AFTER STARTING MY 2004 VW PASSAT WITH THE HEATED SEAT TURNED TO 2 (ON A 1-5 DIAL) I STARTED TO SMELL A BURNING SMELL ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 30 SECONDS I STARTED TO FEEL A SHARP PAIN IN THE BOTTOM OF MY UPPER LEG. AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 45 MORE SECONDS SMOKE STARTED TO SURROUND ME COMING UP FROM THE SEAT. AT THIS POINT I PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND GOT OUT. I COULD SEE A SPOT ON MY SEAT SMOLDERING AND SMOKING. I TURNED OFF MY HEATED SEAT AND THE SMOKING STOPPED AND THE SEAT COOLED OFF IN ABOUT ANOTHER 1-2 MINUTES. THERE REMAINED A HOLE RESEMBLING A CIGARETTE BURN AND THE UPHOLSTERY AROUND IT WAS MELTED. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD NOT TO USE THE HEATED SEAT ON EITHER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT WOULD NOT BE FIXED AND THAT THERE WAS NO GUARANTEE THAT THIS WOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. *NM