Mazda Class Action Lawsuit Alleges Defective Seat Warmers May Burn Occupants

Plaintiffs allege Mazda engaged in deceptive practices and failed to disclose defects that could create dangerous conditions for occupants.

A newly filed class action lawsuit claims that certain Mazda vehicles contain defective seat warmer systems that may overheat, smoke or cause burns during normal use.

The complaint (PDF) was originally brought by Micah Prochaska, Patrick Sandoval, Tina Rogers, Sharmee T. Anderson and Russell J. Quinn in the Superior Court of the State of California on September 18, 2025. It names Mazda Motor of America Inc. as the defendant. The case was later removed to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California on May 1.

Seat warmers, also known as heated seats, are a popular vehicle comfort feature that use electric heating elements beneath the upholstery to warm the surface of the seat.

However, each of the plaintiffs claim the seat heating systems in certain Mazda vehicles may overheat, causing burned materials, smoke and other signs of excessive temperatures. 

They allege the defect exposes drivers and passengers to an undisclosed burn risk, while also causing property damage, expensive repairs, the need to disconnect the seat heaters in some vehicles and diminished resale values.

Mazda Heated Seats Lawsuit

According to the complaint, Prochaska purchased a used 2017 Mazda CX-9 after reviewing marketing materials that emphasized the vehicle’s safety and reliability, with no disclosure of any seat heater risks.

He allegedly discovered the defect in February 2025, after his daughter’s jacket burned on the passenger seat, leaving a hole and producing heavy smoke that made him fear an internal fire had started while he was driving.

Rogers claims the defective seat heating system caused both personal harm and damage to her vehicle, allegedly exposing her and her family to a risk of serious burns and rendering the vehicle unsafe. She indicates that she would not have purchased the Mazda vehicle or would have paid less for it had the defect been disclosed. 

In addition, the complaint states that Quinn, Anderson and Sandoval each experienced problems tied to allegedly defective seat heating systems after purchasing their vehicles without any warning of the risk. Damages purportedly included overheating components, damage to the seats, and the need for repairs or disconnection of the heating elements.

The filing claims that Mazda has been aware of the dangers associated with its seat warmer systems for several years yet has failed to take adequate steps to address or mitigate the risks. The complaint further alleges that in many cases, the manufacturer did not provide a remedy or offer to repair the damage at no cost to consumers.

“Plaintiff Prochaska would not have purchased his Vehicle, or would have paid significantly less for his Vehicle, had he known his Vehicle would expose him and his family to the risk of serious burns and otherwise be unfit to perform its intended purpose”

— Micah Prochaska et al v. Mazda Motor of America Inc.

The lawsuit raises allegations of failure to warn, design and manufacturing defect, breach of express and implied warranties, negligent product liability, negligent misrepresentation, common law fraud and unfair business practices.

The plaintiffs seek certification of their case as a class action, along with damages, restitutionary disgorgement and any other relief the court deems appropriate.

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