17 of the
633 complaints about the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta are about the
seats — 3% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
99,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2000 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving with the front driver’s side seat heater activated, the seat became extremely hot. The contact started smelling a burning odor coming from the seat. The contact felt a hole in the seat, which burned the contact's middle finger. The contact immediately pulled over and turned off the vehicle. The contact’s back started burning due to the extreme heat of the seat back. Upon inspection, the contact discovered a hole in his jacket and approximately four holes that had formed in the front driver seat due to the seat heater failure. The contact was not treated for the burns to his back. The contact stated that two dealers were notified of the failure but neither provided immediate assistance. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 489,000.
NHTSA complaint #11617892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 297,000 milesStamping Ground, KYFire1 injured
SEATS
I OWN A 2000 VW JETTA. MY SON AND I WERE HEADING HOME AFTER A COLLEGE VISIT, HE TURNED ON HIS SEAT HEATER AND BEGAN TO NAP. 20 MINUTES LATER, HE POPPED UP RUBBING HIS SHOULDER, THE SEAT HEATER CAUSED THE SEAT TO CATCH FIRE AND BURNED A PORTION OF THE SEAT, HIS SHIRT AND SHOULDER. I CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY'VE NEVER HEARD OF THAT ISSUE AND THAT THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A RECALL FOR SUCH AN ISSUE. I THEN DID AN INTERNET SEARCH AND FOUND WHERE IT'S A VERY COMMON ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10682887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 41,000 milesWaterford, MI
SEATS
HEAT SEAT CONTROL AT 5 ONLY AVAILABLE. AFTER A NUMBER OF TIMES STARTED BURNING SEATS. LEATHER IS MELTED. NO LONGER USE.
NHTSA complaint #10513956 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,839 milesFresno, CA
SEATS
THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT NO LONGER STAYS IN A LOCKED POSITION, AND THE SEAT MOVES FREELY, SLIDING FROM BACK TO FRONT, MAKING CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE'S PEDAL VERY DIFFICULT AND DRIVING HAZARDOUS. AFTER INSPECTING UNDERNEATH THE SEAT, A LARGE COILED PIECE OF METAL WAS FOUND LYING ON THE CARPET. THIS PIECE OF METAL MATCHES EXACTLY ANOTHER PIECE OF METAL THAT FELL OUT FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE PASSENGER SEAT OVER SIX YEARS AGO. I CONTACTED THE DEALER, (FRESNO MICHAEL AUDI VW) TO HAVE THEM REPLACE THE PART BACK INTO THE SEAT SO THAT THE SEAT NO LONGER MOVED FREELY AND THE SERVICE MANAGER REFUSED TO CARRY OUT ANY SUCH WORK ON MY VEHICLE. AFTER SPEAKING WITH TWO OTHER EMPLOYEES OF MICHAEL AUTOMOTIVE AND GETTING THE SAME REFUSALS EACH TIME, I ABANDONED THE ATTEMPT TO SOLICIT THEIR HELP IN REPAIRING MY VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10483322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesPasadena, TX
SEATS
HAD THE CAR CLEANED AND WHEN I GOT THE CAR BACK THE SEAT ADJUSTMENT WOULD NO LONGER WORK. IT HASN'T WORKED SINCE. THE SEAT SLIDES FORWARD AND BACK AT WILL.
NHTSA complaint #10455680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Worth, IL
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
FOR TWO DAYS, I SMELLED AN ODOR SUCH AS A STARCHED IRON IN MY CAR. I TURNED THE HEATED SEATS OF FOR A FEW DAYS. TODAY I TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE SMELL CAME BACK. I TOOK MY JACKET OFF AND IN ONE PART OF THE SEAT, MY BACK WAS BURNING. THE DRIVERS HEATED SEAT IN MY 2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA BURNED THROUGH INTO THE EXTERIOR. THE HEATED SEAT CAUSED TWO HOLES IN MY SEAT AND A LARGE BROWN BURNT STAIN. IF I HAD NOT DISCOVERED THIS, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY IT WOULD CREATE MUCH MORE DAMAGE.
NHTSA complaint #10211964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,000 milesBellevue, WA
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
DRIVING CAR, USING SEAT HEATER, STARTED SMELLING BURNING SMELL. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO STOP, THE LEATHER SEAT HAD BURNED. I AM NOT SURE WHAT WOULD HAVE OCCURRED IF I HAD NOT TURNED THE SEAT HEATER OFF WHEN I DID (FIRE, BURN ME). WENT TO DEALER TODAY, THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE AND I WOULD HAVE TO REPAIR MYSELF. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, NOT A WEAR AND TEAR ISSUE AND VW OF AMERICA SHOULD REPLACE/REPAIR AT THEIR COST.
