# 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
> NHTSA complaint `560183` · 2005-10-26 · 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:** 25,000
## Narrative
WHILE DRIVING, I TURNED ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT WARMER TO POSITION 5, WITHIN 1 MINUTE, I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, SMOKE WAS RISING FROM MY SEAT, I FELT  A HOT BURNING SENSATION UNDER MY LEFT UPPER THIGH AND REALIZED THE SEAT WARMER WAS ON FIRE.  I STOPPED THE CAR, TURNED OFF THE SEAT WARMER.  THE SEAT WARMER BURNED THROUGH MY LEATHER SEAT AND LEFT DAMAGE ABOUT THE SIZE OF A QUARTER.  CONTACTED LOCAL VW DEALER (MARTENS VOLKSWAGEN, BETHESDA, MD) WAS ASKED TO BRING CAR IN IMMEDIATELY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CHECKED, SEAT WARMER DISCONNECTED, DRIVER'S SEAT WILL BE REPLACED.  *JB
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*