I WAS RIDING DOWN THE ROAD COMING FROM WORK WHEN I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. I DIDN'T SEE ANY SMOKE,SO I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE COMING FROM OUTSIDE. AFTER A WHILE, THE SMELL GOT STRONGER. THAT'S WHEN I LOOKED OVER AND NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SEAT. I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY AND SMOTHERED IT. IT TURNED OUT THAT THE HEATED SEAT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD BEEN ON FROM WHERE MY MOTHER WAS RIDING THE NIGHT BEFORE. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST ISSUE THAT I'VE HAD WITH MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA,BUT IT'S THE FIRST THAT MADE ME FEEL THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE A FOUR YEAR OLD SON AND I AM NOW IN FEAR THAT SOMETHING COULD POSSIBLY HAPPEN AGAIN. I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN THIS MODEL. I'VE REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO VWOA, BUT HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM THEM. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS INJURED. BUT SOMEONE ELSE MIGHT NOT BE SO LUCKY. I HOPE THIS ISSUE CAN BE RESOLVED. THANK YOU. *TR