2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA Seats Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKWAGEN JETTA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE WITH THE FRONT SEAT WARMERS ACTIVATED, THE FRONT PASSENGER WAS BURNED WHEN THE SEAT WARMER MALFUNCTIONED. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT NEEDED. THE FAILURE BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

Mileage: 160,000

WHILE DRIVING OUR JETTA AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE DRIVERS SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG AND SIDE SEAT AIRBAG SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO IMPACT. THERE WAS NO POTHOLE. IT WAS THE ONLY CAR ON THE ROAD. GOING STRAIGHT.

Mileage: 230,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE FRONT PASSENGER WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 217,000.

Mileage: 217,000

BOTH FRONT SEAT HEATERS ON ANY SETTING ARC AND HAVE BURNED MULTIPLE HOLES ON THE OUTER LOWER SEAT UPHOLSTERY. *TR

Mileage: 110,000

WHILE DRIVING WITH SEAT HEATER ON SEAT BURNED THRU FOAM AND SEAT COVER ALSO BURNED PANTS LEG AND WIFE'S FINGER TRYING TO PUT OUT THE EMBERS. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

TURNED THE DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT WARMER ON TO 2. RANGE BEING 0-5. I SMELLED SMOKE AND TURNED IT OFF AFTER ONLY 10-15MIN OF BEING ON. I NOTICED WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR, THAT I HAD A HUGE QUARTER SIZE HOLE IN MY SEAT AND MY DOWN COAT WAS BURNED THROUGH IN 2 LARGE SPOTS. THIS IS UNSAFE. IT COULD HAVE BEEN A HUGE FIRE IF I HAD NOT TURNED OFF THE WARMER AS SOON AS I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT OVERHEATED AND BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT, CAUSING BURNS TO THE CONTACT'S LEGS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD BEEN EXPERIENCED BEFORE, BUT WAS NEVER SO SEVER THAT IT CAUSED INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 70,000.

Mileage: 70,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATED SEATS BEGAN TO SPARK AND BURNED A WHOLE IN THE SEAT. THE SEATS WERE REPAIRED UNDER A PREVIOUS MANUFACTURER'S RECALL, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE CONTACT WAS DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

Mileage: 110,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE HEATED SEAT WARMER BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT AND THE PANTS OF THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

Mileage: 125,000

WHILE DRIVING HOME AT NIGHT, MY SON AND I SMELLED SMOKE. WE EXITED THE VEHICLE, CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD, BUT FOUND NOTHING. WE CONTINUED HOME AND PARKED IN THE GARAGE. STILL SMELLING SMOKE, WE RE-INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE AN ORIGIN OR ANY VISIBLE EVIDENCE. BOTH SEAT HEATERS WERE ON DURING THE DRIVE HOME, BUT THE SEATS SHOWED NO VISUAL SIGNS OF DAMAGE AFTER PARKING. NEXT MORNING WE OPENED THE VEHICLE TO DISCOVER THE CABIN WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE WITH AN APPROXIMATE 1?HOLE BURNED UP THRU THE PASSENGER SEAT ON THE LOWER RIGHT BOLSTER. APPARENTLY THE SEAT HEATER INITIATED A THERMAL EVENT WHICH ERUPTED IN A SEAT FIRE AFTER WE TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE. FORTUNATELY, THE FIRE DID NOT ENGULF THE VEHICLE OR IT COULD HAVE CAUGHT OUR HOME ON FIRE, RESULTING IN POSSIBLE INJURY OR DEATH TO MY FAMILY. I BELIEVE WE DODGED A BULLET BECAUSE THE SEAT FIRE DID NOT SUSTAIN ITSELF AND ENGULF THE VEHICLE. VW HAS AGREED TO REPAIR THE BURNED SEAT AT THEIR EXPENSE AND MAKE A MITIGATION REPAIR. HOWEVER, VW HAS DECLINED MY REQUEST TO COVER ANY SIMILAR MITIGATION REPAIR TO THE OTHER SEAT. IN OCTOBER 2004, THE NHTSA ODI CONCLUDED THAT ?DRIVER-SIDE SEAT HEATER MAY FAIL OR MALFUNCTION DUE TO NORMAL VEHICLE USE? BUT ?SUCH FAILURES DO NOT POSE A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF INJURY OR FIRE.? THE ODI STATED THE INVESTIGATION DID NOT CONCLUDE THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST AND THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. (EA04010) EVIDENCE AND REPORTS INDICATE THAT SEAT HEATER CAUSED THERMAL EVENTS IN BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS IN THE VW JETTA HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE FOR NEARLY 10 YEARS NOW. NEAR MISSES CONTINUE TO OCCUR. I BELIEVE THAT A SEAT FIRE IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN. I WOULD ENCOURAGE THE NHTSA TO RE-EXAMINE THE CIRCUMSTANCES TO DETERMINE IF FURTHER ACTION IS WARRANTED. *TR

Mileage: 143,050

I TURNED ON MY SEAT WARMER ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND AFTER A WHILE A BURNT SMELL WAS NOTICE. I COULD NOT FIND THE ORIGIN UNTIL I WENT TO A STORE AND TRIED TO PAID. I TOOK MY WALLET OUT AND IT WAS STUCK TO MY PANTS. THE WALLET HAD THE MYSTERIOUS SMELL. I WENT BACK TO THE CAR AND THE SEAT HAD A BIG BURNT HOLE ON THE LEATHER SEAT. IF I HAD NOT HAD MY COAT AND WALLET ON THE LEFT SIDE I COULD HAVE BEEN ELECTROCUTED OR CAUGHT FIRE. *TR

Mileage: 115,900

PASSENGER LEATHER SEAT CAUGHT FIRE WHILE HEATED SEAT WAS ON. BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND ELECTRICAL SMOKE WAS PLUMING OUT OF THE HOLE. THIS HAS ONLY OCCURRED ONCE BECAUSE IT HAS NOT BEEN USED SINCE. THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *TR

Mileage: 101,300

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT HEATER BURNED HIS BODY THROUGH HIS PANTS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD SEND AN AGENT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND CALL HIM BACK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

Mileage: 73,000

I WAS RIDING DOWN THE ROAD COMING FROM WORK WHEN I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. I DIDN'T SEE ANY SMOKE,SO I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE COMING FROM OUTSIDE. AFTER A WHILE, THE SMELL GOT STRONGER. THAT'S WHEN I LOOKED OVER AND NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SEAT. I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY AND SMOTHERED IT. IT TURNED OUT THAT THE HEATED SEAT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD BEEN ON FROM WHERE MY MOTHER WAS RIDING THE NIGHT BEFORE. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST ISSUE THAT I'VE HAD WITH MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA,BUT IT'S THE FIRST THAT MADE ME FEEL THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE A FOUR YEAR OLD SON AND I AM NOW IN FEAR THAT SOMETHING COULD POSSIBLY HAPPEN AGAIN. I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN THIS MODEL. I'VE REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO VWOA, BUT HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM THEM. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS INJURED. BUT SOMEONE ELSE MIGHT NOT BE SO LUCKY. I HOPE THIS ISSUE CAN BE RESOLVED. THANK YOU. *TR

Mileage: 96,000

WHILE DRIVING WITH THE SEAT HEATER ON IN 2002 VW JETTA THE SEAT HEATER OVERHEATED AND BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT AND BURNED THE DRIVER. SMOKE WAS PRESENT IN THE VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 184,000

WHILE DRIVING WITH THE SEAT HEATER ON IN 2002 VW JETTA THE SEAT HEATER OVERHEATED AND BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT AND BURNED THE DRIVER. SMOKE WAS PRESENT IN THE VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 184,000

ON MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER HAS BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT PADDING, SEAT COVER AND THE JACKET I WAS WEARING. I HAVE SEEN REPORTS OF SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THE JETTAS ON VARIOUS WEBSITE FORUMS. *TR

Mileage: 102,681

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT WARMER CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVER AND DRIVERS COAT WAS BURNED. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, I HEARD A VERY LARGE "CRACK" SOUND AND FELT MY SEAT SHUDDER. THE SOUND AND IMPACT MADE ME THINK THAT SOMETHING HAD STRUCK THE CAR UNDER MY SEAT. HOWEVER, WHEN I RETURNED HOME, I DISCOVERED THAT A SPRING ATTACHED TO MY SEAT HAD DISLODGE. FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED THAT ONE OF THE PLACES WHERE THE SPRING CONNECTED HAD BROKEN OFF - APPARENTLY METAL FATIGUE. THIS STRUCK ME ODD BECAUSE WHILE CLEANING MY CAR EARLIER IN THE SUMMER, I HAD NOTICED THAT A SPRING WAS LOOSE UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT AND ALSO FOUND THE NUB OF WHERE IT ATTACHED. I HAVE KEPT BOTH PIECES AND THE SPRINGS. I THINK THERE IS A STRUCTURAL DEFECT WITH THE PART. I AM NOT A VERY HEAVY PERSON - 180 LBS - SO I DOUBT I PUT THAT MUCH STRESS ON THE SEAT. I THINK THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ISSUE AND THAT IS WHY I AM REPORTING IT. WHEN THE SYSTEM FAILED I SWERVED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AS THE SOUND WAS INCREDIBLY UNNERVING. I ALSO NOW WONDER ABOUT THE SEATS STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY IF IT WERE INVOLVED IN A COLLISION.

Mileage: 98,250

THE SEAT HEATER IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF MY 2002 JETTA BURNT THROUGH THE SEAT AND MY PANTS. I WAS STILL IN THE PARKING LOT, SO NO OTHER DAMAGE OCCURRED. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS IF MY WIFE OR I WAS DRIVING, OR IF THE SEAT HEATER WAS ON WHILE THE CAR WARMED UP WITHOUT US IN IT. I'M PURSUING MY OPTIONS WITH VOLKWAGEN AT THE MOMENT...THIS IS THE LAST STRAW, NEVER BUY A VW, ESPECIALLY A JETTA. IT HAS GIVEN US PROBLEMS FROM THE MOMENT WE BOUGHT IT NEW. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE SEAT HEATER BURNED A COUPLE OF HOLES ON THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER ON 11/29/06. UPDATED 12/15/06 *JB

Mileage: 50,000

TURNED ON THE SEAT HEATER. SEAT STARTED TO FEEL QUITE WARM, THEN I SMELLED SMOKE. PROMPTLY TURNED OFF SEAT HEATER AND LOOKED AT THE SEAT. WHEN I LOOKED DOWN I SAW A SMALL BURN HOLE IN THE SEAT. RECEIVED A MINOR BURN ON MY BUTT. GLAD I WAS NOT YET ON THE HIGHWAY. *NM

Mileage: 39,620

2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA - FRONT SEAT HEATERS MUCH MUCH TOO HOT ...WITHIN 2 MINUTES OF TURNING THEM ON I COULD FEEL A DIME SIZE BURN ON MY SKIN. *NM

Mileage: 65,000

2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLS - DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT BEGAN TO BURN AND SMOLDER. VOLKSWAGEN STATED THERE IS AN 'OPEN CAMPAIGN' ON THIS ISSUE AND THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD CORRECT. *NM

2002 VW JETTA WITH LEATHER SEATS - SEAT HEATER BURNED DAUGHTER'S LEG AND MADE BURN MARK ON THE SEAT, SMOKE, BUT NO FIRE. IS THIS A RECALL? *NM

Mileage: 20,000

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING TO WORK ONE MORNING IN OUR 2002 VW JETTA, WITH THE SEAT WARMERS ON. WHEN SUDDENLY HE FELT A BURNING SENSATION ON HIS BOTTOM. TURNED OFF THE SEAT WARMER ONLY TO FIND OUT THERE WAS A BURN HOLE IN THE SEAT FROM THE SEAT WARMERS. SINCE THEN WE HAVE REFUSED TO TURN IT BACK ON AGAIN. *NM

