# 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
> NHTSA complaint `551863` · 2005-08-29 · 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:** 2003
- **Manufacturer:** Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- **Component:** SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
- **Miles at failure:** 64,900
- **Speed:** 20 mph
## Narrative
ON A COOL NIGHT ABOUT A WEEK AGO, I TURNED ON THE HEATING ELEMENT IN MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLS 1.8T (DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT).  AFTER ABOUT 30 SECONDS I FELT A SHARP BURNING SENSATION IN MY LEFT THIGH, AND SMELLED A BURNING SMELL.  I STOPPED THE CAR, SHUT OFF THE SEAT HEATER, AND WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR I NOTICED A SMALL BURNED HOLE IN THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT BASE.  THE HEATING ELEMENT BURNED THROUGH, DAMAGING THE SEAT (AND BURNING MY THIGH).  THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY VW BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT!  I AM MAKING ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED (INCLUDING A FULL SEAT REPLACEMENT TO FIX THE DAMAGED !).  *JB
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*