# 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
> NHTSA complaint `527778` · 2005-03-24 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 1
- **Fire:** No
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** VOLKSWAGEN
- **Model:** PASSAT
- **Year:** 2004
- **Manufacturer:** Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- **Component:** SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
- **Miles at failure:** 47,000
- **Speed:** 65 mph
## Narrative
AN INCIDENT OCCURED TODAY, MARCH 24TH, 2004 WHERE THE SEAT HEATER IN MY 2004 VW PASSAT BURNED THROUGH MY SEAT.  I NOTICED IT WAS HOT AND TURNED IT OFF, AND THEN SMELT A BURING SMELL.  WHEN I GOT TO WORK I SAW THE SMALL BURN HOLE IN MY SEAT, WHICH LOOKED LIKE A CIGARETTE BURN.  AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER THEY SAID THAT IF IT HAPPENS ON THE PASSENGER SEAT AFTER MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED THAT I WOULD BE LIABLE FOR THE COST OF THE REPLACEMENT SEAT.  WHILE MY CLOTHES WERE NOT BURNED, MY SKIN DID HAVE A SUNBURN LIKE BURN IN THAT AREA.
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*