1995 Nissan Maxima Heat From Rear Seat

MRSTHOMBLAN

MEMBER
1995 NISSAN MAXIMA
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
250,000 MILES

I was sitting in the backseat of my car and I noticed heat coming from underneath the seat. The seat itself was warm to the touch and heat was coming out of the holes where the seat belt latches are attached. Where is the heat coming from? And how can the problem be fixed?

7 Replies

JAMES W.

MECHANIC
2,394 POSTS

When you felt the heat around the seat, was the vehicle moving, or sitting still? My first thought is you may be missing an exhaust heat shield underneath the car. Please advise.

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Tuesday, March 10th, 2009 AT 5:46 PM

MRSTHOMBLAN

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The car was moving when I felt the heat.

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Tuesday, March 10th, 2009 AT 6:40 PM

JAMES W.

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Well, unless you have a rear seat heater, which I doubt, it has to be conducted heat from the exhaust or the engine being sucked in through the trunk. When this condition exists, close all the windows and turn the blower on high. See if the airflow stops. If it does, that should prove my theory.

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Tuesday, March 10th, 2009 AT 7:27 PM

MRSTHOMBLAN

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There are several components to the exhaust heat shield. Would you suggest I replace all of them?

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Tuesday, March 10th, 2009 AT 7:35 PM

JAMES W.

MECHANIC
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If your asking my opinion, and if you actually have any heat shields missing, AND, if it's an issue that makes you uncomfortable, then you may want to have it looked at. Some of the missing shields may have been welded directly to the exhaust system itself. Replacing these could be a little "spendy". Choice is yours, please let me know how it comes out.