Lawsuit against Mazda over dangerous seat heaters
Mazda car owners have filed a class-action lawsuit, claiming that the seat heaters in their vehicles caused burns. The potential payout amount could exceed $662 million, although it is too early to speak of a final decision at this point.
Lawsuit details and affected owners
Five plaintiffs have joined the lawsuit. One of them, Mika Proksha, purchased a used 2017 Mazda CX-9 in 2018. He claims he discovered the issue with the heater in 2025 when the front passenger seat heated up so much that it burned through a jacket lying on it and left a significant burn mark on the seat itself.
Another plaintiff, Patrick Sandoval from California, claims he suffered “multiple burns on his legs and buttocks due to the heater.” He reportedly suffers from neuropathy, which limits sensitivity in his lower extremities. The lawsuit even alleges that the hot seat “aggravated a previous spinal injury” of Sandoval’s.
Russell J. Quinn is also named in the lawsuit. He says that nine years after purchasing his 2016 Mazda CX-9, he noticed smoke rising from the passenger seat heater. A dealer reportedly charged $650 to disable the heating system to prevent the incident from recurring.
Scope of the problem and previous cases
The lawsuit covers 2016-2017 CX-9 models, the 2018 Mazda6, the 2024 CX-30, the 2023 CX-50, and the 2023 CX-5. It is claimed that up to 301,549 vehicles require repair. Based on estimated repair costs, the lawsuit seeks up to $662,492,128.17 from Mazda.
According to the lawsuit, Mazda has long known about the seat heater problems but did not warn owners of the danger. Interestingly, this is not the first such lawsuit against Mazda in the US. In September 2024, the owner of a 2018 Mazda6 sued the manufacturer, claiming she suffered serious burns and scarring due to a faulty seat heater.
Previous incidents and manufacturer response
The lawsuit emphasizes that Mazda could have avoided these issues if it had issued a timely recall or warned customers. The company has not officially commented on the situation, but legal proceedings could take years. It is worth noting that similar seat heater incidents have occurred with other automakers, indicating the general technical complexity of this system.
This lawsuit could become a serious test for Mazda’s reputation, especially if the court finds that the company knew about the defect but took no action. At the same time, for owners of affected models, it is a reminder of the need to check the condition of seat heaters, especially in older vehicles. If you notice unusual heating or a burning smell, you should immediately contact a service center, even if the warranty has expired. Court practice shows that such problems can be not only an inconvenience but also a real health hazard.