by Steven J. Ewing
We here at Autoblog love seat warmers, and we're glad to see that more and more automakers are fitting this lovely amenity as either standard or optional equipment across their full range of vehicles. However, like all electrical gadgets, occasional glitches are known to pop up every so often, and Mazda is now recalling many of its 2010 model year CX-9 crossovers due to faulty seat heater units.
According to NHTSA, the front seat heater units in the CX-9 can overheat in extremely cold conditions due to insufficient electrical grounding, which can cause the seat cushions to burn or even catch fire. (Yikes!) To fix this potential hazard, dealers will install additional ground harnesses to the heater control system, and may even replace the seat heater control unit, if necessary.
Owners can contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500 for more information. The official safety recall will begin around March 9, 2010. Follow the jump to read the full details in NHTSA's press release.
PRESS RELEASE
Vehicle Make / Model: MAZDA / CX-9
Model Year(s): 2010
Manufacturer: MAZDA MOTOR CORP Mfr's Report Date: FEB 19, 2010
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 10V051000
NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
Potential Number of Units Affected: 12300
Summary
MAZDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 CX-9 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRICALLY HEATED FRONT SEATS. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY UNDER EXTREMELY COLD CONDITIONS FOR THE SEAT HEATER CONTROL CIRCUIT TO OVERHEAT AND FAIL DUE TO INSUFFICIENT ELECTRICAL GROUNDING.
Consequence
THIS MAY CAUSE BURN DAMAGE OF THE SEAT CUSHION SURFACE, OR A RISK OF SMOKE/FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL GROUND HARNESS ON THE SEAT HEATER CONTROL SYSTEM. THE SEAT HEATER CONTROL CIRCUIT WILL BE REPLACED IF NECESSARY AND/OR THE SEAT WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MARCH 9, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
Notes
MAZDA RECALL NO. 5810B. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .
