The vehicle is a 2003 Volvo model S-60 T-5, purchased May 6, 2006. At the time of purchase, the vehicle was under the warranty of 50,000 miles and was serviced for warranty items by rickenbaugh Volvo. The vehicle currently has 60,500 miles. Upon using the seat warmers for the first time December 27, 2006, a small hole burned in the driver's seat from the seat heating element. Smoke was coming out of the hole when I discovered the issue and I immediately turned off the seat warmer. I took the vehicle immediately (December 27, 2006) to Volvo parts, Inc. For inspection. There is a short in the heating element that makes this vehicle unsafe to drive. I called the Volvo corporation customer service that same day and was told that the vehicle would not be repaired by the Volvo corporation because it was no longer under warranty. I phoned rickenbaugh Volvo that same day and was told the heating element and pad would need to be replaced at a cost of approximately $630. I am concerned that the heating element was improperly installed causing a short, or the element is defective. In any case, the product was defective when it was still under a warranty or improperly installed at the time of manufacture, but instead of addressing the safety issue, the Volvo corporation is following its standard procedure of hiding behind its warranty terms. This is what concerns me the most. There was no injury to a person, however, the leather seat now has a hole from the small fire caused by the heating element. I have not repaired the defective element because of cost. Please advise me as to what danger this may present, or what other options I have in this complaint process. I welcome a dot assigned engineer to inspect this vehicle for the cause of the fire. Volvo parts, Inc., only indicates that they checked connections and fuses and that they are "ok". I was charged $75 in labor.

- Littleton, CO, USA