# 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
> NHTSA complaint `456261` · 2004-02-23 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** Yes
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** Yes
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** VOLKSWAGEN
- **Model:** PASSAT
- **Year:** 2003
- **Manufacturer:** Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- **Component:** SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
- **Miles at failure:** 17,000
- **Speed:** 25 mph
## Narrative
DRIVING MY 2003 PASSAT FOR 1-2 MINUTES, I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING.  I NOTICED THAT THE SEAT WAS GETTING EXTREMELY WARM.  I CHECKED THE SEAT HEATER SETTING, IT WAS ON 1 (OF 5).  I TURNED THE SWITCH OFF, BUT CONTINUED TO SMELL THE BURNING SMELL AND FEEL THE HEAT.  I PULLED OVER AND NOTICED A HOLE IN THE DRIVER SEAT AND DISCOVERED THAT THE HEAT HAD BURNED A HOLE THROUGH MY PANTS AS WELL.  THE CAR WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER AND PARTS WERE ORDERED TO REPLACE THE ELEMENT AND SEAT COVER.  I ALSO REPORTED THE FAILURE TO VWOA.*AK
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*