# 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT — SEATS
> NHTSA complaint `965705` · 2013-02-28 · 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:** PASSAT
- **Year:** 2004
- **Manufacturer:** Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- **Component:** SEATS
- **Miles at failure:** 101,938
- **Speed:** 10 mph
## Narrative
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAUGHT FIRE CAUSING A HOLE TO BE BURNT THROUGH THE LEATHER SEATS CAUSED SCORCHING TO PANTS AND A MINOR BURN TO THE BUTTOCKS. A MODERATE AMOUNT OF SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE BURNING SEAT AND FILLED THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE SEAT WARMER, PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER, AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE.  THE SEAT CONTINUED TO SMOKE PROFUSELY; I SMOTHERED THE FIRE AND CONTACTED MY LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP ADVISED ME TO CONTACT VW OF AMERICA; THE ENTIRE PROCESS HAS BEEN A COMPLETE HASSLE AND I AM NOW WITHOUT A VEHICLE WHILE VW OF AMERICA "INVESTIGATES" THE ISSUE. MY TWO YOUNG CHILDREN AND I WERE IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME; THEY BECAME EXTREMELY UPSET AND SCARED. FORTUNATELY, THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED PRIOR TO MY GETTING ON THE FREEWAY (I COMMUTE 45 MINUTES EACH WAY FOR SCHOOL). HAD MY SEAT CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC I DON'T KNOW THAT I WOULD BE ALIVE TO WRITE THIS COMPLAINT. WORDS CANNOT DESCRIBE THE SURPRISE AND PANIC I FELT WHEN THE SEAT BEGAN TO BURN ME; TO CALL THIS A SAFETY HAZARD WOULD BE A GROSS UNDERSTATEMENT.  THIS MALFUNCTION/DEFECT IS ONE THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE GREAT BODILY HARM AND/OR DEATH SHOULD IT HAPPEN UNDER THE ABOVE STATED CIRCUMSTANCES (HIGHWAY DRIVING, HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AND HEAVY TRAFFIC). IT IS MY OPINION THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE MADE TO PROTECT ADDITIONAL CONSUMERS FROM THIS HAZARD.   I AM EXTREMELY UPSET WITH VW AND THE SEEMINGLY C
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*