2002 Volkswagen Jetta seat problems

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

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.

NHTSA complaint #10936295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10694574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10551770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10489223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10453451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10448848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10440242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10313579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10295223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

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.

NHTSA complaint #10276549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10259786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10235665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

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.

NHTSA complaint #10235665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

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.

NHTSA complaint #10222478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

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

NHTSA complaint #10207608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

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.

NHTSA complaint #10174609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

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.

NHTSA complaint #10171863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

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?

NHTSA complaint #10158901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

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.

NHTSA complaint #10139133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

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.

NHTSA complaint #10125101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

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.

NHTSA complaint #10118773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.