# 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
> NHTSA complaint `503019` · 2004-10-22 · 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:** 61,000
- **Speed:** 65 mph
## Narrative
I AM A SCHOOL TEACHER AND WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK ON TUESDAY OCTOBER 19, 2004  AT APPROXIMATELY 7:30 A.M.  I WAS SMELLING A STRONG SMOKE ODOR AS I STARTED DRIVING AND AS I CONTINUED TO DRIVE I LOOKED OVER TO MY PASSENGER SEAT AND THERE WAS SMOKE SMOLDERING THROUGH THE SEAT.  AS I NOTICED THIS HAPPENING TO THE CAR, I TURNED OFF THE PASSENGER HEATED SEAT (AND THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS IN IT).  NO ONE WAS INJURED!  WITHIN MINUTES MY CAR STALLED ON A MAJOR EXPRESSWAY AND I WAS STRANDED.  NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE YET WITH MY VEHICLE.  I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR ALMOST TWO ENTIRE WEEKS.  IT'S VERY UNFAIR THAT A VEHICLE UNDER TWO YEARS HAS FAILED IN THIS WAY.   THIS SITUATION WAS VERY UNSAFE.  NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO PROVIDE COMPLETE COVERAGE OF MY CAR.  I'M WAITING TO HEAR FROM VOLKSWAGEN.  *AK
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*