# 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA — SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
> NHTSA complaint `520734` · 2005-02-08 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **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:** 37,490
- **Speed:** 25 mph
## Narrative
IN DECEMBER OF 04 THE DRIVERS SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE IN MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLX.  I HAD THE HEATED SEAT ON WHEN I NOTICED THE SEAT WAS GETTING EXTREMLY HOT  AND STARTED SMOKING.  I WAS ON A BUSY FOUR LANE ROAD AND UNABLE TO PULL OVER AT THE TIME.  ONCE I DID PULL OVER I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR TO SURVEY THE DAMAGE.  I HAD MANAGED TO BURN THE TIPS OF MY FINGERS AND MY "REAR END".  VW REPLACED THE SEAT UNDER WARRANTY AFTER I WAITED ALMOST A MONTH FOR THE SEAT TO COME IN.  NEEDLESS TO SAY I WAS VERY IRATE AT THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR THAT "I WAS OVER REACTING".  I CALLED VWOA AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM BUT THEY TOO DID NOT SEEM CONCERNED.  I DID MY OWN LITTLE RESEARCH AND WAS ABLE TO COME UP WITH A COUPLE HUNDRED OTHER CASES OF SEATS CATCHING ON FIRE IN VOLKSWAGENS.  THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND VOLKWAGEN DOESNT SEEM TO CARE, SOMEONE CAN GET SERIOUSLY INJURED IF NOT KILLED BY THIS PROBLEM.*AK
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*