ST220 Heated Seat failure - any recourse with main dealer?

[Makhaira]

I'm hoping to get the Motors opinion as to whether this failure gives me any recourse with a main dealer, or whether it's just a case of "old car, stuff fails".

I knew my drivers side heated seat wasn't working (passenger works fine), so I stripped the leather back today to have a look as to whether it was a broken wire (there is a well known design fault on the Mondeos where there isn't enough slack, and over the years the wire can break).


I was pretty horrified by what I found...


http://dl.dropbox.co...20408-00126.jpg
http://dl.dropbox.co...20408-00127.jpg
http://dl.dropbox.co...20408-00128.jpg
http://dl.dropbox.co...20408-00129.jpg
http://dl.dropbox.co...20408-00130.jpg

It looks like the front heating element has failed, charred some of the foam padding, and melted through a solid metal rod that forms part of the seat!!!! To top it all off, I've not had a blown fuse either.

I'm going to take this up with my local ford dealership, even though it's an 04 reg, since from what I understand it's a known design fault so I don't see why I should pay for the resultant damage.

Any thoughts from the community?

(Cheers to all, from a slightly angry Makhaira)

 

[Brookert]

Was the fuse the right one?

Pretty dangerous stuff, good luck getting something done.

 

[Makhaira]

Yup, checked that already.

 

[233]

jesus thats a nasty one, if you dont get anywhere with Ford (try their CRC ) take it up with watchdog thats downright dangerous

 

[mattyprice4004]

Did you buy it from them? If not, kiss goodbye to any claim you have with Ford.

Consumer legislation applies to the retailer, not the manufacturer. You have no recourse with Ford if you didn't buy it from them.

 

[Makhaira]

Thanks Matty, I thought that might be the case. I'm going to take it up with my main dealer on pure circumstance and negotiation, but I suspected I probably didn't have any hard and fast standpoint to fall back on.