1. Home
  2. Ford Explorer Forum
  3. Heated Seats Suck on '03

Heated Seats Suck on '03

Anyone else notice that the heated seats suck on the current bodystyle Explorer? Mine is an '03 (Mountaineer, really) and the heated seats take forever to heat up, only get lukewarm, do NOT have a temperature control...it's one lukewarm temperature, take it or leave it, and they shut off when FORD thinks they should shut off...meantime by butt is still freezin'.

I realize it's no Lexus, but even my 2002 Volkswagon Beetle had an almost instant warm up, a temp control that could be set even hotter than almost anyone could tolerate for an extended period (but enjoy for those first few minutes on a bitter day). Why the suckie heated seats on my top-o-the-line $40,000 Mountaineer Premier? Yeah, I already know the answer.

Reply to
D.D. Palmer
Loading thread data ...

Take it back to the dealer. Ford may have changed the heater element on the '03 models, but either way, that doesn't sound right.

I have one of the first '02 Eddie Bauers built (October 2001). Its heated seats warm up VERY nicely in about 20 seconds, enough that I have to shut them off after a few minutes.

But I agree with one thing---even the wife's PT Cruiser has dual-temp heated seats with a very clever rocker switch, located *within view* on the seat sides.

Reply to
JonnyCab®

Yeah, I agree with the "within view" point as well. Sometimes I want to "pre-warm" the passenger seat...for instance when I pick my daughter up from swim practice...so the seat will be "nice and toasty" for her when she gets in, all cold and wet from swimming then to the car in the chilly winter air. It's a pain in the...well...seat warmer..to reach ALL THE WAY OVER to the other side of the passenger seat to turn it on.

I'll schedule an appt to have it checked out. Perhaps there IS something wrong.

top-o-the-line

Reply to
D.D. Palmer

I hope so. Mine sure work well, so if they didn't change the warmer designs for 2003/4, you might be in luck.

Hey, if you're handy with wiring, you could wire a pushbutton in parallel with the one under either or both seats to a convenient area on the console, too. That wiring harness is under the seats, and, if you want, I can give you the color codes on the wires.

Reply to
JonnyCab®

Our '02 EB built in 8/02 heat up in 60sec and they get warm. Agree on the switch location, sucks. They should be on the dash/console..in view. They need a "low" stay on 2nd setting. wth

Reply to
wth

Acutally I am handy, but I wouldn't fool with it. Thanks anyway, however.

Reply to
D.D. Palmer

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.