Complaint 2180606
2013 FORD FLEX • SEATS • incident Feb 22, 2026
Complaint Summary
SEATS
Owner Narrative
On Sunday, February 22, 2026, I was driving my 2013 Ford Flex with the driverâs seat heater activated. After a period of use, I began to notice an unusual electrical burning smell inside the vehicle. There were no dashboard warning lights or system alerts. I turned the seat heater off immediately once I detected the smell. I did not initially notice an injury at that time. The following day, I experienced significant pain and discovered burns on my buttocks in the area consistent with seat contact. I sought medical evaluation three days later and was diagnosed with second- to third-degree burns. Prescription treatment was provided. The vehicle has not yet been inspected for the cause of the overheating or odor. Based on the location and pattern of injury, and the timing of the electrical smell while the heated seat was activated, the burn appears to have resulted from a malfunction of the seat heating element.
Owner-submitted narrative on file with NHTSA. Complaint narratives are self-reported and have not been verified.
Related
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