# 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
> NHTSA complaint `598719` · 2006-10-07 · 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:** 42,981
- **Speed:** 5 mph
## Narrative
I TURNED ON THE DRIVER'S HEATED SEATS WHEN I FELT THEM HOTTER THAN USUAL, SECONDS LATER I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND THEN I SAW SMOKE COMING UP FROM THE LEFT SIDE BY MY SEAT. I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR AND FOUND FLAMES VISIBLE COMING FROM INSIDE THE SEAT. I  PUT THE FIRE OUT. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO FIX IT. *NM
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*