Mileage: 40,500

WITHIN TWO BLOCKS OF LEAVING MY HOME AND TURNING ON MY CAR SEAT WARMER TO A LEVEL 2 (OF 5) MY CAR SEAT WAS ON FIRE AND BURNED MY REAR. I HAD TO JUMP OUT OF MY CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON. THIS HAPPENED OVER A WEEKEND AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY COMMUNICATION BACK FROM VW. *NM

Mileage: 63,000

DT: DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WARMER BURNED THROUGH LEATHER AND TO CONSUMER'S JEANS. AND FELT A BURN MARK WHICH WAS ABOUT A QUARTER OF AN INCH WIDE IN A CIRCLE SHAPE. *AK

Mileage: 50,300

1. WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK LATE ON MARCH 2, 2005, I TURNED MY DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER ON. I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. THE SEAT HEATER BURNED A HOLE COMPLETELY THROUGH MY SEAT, BURNING A CIGGERETTE-BURN SIZE HOLE THROUGH MY PANTS AND SCALDING MY BUTTOCK. 2. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH AT THE TIME, AND AM LUCKY THAT THE FIRE IN MY SEAT DID NOT CAUSE ME TO CRASH, AND INJURE MYSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE. 3. I HAVE WAITED TO GET IT REPAIRED BY VW IN CASE THE INVESTIGATORS / LAWYERS NEED TO SEE THE DAMAGE.*AK

Mileage: 47,210

THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT HEATER BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT. . THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING. *AK *JB *NM

Mileage: 30,000

SEAT WARMER HAD BURNED A 2" HOLE THROUGH THE DRIVERS SEAT ON THE LEFT SIDE. WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP AND SEAT WAS REPLACED.*AK

Mileage: 33,600

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF THE FREEWAY IN OUR 2002 JETTA WAGON. SHE SUDDENLY FELT HER LEFT LEG BECOMING HOT AND THOUGHT THERE WAS SOMETHING HOT IN HER POCKET. SHE REACHED DOWN TO FIND THAT THE SEAT WAS ON FIRE. DUE TO THE SHOCK OF HER HAND AND LEG BEING BURNED SHE SWERVED ACROSS TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC TO THE SHOULDER. SHE JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR AND SAW FLAMES COMING OUT OF THE SEAT BOTTOM. THERE WAS A WATER BOTTLE NEARBY IN THE CAR WHICH SHE THREW ON THE SEAT AND DOUSED THE FLAMES. AT THIS POINT SHE CALLED ME FRANTIC OVER THE SITUATION BECAUSE THE SEAT WAS STILL SMOKING. I TOLD HER TO TURN THE SEAT HEATER OFF WHICH STOPPED THE SMOKE. THE ONLY REASON I KNEW ABOUT THE SEAT FIRE PROBLEM WAS BECAUSE OF WEBSITES LIKE "WWW.VWVORTEX.COM" AND "WWW.PASSATWORLD.COM/FORUMS". ON THOSE TWO WEBSITES YOU CAN FIND NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS OF VW SEAT FIRES DUE TO HEATED SEATS. I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING FROM THE NHTSA OR VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. MY WIFE NOW HAS A BURN ON HER HAND AND LEG DUE TO THIS ISSUE, NOT TO MENTION THE FACT THAT THIS SEAT FIRE COULD HAVE CAUSED A SEVERE CAR ACCIDENT DUE TO DISTRACTION. *AK

Mileage: 67,000

I HAVE HEATED SEATS IN MY 2002 JETTA. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING LAST WEEK AND NOTICED A PAIN IN HER LEFT LEG. SHE REALIZED THAT IT WAS A BURNING SENSATION. SHE QUICKLY TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER AND PULLED OVER AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR. THE SEAT HAD MELTED AND THE COVER WAS MELTING AND BEGINNING TO BURN. FORTUNATELY SHE TURNED OFF THE HEATER RIGHT AWAY AND GOT OFF THE SEAT. I READ OTHER COMPLAINTS OF FIRE AND BURN INJURIES. NOW I HAVE A DEFORMED SEAT CUSHION (DUE TO MELTING) AND A HOLE IN THE COVER. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF CONTACTING VW TO SEE IF THEY WILL REPLACE THIS SEAT AND HEATER. I JUST EXCEEDED THE MILEAGE ON MY WARRANTY.*AK

Mileage: 65,200

I WAS DRIVING HOME IN MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA AND I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. THEN I FELT A BURNING SENSATION ON MY THIGH. I STOPPED THE CAR AND LOOKED AT MY SEAT TO FIND OUT THAT MY HEATED SEATS HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE INSIDE OUT. I POURED WATER IN THE BURNING HOLE AND IT SIZZLED OUT. IT BURNT A HOLE IN MY SEAT, MY SKIRT AND LEFT A RED MARK IN MY LEG. FORTUNATELY, I PULLED OVER AND PUT THE FIRE OUT BEFORE ANY SERIOUS DAMAGES WERE INCURRED. I CALLED THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP AND TOLD HIM ABOUT THE INCIDENT. THE PERSON I SPOKE TO ACTED AS IF IT WAS NO BIG DEAL. HE TOLD ME TO BRING MY CAR IN AND IF IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY, THE WARMER AND SEATS WOULD BE REPLACED AT MY 2 DAY INCONVENIENCE. TO DATE, I HAVEN'T TAKEN IT IN BECAUSE I AM DETERMINING WHAT/IF ANY LEGAL ACTION, I SHOULD TAKE. *JB

SEAT WARMER BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND MY PANTS. THE HOLE WAS SMOKING AND I HAD TO POUR POP IN THE HOLE TO PUT IT OUT. *JB

