# 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
> NHTSA complaint `535711` · 2005-05-19 · 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:** 36,000
- **Speed:** 40 mph
## Narrative
I TURNED ON MY SEAT HEATER ONE MORNING, I SMELLED SMOKE AND THE LEATHER SEAT WAS SMOKING.  THE SEAT HEATER MALFUNTIONED AND ALMOST BURNT ME AS WELL.  I PULLED OVER AND IT BURNT A HOLE COMPLETELY THROUGH MY LEATHER SEAT!!!
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*