerous problem that needs to be addressed via a recall.
- Stafford, VA, USA
Heated and cooled seats stopped working. I checked some forums and found out it was a very common problem. This pin for the ground on the wire assembly that controls the seat is the only one, and it is common for it to completely burn out as seen in the picture. As it's in the cabin, underneath the passenger seat, it is very dangerous for it to be burning this way.
- Brick, NJ, USA
The heated/cooled seats stopped working. Found a burned pin in the connector under the passenger seat.
- Port Charlotte, FL, USA
All upper and lower control arms have had to be replaced on front of car due to squeaking and popping noises coming from them. Also heated and cooled seats went out due to plug shorting out.
- Chapel Hill, TN, USA
I began to smell something burning from inside my car while I was driving. After further investigation I discovered the burning smell was coming from the passenger seat when the seat heater was on. I unplugged the wiring harness to find that a pin was burning and melting the plastic.
- Lynchburg, VA, USA
- Madison, AL, USA