Front Seat Power Adjust problems of the 2005 Nissan Maxima

The contact owned a 20005 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while sitting in the vehicle, the front driver seat began smoking without warning. The contact jumped out of the vehicle and called the authorities. The fire department arrived as the vehicle became engulfed in flames, the fire was then extinguished. A fire department report was filed at the scene. Due to her frantic exit from the vehicle, the contact sustained injuries to both knees and her right ankle; however, she did not seek medical attention. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and destroyed. The manufacturer nor the dealer were informed of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact linked NHTSA campaign number: 05v512000 (seat) to her failure; however, her vehicle was never included in the recall. The failure mileage was 112,000.

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that after parking her vehicle the passenger seat began to smoke. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who told the contact that there was a NHTSA campaign id number 05v512000, seats front assembly, power adjust recall associated and that her vehicle was already repaired in 2008. The failure mileage was 82,800 and the current mileage was 83,073.

My 2005 Maxima had been parked in my garage when an electrical fire occurred near or in the fuse panel. We do not know when the fire occurred. The fire had somehow contained itself and self-extinguished. The car was sealed so we assume it ran out of oxygen as the smoke did not leak to the garage. The lower dash panel on the left side of the steering column appears to be the initial fire. As I am not an expert, I can only assume the housing for the fuse panel would relate to the cause of the fire as this is where most of the damage occurred. The fire melted that panel to the floorboard and spread around the steering column, around the ignition and slightly up to the upper dashboard (right side), again causing the dash to melt. Prior to the fire the driver's side power seat would not engage any movement. I had not attempted to fix it as I rarely, if ever, move my seat. This had occurred approximately 4-6 months prior to the fire. Another electrical issue the car had prior was the seat belt light indicator would remain on when the driver's side seat belt was indeed buckled. I do not know if these electrical issues relate to the electrical fire. I did however find another report on NHTSA involving the same type of power seat issues and similar electrical fire to the same make, model and year of my Maxima. At this time the Nissan dealership is not sure how the fire started and is not claiming Nissan liability. I am concerned the dealership will not investigate the cause of fire and replace the damaged components of my car with the same potential electrical fire hazards. I feel this fire should be cause for investigation as my Maxima appears to be at least the second Nissan with the same exact electrical issues and fire.

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the front passenger seat adjuster switch failed and caused the seat to overheat. The failure also affected the steering column and it can no longer be adjusted up, down, or sideways. It remains in the locked position. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the heated seat switch was the cause of the failure. The dealer replaced the switch at the cost of $210. The manufacturer will not provide reimbursement because they have not received any complaints. They further stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 05v512000 (seats:front assembly:power adjust). The failure and current mileages were 88,000. Updated 07/15/08. The dealer replaced the seat switch. The sunroof only worked in vent mode. The dealer replaced the sunroof switch. Updated.

My 2005 Nissan Maxima sl caught on fire under the dash board on the driver's left side on 2/05/08 at approx 12:00 that day. After returning from a short drive, I smelled smoke. Upon parking in my driveway and exiting the car we notice fire coming from under the dash board. Once we extinguished the flames and called the fire dept we realized the source appeared to be in the area of the fuse housing area. I've had a recurring problem with this vehicle for quite some time. My service record is quite extensive on the electrical problems associated with this one vehicle. The latest being 12/28/07 when I had my vehicle in for servicing for the driver seat failure to move. My vehicle was returned to me on 12/31/07 and the seat was operable then, but I was told by the service tech that they weren't sure if the problem was solved but it was working at the present time. As an ensuing result I was unaware I was driving a vehicle that could of went in flames when being driven. I've attempted to contact Nissan corp and have been unable to make contact with anyone other than the rep that took my information on 2/8/08. I've also attempted to contact the owner of the local Nissan dealership where I purchased my vehicle and haven't had any luck there either. My vehicle is currently at ray bryant Nissan dealership to be repaired, again, post the fire damage. This is the same dealership I've been bringing my vehicle to for al of the problems that have existed with this car. Any help and guidance you can offer me with this matter will be greatly appreciated.

The consumer took the 2005 Nissan Maxima to the dealer for electrical problems and was told of a pending recall (05v51200) concerning the power front seat. The recall work was performed but the consumer was concerned about the work not being performed prior to delivery.