# 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
> NHTSA complaint `475675` · 2004-05-17 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** Yes
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** No
- **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:** 15,700
- **Speed:** 25 mph
## Narrative
IT WAS CHILLY THE EVENING OF MAY 15, 2004.  I STARTED THE CAR, TURNED THE SEAT HEATER CONTROL FROM 0 TO 5, AND DROVE ABOUT 5 MINUTES FROM MY BROTHER'S HOUSE TO A HOTEL.  WHEN I TURNED OFF THE CAR I FORGOT TO TURN DOWN THE SEAT HEATER CONTROL.  IT REMAINED AT 5.  THE NEXT DAY (MAY 16), I MADE A SERIES OF 4 SHORT TRIPS WITH THE CAR.  EACH TRIP WAS ABOUT 5 TO 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING.  ON THE 5TH TRIP, I STARTED THE CAR.  AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 1 BLOCK, I NOTICED AN ODD SMELL.  AFTER DRIVING 1 MORE BLOCK, I DEFINITELY SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, AND I FELT LIKE I WAS SITTING ON A HOT COAL.  WHEN I LOOKED DOWN I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE SAME AREA -- MY PANTS WERE SMOLDERING!  I STOPPED THE CAR AND GOT OUT.  THERE WAS A HOLE BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT.  THE AREA WAS STILL SMOKING.  MY JEANS WERE SCORCHED.  I TURNED THE SEAT HEATER CONTROL FROM 5 TO 0 AND LET THE CAR SIT FOR AWHILE TO MAKE SURE THE CAR DID NOT CATCH ON FIRE.  ON MAY 17, I CALLED THE DEALER.  I EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED AND MADE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.  THE APPOINTMENT IS SCHEDULED FOR MAY 22. *AK
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*