Mileage: 51,821

THE HEATED SEAT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF MY 2002 VW JETTA BEGAN TO SMOLDER AT THE "3" SETTING WHILE I WAS WARMING THE CAR UP. IT EVENTUALLY BURNT A HOLE IN THE LEFT SEAT BOLSTER APPROXIMATELY" BY " IN SIZE. USUALLY I TURN THE SEAT HEATER ON WHILE I AM DEFROSTING THE WINDSHIELD IN THE DRIVEWAY. WITHOUT SOMEONE IN THE CAR IT COULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND EITHER DESTROYED THE CAR OR CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE INTERIOR.*AK

Mileage: 65,800

WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED THE SEAT HEATER WAS UNUSUALLY HOT AND FELT BURNING ON MY LEG. I TURNED THE SEAT HEATER OFF, AND WHEN I EXITED THE VEHICLE, NOTICED TWO QUARTER-SIZED BURN HOLES IN THE SEAT AND A BURN HOLE IN MY WOOL COAT. VW DEALER WILL BE REPLACING THE SEAT, AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THEY WILL COMPENSATE ME FOR MY COAT. *AK

Mileage: 37,900

THE DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT ON MY 2002 JETTA 1.8T STARTED SMOLDERING AND BURNT A HOLE THROUGH THE FARBIC AND BURNED MY LEG. *AK

Mileage: 47,000

2002 VW JETTA TDI WITH HEATED CLOTH SEATS. DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER OVERHEATS IN A SMALL SPOT, CAUSING BURNING (BROWN COLORATION) OF THE SEAT AND THE START OF A BURNT LEG ON THE WIFE (JUST WHAT I NEED...ONE MORE THING TO HEAR ABOUT...). PASSENGER SEAT WORKS FINE. DRIVER SEAT HEATER NO LONGER USED AS PROBLEM IS REPEATABLE. *NM

Mileage: 60,000

2002 VW JETTA TDI WITH LEATHER HEATED SEATS. GOT SO HOT IN LEFT HIP CORNER THAT I ALMOST WAS BURNED THROUGH MY CLOTHES. BURNING SMELL ALSO NOTED. IMMEDIATELY SHUT SEAT HEATER TO OFF. *NM

Mileage: 60,890

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER CAUGHT SEAT CUSHION ON FIRE. BURNED MY PANTS AND BUTTOCKS. DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AT TIME OF INCIDENCE. HAVE NOT CONTACTED DEALER YET. WILL DO SO TOMORROW.*AK

Mileage: 62,000

ON THE MORNING OF 12/15/04, BEFORE GOING TO WORK, I STARTED MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TO WARM UP. I ALSO TURNED ON THE SEAT WARMER TO ITS HIGHEST SETTING (5). ABOUT 5 MINUTES LATER I GOT IN THE CAR TO GO TO WORK. I WAS ABOUT 1.5 MILES FROM MY HOUSE WHEN I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. THEN I FELT A SHARP PAIN IN MY LEFT LEG. WHEN I PUT MY HAND IN BETWEEN MY LEG AND THE CAR SEAT, I GOT A TAR-LIKE SUBSTANCE ON MY HAND. I THEN REALIZED THAT THE SEAT WARMER MALFUNCTIONED AND WAS MELTING MY SEAT! IT MELTED SYNTHENTIC ONTO MY WOOL COAT AND PANTS, AS WELL AS MY SKIN. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT OFF WITHOUT HAVING TO GO TO THE ER. I CONTACTED A SERVICE MANAGER AT METRO VW IN IRVING TX. HE SAID HE COULD HELP ME FIX THE SEAT, BUT TO CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE REGARDING THE OTHER DAMAGES. HE ADDED THAT C.S. WOULD ACT LIKE THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, BUT HE KNEW IT WAS A REGULAR PROBLEM. C.S. DID OFFER TO HAVE MY SEAT FIXED AS WELL AS REPLACE MY COAT, BUT WHEN I MENTIONED A RECALL SO THIS WOULDN'T HAPPEN TO OTHERS, THEY SAID IT WAS NOT FINANCIALLY FEASIBLE, AND THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOT MANDATING A RECALL, SO THEY WERE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *JB

Mileage: 34,700

THE DRIVER'S SEAT IN MY 2002 VW JETTA GLS 1.8T BEGAN SMOLDERING THIS MORNING. I STARTED MY CAR TO WARM IT UP AND BEGAN TO CLEAN THE SNOW FROM THE WINDSHIELD. WHEN I ENTERED THE CAR I NOTICED A STRONG "BURNING" SMELL. I QUICKLY GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND NOTICED THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS SMOKING. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE BURNING BY TURNING OFF THE HEATED SEAT AND PUTTING SNOW ON THE AREA. I WAS SURE IT WAS THE HEATED SEAT WHICH CAUSED THE SEAT TO BURN BECAUSE A PORTION OF THE HEATING ELEMENT IS EXPOSED AND IT WAS SPARKING. I NOW HAVE A HOLE THE SIZE OF A PENNY ON THE SEAT.*AK

Mileage: 46,950

WHILE EXITING THE VEHICLE NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS BURNED. ALSO, DRIVER'S COAT WAS BURNED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK ......*AK

I HAVE A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI. MY BOY FRIEND WAS IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT FOR A MAXIMUM OF 5 MINUTES WHEN THE SEAT HEATER BURNT A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT, HIS JEANS, AND LEFT A SMOKING BLACK RING IN HIS LEATHER WALLET. THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THIS FAILURE, IT JUST HAPPENED. SO, NOW I HAVE AN EXPENSIVE CAR SEAT, JEANS, AND A WALLET THAT ARE RUINED. THE SEAT WILL COST MORE THAN SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS TO FIX AND THE JEANS AND WALLET ANOTHER COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS TO REPLACE. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE CONTACTED TWO DEALERS, ONE WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND ANOTHER WHERE I CURRENTLY RESIDE, AND BOTH ARE SAYING THAT IT WILL NOT BE FIXED BECAUSE MY CAR IS 2,000 MILES OVER ITS WARRANTY. I HAVE SPOKEN TO VOLKSWAGEN'S CUSTOMER CARE CENTER AND THEY HAVE OFFERED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE JEANS AND WALLET, BUT NOTHING FOR THE SEAT. I FEEL THAT THIS IS NOT A NORMAL "WEAR AND TEAR" PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE FULLY COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER.*AK

Mileage: 61,900

THE HEATER ELEMENT IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT OF MY 2002 VW JETTA VR6 BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER AND LEFT A QUARTER SIZE BURN HOLE IN THE SEAT OF MY CAR AND THE SEAT OF MY PANTS. FORTUNATELY MY WALLET FORMED A BARRIER BETWEEN ME AND THE HEAT SOURCE. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A VW DEALER IN MASSACHUSETTS AND I AM CURRENTLY WAITING FOR A NEW SEAT CUSHION AND HEATER ELEMENT. IF ANYONE SHOULD ASK WHAT REALLY "BURNS ME UP", I TELL THEM THE SEAT OF MY VW JETTA. *AK

Mileage: 40,800

SEAT HEATER MALFUNCTIONED, BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT AND BURNED ME WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I SAFELY PULLED THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE REPLACEMENT COMPONENTS ALSO MALFUNCTIONED, BURNING THE LEATHER SEAT AND ONCE AGAIN, BURNED ME. ALSO, THE SUNROOF HAS PLASTIC GUIDES THAT KEEP BREAKING, I HAVE HAD THESE PLASTIC COMPONENTS REPLACED THREE TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED MY CAR IN 2002, AND I DON'T USE MY SUNROOF THAT OFTEN, PROBABLY LESS THAN 30 TIMES/YEAR. *JB

Mileage: 56,000

I USED THE HEATED SEAT FEATURE ON MY 2002 VW JETTA. 12-11-04, I NOTICED A BURN HOLE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT. I PLACED MY FINGER OVER IT AND BURNT MY FINGER. I ALSO HAVE A GOOD JACKET THAT HAS A BURN MARK ON IT. I WILL BE CONTACTING MY VW DEALERSHIP ON 12-13-04 TO LET THEM KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE THEM REPLACE MY SEAT AND COAT! I THINK THE FACT THAT THE NHTSA IS WAITING FOR A FATALITY OR TWO BEFORE MAKING THIS A RECALL IS JUST RIDICULOUS. *JB

Mileage: 35,101

VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH HEATED SEATS WHICH MALFUNCTIONED. THE HEAT COILS BURNED STRAIGHT THROUGH THE DRIVER'S SEAT, CAUSING SECOND DEGREE BURNS TO THE DRIVER. *AK

Mileage: 37,000

PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVE AT WORK. I SMELT SOMETHING, LIKE BURNING. I PUT CAR IN PARK. FELT BURNING SENSATION ON UPPER LEFT THIGH/ BUTT. LOOKED DOWN AND THERE WAS A GROWING HOLE WITH SMALL FLAME. I TURNED OFF MY CAR, NOTICED MY JEANS WERE BURNT, JUMPED OUT, AND THE SMALL FLAME WAS STILL VISIBLE IN THE HOLE. ONCE I FIGURED OUT IT WAS THE SEAT HEATER I TURNED OFF THE SWITCH WICH WAS ONLY SET AT 2 OUT OF 5 LEVELS. ONLY THEN, WHEN BOTH MY CAR AND SEAT HEATER SWITCH OFF DID IT DIE OUT. TOOK DIRECTLY TO DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT AND USED "UPDATED PART" BUT WOULD NOT EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT THIS MEANT OR WHAT THEY DID. THEY WOULD NOT GIVE ME INFORMATION OR CLAIM THAT THIS WOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN.*AK

Mileage: 56,000

MY WIFE AND I OWN A 2002 JETTA GLS 1.8T WITH HEATED SEATS. WHILE DRIVING I FELT MY LEG GETTING EXTREMELY HOT AND I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. I PULLED OVER AND FOUND A HOLE IN MY PANTS AND A HOLE IN MY DRIVER'S SEAT. THE SEAT WAS STILL SMOKING WHEN I PULLED OVER. MY WIFE TURNED OFF THE HEATED SEATS AND THE SEAT STOPPED SMOKING. I CONTACTED TWO VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIPS AND THEY STATED THEY WERE AWARE OF SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENING TOVOLKSWAGENS BEFORE. THIS RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO THE CAR, MY PANTS, A MINOR BURN TO MY LEG, AND CAUSED ME TO QUESTION THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE.*AK

Mileage: 28,750

DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER WIRING CAUGHT ON FIRE, BURNING THE FABRIC. VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *AK

FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE THROUGH THE NYLON FABRIC, BURNING THE PASSENGER. NEW SEAT WILL BE REPLACED BY MANUFACTURER.*AK

I TURNED ON MY DRIVERS SIDE SEAT WARMER. AFTER ABOUT 2 MINUTES, THERE WAS A NOTICABLE SMOKE IN THE CAR AND EXTREME HEAT COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVERS SEAT. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE SEAT WARMER. AFTER PULLING IN THE GARAGE, THERE WAS A SMALL BURN ON MY PANTS AND A 1/4" HOLE BURNED THROUGH THE FABRIC ON THE SEAT. VOLKSWAGON STATES THAT THE HEATER ELEMENT SHORTED OUT, HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE.*AK

Mileage: 61,790

I HAVE A 2002 JETTA 1.8T. I STARTED DRIVING MY CAR AND TURNED ON MY SEAT WARMER TO 3 AND WITHIN 30 SECONDS SAW A STREAM OF SMOKE COMING FROM MY SEAT. I QUICKLY TURNED OFF THE SEAT WARMER AND STOPPED THE CAR AND GO OUT. A HOLE WAS BURNED THROUGHT MY SEAT AND MY JEANS THAT I WAS WEARING WERE BURNED AS WELL. I TURNED IT BACK ON FOR A SECOND AND SAW A SMALL FLAME IGNITED.*AK

Mileage: 45,000

APPROXIMATELY 2 MINUTES AFTER TURNING ON DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER, NOTICED BURNING SMELL, FOLLOWED SHORTLY THEREAFTER BY HEAT SENSATION ON MY LEFT THIGH. IMMEDIATELY TURNED HEATER OFF, PULLED CAR OFF ROAD, AND GOT OUT. FOUND DIME SIZED BURN PATTERN IN LEATHER SEAT. SEARCHED NHTSA WEBSITE THE NEXT DAY AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON 2002 JETTAS. CALLED DEALER TO SCHEDULE A REPAIR APPOINTMENT.*AK

Mileage: 15,000

SEAT HEATER ON 2002 JETTA 1.8T OVERHEATED CREATING HOLE IN DRIVER'S SEAT. HILE DRIVING NORMALLY THE WITHT HE SEAT HEATER IN POSITION 1 ( LOWEST - HIGHEST IS 5) SEAT GOT TOO HOT TO THE POINT FELT AS THOUGH WOULD BURN. THERE WAS NO FIRE OR SMOKE BUT LITTLE BURNING SMELL. CAR WAS SENT TO ARDMORE VW FOR SERVICE AND THEY TESTED SEAT HEATER. GOT CALL FROM SA THAT THE SEAT HEATER WAS GONE AND THAT IT BURNT THROUGH THE SEAT COVER. *AK

Mileage: 43,500

HEATER IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT AND DRIVER'S COAT WHILE DRIVING. *AK

Mileage: 60,319

MY CAR, A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA WAS PARKED AND RUNNING AND THE DRIVER SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE FOR NO APPARENT REASON DUE TO MOST LIKELY THE HEATING ELEMENT IN THE SEAT. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE IF I WAS IN THE CAR I MAY HAVE BEEN INJURED OR KILLED DUE TO THE DEFECT. I JUST WANT SOMEONE TO KNOW SO THAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE SAFE IN THE FUTURE. *JB

Mileage: 42,000

OUR 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI HAD SPARKS COMING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER THAT BURNED TWO HOLES IN THE SEAT.

Mileage: 49,400

UPON TURNING ON THE SEAT HEATER, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT CAUGHT FIRE, BURNING THROUGH THE SEAT CLOTH, FOAM, AND DRIVER'S CLOTHING.*AK

Mileage: 38,000

1 & 2. MY 2002 VW JETTA'S DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT STARTED ON FIRE. I NOTICED THE FIRE WHEN I FELT A BURNING SENSATION AS MY PANTS WERE CATCHING FIRE. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE SEAT OFF & PULLED OVER. THE SEAT HAD A DIME TO QUARTER SIZE BURN HOLE IN IT AND IF I TURNED THE HEATED SEAT BACK ON I COULD SEE THE WIRE ARCING.3. THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER REPLACED THE SEAT 5 DAYS LATER.*AK

Mileage: 37,690

VOLKSWAGEN 2002 JETTA FAULTY SEAT WARMERS. ON THE MORNING OF OCT 11, 2004 I TURNED THE SEAT WARMER ON TO SETTING NUMBER 2. ROUGHLY 1-2 MINUTES LATER WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IT BEGAN TO SMELL LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING. I FELT A BURNING ON MY LEG AND BEGAN TO SEE SMOKE. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR. THERE WAS A DIME SIZE HOLE IN THE SEAT WHERE THE SEAT HAD BURNED THROUGH. THERE WAS ALSO A BURN ON MY PANTS FROM WHERE THE SEAT HAD MELTED TO MY PANTS. THERE WAS ALSO A RED MARK ON MY SKIN. I HAVE CONTACTED THE COMPANY AND THEY HAVE AGREED TO SEE THE CAR AND POSSIBLY REPLACE THE PARTS. MY BIGGEST CONCERN WAS THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED LARGE FIRE OR A SERIOUS BURN TO MYSELF. *NM

Mileage: 42,000

DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER WAS OVERHEATING AND BURNING THROUGH THE SEAT COVER. DEALER WAS CONTACTED.*AK

Mileage: 27,350

VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH AN ASR LIGHT AND WHEN DRIVING ON A SMOOTH ROAD THE ASR LIGHT WILL COME ON ,AND THE VEHICLE WILL DOWN SHIFT. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THEY WERE COMPLETELY BAFFLED, CLEARED OUT THE CODES, AND REPLACED THE BRAKE LIGHT MODULES, BUT WERE UNABLE TO SOLVE THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. ALSO, HEATED SEATS OVERHEATED. CONSUMER WA S FURIOUS. *AK

Mileage: 97

A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. *AK

WHILE DRIVING OUR 2002 VOLKWAGEN JETTA, MY WIFE SET THE SEAT WARMER TO "5" (THE HIGHEST LEVEL). SHE SAID THAT SHE "SMELLED SOMETHING FUNNY," AND THEN RECEIVED A MINOR BURN ON HER LEFT LEG. CORRECTIVE ACTION WAS TO TURN THE SEAT HEATER TO "0" (OFF). NO PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED PENDING A RESPONSE FOR SERVICE FROM VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC.*AK

Mileage: 57,850

DRIVER SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WARMER MALFUNCTIONED. THE DRIVER BEGAN TO SEE AND SMELL SMOKE, PULLED OVER, GOT OUT, AND NOTICED A QUARTER SIZE HOLE IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT THAT WAS SMOKING, AND LITTLE SPARKS CAME OUT. *AK VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. *LA

Mileage: 45,900

HEATED SEAT MALFUNCTION ONED A 2002.5 VW JETTA. HEATING ELEMENT BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE FABRIC ON THE SEAT. ALSO. BURNING THE PANTS THAT I WAS WEARING. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM I WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS ARE ON BACKORDER. THIS ALSO HAPPENED MARCH 15, 2003. *AK

Mileage: 19,000

MY SEAT WARMERS BURNT ME AND THE LEATHER IN MY CAR LEAVING A CLEARLY VISIBLE BURN MARK IN THE LEATHER.*AK

HEATED SEAT OVER HEATED AND STARTED TO BURN A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT. ONLY WAS PREVENTED FROM BURNING LEG DUE TO THE FACT I HAD SHORTS ON AND LAYERED WINDPANTS OVER THE SHORTS - I.E. 3 LAYERS OF CLOTHES. *AK

Mileage: 38,000

THE CONSUMER TURNED ON THE SEAT HEATER AND IT BURNED A HOLE IN THE CONSUMER'S PANTS WITH PROPER TEMPERATURE ADJUSTMENT. *AK *SC *JB

Mileage: 39,810

WHILE DRIVING WITH SEAT HEATER ON CONSUMER NOTICED THAT SEAT GOT HOT, CAUSING THE DRIVER'S BOTTOM TO BURN. THE SEAT SMOKED, AND BURNT HOLES IN THE DRIVER'S JACKET AND PANTS. VEHICLE FILLED WITH SMOKE. *AK

THE SEAT MATERIAL ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT, BURNED THROUGH, MELTING THE SEATS MATERIAL AND CREATING A 1-INCH X INCH WIDE HOLE. THE HOLE LEFT EXPOSED THE ELECTRICAL WIRES UNDER THE MATERIAL THAT CAUSED THE DRIVER TO FEEL A SUDDEN ELECTRICAL SHOCK. FURTHERMORE, THE ELECTRICAL SHOCK COMBINED WITH THE HOT MELTING MATERIAL FELT THROUGH THE JEANS, CAUSED THE DRIVER TO SUDDENLY AND UNSAFELY VEERS OFF THE ROAD. THE HOT MELTED MATERIAL ALSO CAUSED SOME MINOR BURNING ON THE HAND (FINGER) OF THE DRIVER. THE VW BUILT IN SEAT-HEATER WAS ON POSITION 4. *AK

Mileage: 21,500

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH DRIVER'S SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE SEAT HEATER CORE. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK

Mileage: 35,000

ON MY 2002 VOLKWAGEN JETTA 1.8T, MY SEATWARMER IGNITED AND BURNED THROUGH BOTH MY SEAT AND THE COAT I WAS WEARING AT THE TIME, LEAVING HOLES IN BOTH. NCIDENT DATE IS APPROXIMATE. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AFTER IT HAPPENED AND THUS, THEY MAY HAVE THE EXACT DATE ON RECORD.*AK

THE CONSUMER SMELLED A BURNING CHEMICAL SCENT IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER THEN FELT A BURNING SENSATION IN HER HAND AND THE A SHARP PAIN. THE CONSUMER THEN DISCOVERED A HOLE IN THE SEATS FROM THE SEAT WARMER. THE CONSUMER STATED THIS IS THIRD ELECTRICAL FAILURE SHE HAS HAD WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK *JB

Mileage: 24,646

DRIVER SEAT HEATER MALFUNCTIONED, BURNING THE SEAT CUSHION, MY CLOTHING AND SKIN, CAUSING MINOR INJURY.*AK

Mileage: 26,000

DRIVER SEAT BURNED BY MALFUNCTION OF THE SEAT HEATING SYSTEM ON MY VW JETTA 2002. *JB

Mileage: 25,999

HEATED SEATS MALFUNCTION. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE SEATS MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING MELTING OF FABRIC AND SMOKE, DESTROYING SEATS. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS SERIOUSLY HURT. VW REPLACED SEATS JUST 10 MONTHS AGO FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK

Mileage: 47,555

CONSUMER STATED WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER DRIVER'S SEAT, CAUSING CONSUMER'S JACKET TO CATCH ON FIRE. CONSUMER PULLED VEHICLE OVER, AND NOTICED A BURNT HOLE IN SEAT. *AK

VEHICLE CAME EQUIPPED WITH SEAT HEATERS. THE LEFT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT GOT VERY HOT WHEN THE HEATER WAS ON. THIS RESULT IN CONSUMER BEING BURNT. *AK

Mileage: 26,000

CONSUMER INSTALLED A DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WARMER. IT BEGAN TO SMOLDER AND BURN A WHOLE IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT.*AK

Mileage: 28,000

I TURNED MY HEATED SEAT ON AND 5-7 MINUTES INTO THE DRIVE I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL AND REALIZED MY SEAT WAS REALY HOT. I TURNED THE HEATED SEAT OFF AND BURNING STOPPED. UPON VISUAL INSPECTION I NOTICED A HOLE BURNT INTO SEAT AND A SINGED DIME SIZED MARK ON MY COAT. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT MY CAR NOW FOR 24 DAYS AND I AM STILL WAITING FOR THE PART TO GET IN THE COUNTRY. *AK

Mileage: 22,000

I WAS DRIVING AND NOTICED MY HIP HAD AN ITCH. I ITCHED IT AND IT SORT OF WENT AWAY. THE NEXT DAY THE SAME THING HAPPENED, BUT I TOUCHED THE SEAT IN MY CAR, AND THAT IT WAS REALLY, REALLY HOT. I STOPPED AND LOOKED, AND THE LEATHER WAS A BIT DEFROMED, AND I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. THE HEATING ELEMENTS IN MY 2002 VW JETTA TDI WERE OVERHEATING, AND COULD HAVE CAUGHT ME OR THE CAR ON FIRE. I AM GONG TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT IN 2 DAYS. *AK

Mileage: 33,400

WHILE DRIVING UNDER 55 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS BECOMING TOO HOT. CONSUMER PARKED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE HEATING UNIT BURNED A HOLE IN THE LEATHER SEAT AND IN CONSUMER'S PANTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT A NEW SEAT HEATER WAS NEEDED.*AK WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS BECOMING TOO HOT. CONSUMER PARKED VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE HEATING UNIT HAD BURNED A HOLE IN THE LEATHER SEAT AND IN THE CONSUMER'S PANTS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEAT HEATER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*MR

