# 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA — SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
> NHTSA complaint `529513` · 2005-04-05 · 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:** 46,000
- **Speed:** 45 mph
## Narrative
THIS MORNING, 4/5/05, I TURNED ON MY HEATED LEATHER SEATS IN MY 2003 JETTA GLS AND IN A MATTER OF ABOUT A MINUTE, I FELT SOMETHING EXTREMELY HOT ON MY LEG.  I IMMEDIATELY LIFTED MYSELF UP FROM THE  SEAT BUT IT WAS TOO LATE.  I LOOKED DOWN AND THERE WAS A HOLE BURNT INTO MY LEATHER SEAT, SMOKE COMING FROM THE SEAT AND A BURN IN MY PANTS...NOT TO MENTION MY SKIN.  WHAT I FIND DISTURBING IS NOT THAT IT HAPPENED BUT THE FACT THAT I TOOK MY CAR IN LAST THURSDAY AND WAS NOT TOLD ABOUT THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH A RECALL HAD ALREADY BEEN ISSUED.  IF VW HAD BEEN PROACTIVE, I WOULD NOT HAVE HAD THIS INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.*AK
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*