Chrsyler Suing Magna Over Seats

Chrysler is suing Magna International for allegedly supplying the automaker with seat warmers that overheated and could cause serious burns.

Chrysler filed a claim in Michigan earlier this year that charged Magna is responsible for a technical flaw in some minivan seats that can result in burns to riders, especially paraplegics who cannot feel their seats overheating, industry journal Automotive News reported yesterday.

The seat warmers were the subject of two recalls in 2005 involving 1999 and 2000 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans.

According to the lawsuit, Aurora-based Magna has denied responsibility for the recalls and objected to reimbursing Chrysler for the cost of the recall, which involved replacing defective heated seat assemblies.

Chrysler told the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2004 that it had received 221 customer complaints about hot seats. Twenty-six complaints involved minor injuries and 33 alleged fires, the company said.

The automaker noted that the majority of injury reports referred to "only a burning feeling or sensation."

Norwegian-based Kongsberg Automotive supplied the heated seat assemblies to Magna.

Magna would not comment on the claim.

Tony Van Alphen, TheStar.com

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