NHTSA complaint: 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
IN LATE JANUARY, THE HEATED SEAT ON MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT COVER. IT ALSO BURNED THROUGH MY PANTS AND GAVE ME A MINOR BURN. VOLKSWAGEN REPAIRED THE PROBLEM, BUT THE MECHANICS INFORMED ME THAT I WAS THE THIRD SUCH PROBLEM IN A 48 HOUR PERIOD. THE OTHER TWO CARS WERE JETTAS. ANOTHER MECHANIC SAID THAT THE HEATED SEATS RAN TOO HOT ON THE HIGHEST SETTING AND WEREN'T MEANT TO RUN ON SETTING 5 FOR TOO LONG. THE REPAIR DOCUMENTATION I RECEIVED FROM MY LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALER STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO FAULTY WIRING. I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND OUT FROM VOLKSWAGEN WHAT STEPS THEY PLAN TO TAKE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND I AM CONCERNED THAT SOMEONE ELSE MAY SUFFER A FAR MORE SERIOUS ISSUE IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED. I HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO VOLKSWAGEN, BUT THEY APPEAR UNCONCERNED. I HOPE THAT YOU WILL HAVE MORE LUCK THAN I HAVE.*AK
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation