NHTSA complaint: 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
DRIVING MY 2003 VW PASSAT I HAD THE SEAT WARMER ON. I SIMULTANEOUSLY SMELLED BURNING AND FELT BURNING IN MY BUTT. I TURNED OFF THE SEAT WARMER IMMEDIATELY. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY WIFE AND 7 YEAR OLD SON. WE WERE NEAR AN EXIT AND EXITED THE HIGHWAY. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE EXIT RAMP AND DISCOVERED THAT THE HEATING ELEMENT HAD BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT. THE HOLE WAS A BIT SMALLER THAN A DIME. THE SMELL WAS PUNGENT BUT CLEARED OUT WHEN WE OPENED THE WINDOW.*AK
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation