# 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA — SEATS
> NHTSA complaint `694791` · 2008-11-02 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 1
- **Fire:** Yes
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** VOLKSWAGEN
- **Model:** JETTA
- **Year:** 2003
- **Manufacturer:** Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- **Component:** SEATS
- **Miles at failure:** 61,000
- **Speed:** 5 mph
## Narrative
I USE MY HEATED SEATS ALMOST DAILY IN THE WINTER MONTHS.  I USED IT THIS MORNING FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES AS I DROVE FROM HOME TO THE GYM, THEN ANOTHER 10 MINUTES AS I DROVE FROM THE GYM TO THE STORE.  WHEN I GOT INTO MY CAR AFTER THE STORE, IT WAS STILL ON THE SAME SETTING (5), I HAD DRIVEN ABOUT 50 YARDS IN THE PARKING LOT, WHEN I FELT A SHARP PAIN IN MY LEFT UPPER LEG/BUTT.  I MOVED SLIGHTLY, THEN BEGAN TO SMELL SMOKE.  I FELT AROUND WITH MY HAND AND FELT THE "HOT" WIRE AND THE HOLE IN MY SEAT.  IT TOOK ME A MOMENT TO REALIZE WHAT IT WAS, AND THEN I IMMEDIATELY TURNED DOWN THE HEATED SEAT TO OFF, THEREBY PREVENTING FURTHER DAMAGE AND PAIN.  LUCKILY THERE WAS LIMITED DAMAGE TO MY CLOTHING AND I WAS NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED, BUT HAD I BEEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, OR NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS CAUSING THE PAIN SO QUICKLY, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN MORE SEVERE CONSEQUENCES INCLUDING INJURY. *TR
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*