# 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA — SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
> **FATAL** · NHTSA complaint `513931` · 2004-12-27 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 1
- **Injured:** 1
- **Fire:** Yes
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** Yes
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** VOLKSWAGEN
- **Model:** JETTA
- **Year:** 2003
- **Manufacturer:** Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- **Component:** SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
- **Miles at failure:** 28,000
- **Speed:** 70 mph
## Narrative
THIS CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRIC SEAT HEATERS. AFTER DRIVING THIS VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES, THE DRIVER SEAT HEATER BURNT THROUGH THE SEAT, BURNING MY BUTT. THE SEAT QUIT BURNING AFTER TURNING THE HEATER OFF. I HAVE SPOKE TO TWO VW DEALERS AND VW DIRECTLY AND IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT BY ANY MEANS.*AK
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*