Mileage: 32,000

MY ELECTRONICALLY HEATER DRIVER SEAT OF MY 2002 VW JETTA OVERHEATED AND BURNED MY SEAT CUSHION. *JB

THE CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE WHILE TRAVELING WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER ON. THE CONSUMER OPENED THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED THE CONSUMER. *AK *SCC *JB

Mileage: 28,000

VEHICLE'S SEAT HEATER CAUGHT ON FIRE.*MR CONSUMER SMELLED BURNING AND ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOW ABOUT THREE INCHES DUE TO THE RECENT FOREST FIRES. SHE THEN FELT A BURNING SENSATION, LOOKED DOWN AND SAW A 6-8" FLAME COMING UP HER LEFT SIDE. SHE WAS BURNED AS WELL AS HER CLOTHING AND SEAT. CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. PICTURES WERE SENT TO NHTSA VIA EMAIL. *PH

THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT OF MY 2002 VW JETTA SEDAN GOT EXTREMELY HOT WHILE I WAS SITTING ON IT CAUSING THE LEATHER SEAT TO START TO BURN AND MY BUTTOCKS TO BURN SLIGHTLY AS WELL.*AK

Mileage: 62,000

FRONT LEFT (DRIVER'S SIDE) SEAT MATERIAL SPLIT ON THE SEAM HOLDING THE FRONT MATERIAL TO THE SIDE MATERIAL. DIRECTLY UNDER THE SPLIT IS A METAL BRACKET THAT IS NOT PADDED. THIS BRACKET LIKELY CAUSED THE SEAM TO SEPARATE. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA (VOA) HAD ME BRING THE VEHICLE IN TO ONE ONTO VOLKSWAGEN FOR INSPECTION. REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT WAS DENIED BY THE SERVICE MANAGER (CARL SCHIDZICK) DENIED THE CLAIM BECAUSE I WAS BEYOND THE 12,000 MILE WARRANTY. THE VOA REGIONAL SERVICE MANAGER WHOSE NAME WAS REFUSED TO ME BACKED UP THE DEALER AND REFUSED REPAIR/REPLACEMENT. VOA WOULD NOT PROVIDE A COPY OF THEIR REPORT, WOULD NOT PROVIDE CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE REGIONAL SERVICE MANAGER AND WOULD NOT ALLOW ANY APPEAL. THEY SAID THEY HAVE RECEIVED NO COMPLAINTS REGARDING SEAT MATERIAL FAILURE ON JETTAS. IF THE SEPARATION HAD OCCURRED BEFORE 12,000 MILES THEY SAID THEY WOULD HAVE REPAIRED OR REPLACED THE ITEM. MY NEW CAR SEAT COVER BLOCKS DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE AIRBAG. *LA

Mileage: 32,000

VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLS 2002 THE HEATED SEAT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE STARTED TO SMOKE DUE TO FAULTY WIRING. *LA

WITHIN 30 SECONDS OF STARTING VEHICLE AND TURNING ON THE SEAT WARMER CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE, AND FELT A BURNING SENSATION ON THE LEGS. DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEAT COIL BURNED OUT THROUGH THE SEATS UPHOLSTERY. CONSUMER TURNED SEAT WARMER OFF BEFORE BURN INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED.*AK *NLM

Mileage: 29,000

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER OVERHEATED AND BURNT A HOLE THROUGH DRIVER'S PANTS, BUT DIDN'T BURN THE DRIVER'S LEG. *AK

THE SEAT WARMER OF MY 2002 VOLKSWAGON JETTA MALFUNCTIONED AND STARTED A FIRE WITHIN THE SEAT. THERE WAS SMOKE AND A FLAME INSIDE THE SEAT. IT BURNED THE PANTS I WAS WEARING. AND BURNED MY LEG SLIGHTLY.*AK ***WHEN I CALLED THE SERVICE CENTER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, THEY SAID "YEAH, THAT'S BEEN HAPPENING, WE'RE CALLING THE CARS 'HOT PANTS'" THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT THE SEATS ARE ON BACK ORDER, AND THAT THEY HAVE HAD A CAR THERE FOR OVER A WEEK THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.

WHILE DRIVING I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. AS I PULLED OVER I FELT I WAS BEING BURNED ON MY UPPER LEFT LEG (REAR END). I GOT OUT AND CHECKED AND MY SEAT HEATING UNIT HAD BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT, THROUGH MY PANTS AND COAT AND BURNED MY SKIN.*AK

Mileage: 22,100

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER SMELLED A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO INVESTIGATE THE SMELL, AND NOTICED THAT DRIVER'S SEAT WAS BURNING. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP.*AK

SINCE BUYING MY JETTA NEW IN 2002. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. TWICE THE IGNITION COILS FAILED, AND I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED. THEY WOULDN'T REPLACE ALL THE DEFECTIVE COILS THE FIRST TIME. SO, NOW THAT I KNOW MY CAR IS UNRELIABLE, I WON'T BE USING IT FOR LONG TRIPS, WHICH WAS MY MAIN REASON FOR BUYING THE CAR. THEN LAST NIGHT ON MY WAY DOWN THE ROAD, THE HEATED SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED A WHOLE IN MY SEAT, NOT TO MENTION WHAT IT DID TO ME AS I WAS DRIVING. THIS CAR JUST SEEMS TOTALLY UNSAFE. FIRST THERE IS NO POWER WHEN THE IGNITION COILS FAIL, THEN THE DRIVER SEAT CATCHES ON FIRE AS I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. OF COURSE THE DEALER CAN'T GET ME IN UNTIL LATER THIS WEEK.*AK

Mileage: 6,000

MY HEATED SEATS CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNT MY ASS.*AK

Mileage: 12,000

THE HEATER SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE.*JB

Mileage: 27,000

SEAT'S MATERIAL IS DETERIORATING, AND IF USING A SEAT COVER IT WILL BE COVERING SIDE AIR BAGS.*AK