NHTSA complaint #10203218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manchester, NHFire1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
(2) THE SEAT WARMER ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT FAILED AND BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT COVERING. THE HEATER LEFT A BURN ON MY PANTS THE SIZE OF A DIME. THIS ALSO CAUSED ME SOME DISCOMFORT. (3) I CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA AND THEY INSTRUCTED ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO BRING THE CAR IN AND HAVE IT FIXED AT MY EXPENSE. I OWN A 2000 VW JETTA.
NHTSA complaint #10164655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stockport, OH
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
I STARTED NOTICING A BURNING SMELL IN THE CAR WHEN I TURNED ON THE HEATED SEATS AND THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT WOULD GET VERY HOT, EVEN WHEN SET ON A LOW SETTING. ONE DAY I DECIDED TO TRY IT OUT TO SEE IF IT WAS WORKING PROPERLY OR NOT AND THE HEAT BURNT HOLES THROUGH THE MATERIAL COVERING THE SEAT .
NHTSA complaint #10149170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW York, NYFire
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
1) I'M NOT EXACTLY SURE WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED, SEE #2 AND YOU WILL UNDERSTAND WHY. 2) TODAY I FOUND THAT THERE WAS SOME KIND OF SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT. IT LEFT A PEA-SIZED BURN IN THE UPHOLSTERY. LUCKILY, I USE A SMALL DRIVING PILLOW FOR MY LOWER BACK WHICH BORE THE BRUNT OF THE FIRE INSTEAD OF MY BUTT. I HAD FOUND THE PILLOW WAS STUCK TO THE SEAT, AND WHEN I PULLED IT OFF THE BURN WAS REVEALED. THE PILLOW WAS DAMAGED. 3) I HAVE DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT THE FAILURE AS OF YET. I AM RESEARCHING MY OPTIONS TO DETERMINE IF THE MANUFACTURER WILL REPLACE IT FOR ME.
NHTSA complaint #10145557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Weston, FL
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
THERE IS A SPRING UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT OF MY 2000 VW JETTA THAT HAS BECOME DETATCHED AND FALLEN OFF. WHEN YOU ACCELERATE OR BRAKE, THE SEAT SHIFTS BACKWARDS OR FORWARDS. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL VW DEALER FOR SERVICE, THE TECHNICIAN, WITHOUT HESITATION, SAID THAT VW DOES NOT REPLACE THE SPRING, BUT HAS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SEAT AT A COST OF $500+ DOLLARS. HIS RAPID RESPONSE LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH VWS. I THINK IT IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION.
NHTSA complaint #10114564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,725 milesSelinsgrove, PA
SEATS
MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR FAILED AT LEAST 6 TIMES IN THE PAST 60,000 MILES, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. CONSUMER DISCUSSED THIS WITH VOLKSWAGEN, AND ASKED MANUFACTURER FOR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. HOWEVER, VOLKSWAGEN WAS NOT LISTENING. *AK THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT UP/DOWN LEVER SPRING BROKE. THE MICRO SWITCH FAILED AND AS A RESULT THE TRUNK LIGHT AND GAS LIGHT ON THE DASH WERE INOPERATIVE. THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #10074153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,000 milesHendersonville, TN
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER HAD A CIGARETTE SIZE BURN HOLE IN IT. WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER SMELLED A BURNING ODOR, WHICH BECAME STRONGER AS TIME PROGRESSED. ALSO, SMOKE CAME FROM THE SEAT. WHEN HEATER WAS TURNED OFF THE SMELL AND THE SMOKE CEASED. *AK VEHICLE WAS TAKEN AT THE DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #10055981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Springfield, OR
SEATS
CONSUMER NOTICED BROKEN SPRINGS UNDER DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEATS. AS A RESULT, WAS UNABLE TO RAISE PASSENGER'S SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #10042394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 81,000 milesColumbus, OH
SEATS
DRIVER SIDE SEAT FRAME HAS FRACTURED FOR SECOND TIME, FIRST TIME REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, AND THEY REFUSED TO ADDRESS THIS RECURRING PROBLEM. I AM CONCERNED AS TO WHAT WOULD OCCUR SHOULD THE INTACT SEAT FRAME PARTS FAIL. *PH *JB **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**768030
NHTSA complaint #10007446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Madison, WI
SEATS
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT CRADLE FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #562187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Aguadilla, PR
SEATS
DRIVER'S SEAT HAS DEFECTIVE ROLLERS, CAUSING SEAT TO MOVE BACK AND FORTH. CONSUMER HAS BEEN WAITING 3 MONTHS FOR NEW ROLLERS TO COME INTO DEALER. IN MEANTIME, CONSUMER IS DRIVING VEHICLE WITH AND UNSAFE SEAT. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #878994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.