# 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
> NHTSA complaint `520138` · 2005-02-04 · 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:** 47,500
## Narrative
SEAT CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO HEATING ELEMENT INSIDE SEAT.  MY WIFE WAS IN THE CAR WHEN I LEFT TO GO TO AN ATM AND SHE SWATTED OUT THE FLAME COMING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT.  THE SEAT HEATER WAS LEFT ON POSITION 3 OF 5 FOR LESS THAN 5 MINUTES WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.  *JB
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*