BMW iX3 Seat Heater Failure: Tips & Solutions

Hey there! I actually faced a similar issue with my 2018 BMW i3s. The seat heating would out of nowhere cut out and eventually stopped working completely. The diagnostic showed a defective heating mat in the seat, and there was a fault code related to the heating element circuit. My trusted mechanic found that the heating element wire had developed a break inside the seat cushion. They had to replace the entire seat heating mat assembly. It wasn't a quick fix since they needed to remove the seat cover to access the heating element, but it wasn't a major mechanical issue that would affect the car's performance or safety. Since then, the heating has worked flawlessly. Given that your iX3 is relatively new with low mileage, this could be covered under warranty. I'd suggest going directly to a BMW dealer since they have specific experience with electric models and their heating systems. Best of luck getting it sorted!

Hey, thanks for sharing your experience! That's exactly what happened to mine. Glad to hear I'm not alone in this. Those heating mats can be quite tricky. Since you got yours fixed, was it worth the expense? Would love to know how much you ended up paying for the repair, if you don't mind sharing. Also, have you had any other heating-related issues pop up since the fix? Cheers!

Hey again! Just wanted to follow up, yes, it was totally worth fixing! I paid 390€ for the complete repair, including labor for taking apart the seat and replacing the heating mat. Since getting it fixed at my mechanic, the heating has been working perfectly, no more unusual shutoffs or cold spots. Haven't had a single heating-related issue pop up in the months since. I know the repair cost might seem a bit steep, but having working seat heaters during cold weather makes such a difference in comfort. Plus, it's way better than having to deal with that frustrating on-off problem we were both experiencing. My i3s feels like new again in that department. If you're still on the fence about getting it fixed, I'd say go for it. Just make sure you get a mechanic who knows their way around BMW's electrical systems. These heating elements can be finicky if not installed correctly. Let me know if you need any other details about the repair!

Thanks for all that helpful info! Actually, I bit the bullet and took it to a mechanic last week. Funny enough, my experience was quite different from yours. The issue turned out to be a loose connection in the wiring harness, much simpler than replacing the whole heating mat! Only cost me about half of what you paid. The mechanic was super thorough and even showed me exactly what was wrong. They fixed it in about an hour, and now my seat heater works like a charm. Really glad I didn't put it off any longer, especially since the problem was so straightforward. Really appreciate you sharing your story, it gave me the push I needed to get it checked out. Sometimes these car issues sound scarier than they actually are! Anyway, back to enjoying my toasty warm seats! Take care!