MY SEAT HEATER FAILED IN MY 2003 VW JETTA, BURNING A HOLE IN THE SEAT UNDER MY LEFT [XXX]. I WAS STARTLED WHEN SUDDENLY THERE A STRONG BURNING SMELL IN THE CAR, THEN A HOT SPOT IN THE SEAT OCCURRED WHICH CAUSED ME TO HAVE TO QUICKLY SHIFT MY SEATING POSTING AND I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER. LUCKILY I WAS DRIVING SLO…
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MY SEAT HEATER FAILED IN MY 2003 VW JETTA, BURNING A HOLE IN THE SEAT UNDER MY LEFT [XXX]. I WAS STARTLED WHEN SUDDENLY THERE A STRONG BURNING SMELL IN THE CAR, THEN A HOT SPOT IN THE SEAT OCCURRED WHICH CAUSED ME TO HAVE TO QUICKLY SHIFT MY SEATING POSTING AND I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER. LUCKILY I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY IN THE CITY AND ABLE TO PULL IN THE IN A PARKING SPOT QUICKLY AND THE SEAT OR MY CLOTHING DID NOT CATCH ON FIRE. THE SEAT WAS SET TO 3 ON A SCALE OF 1-5. THE CAR HAS ABOUT 125K MILES ON IT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *LN
NHTSA ODI #10380923
56,493 miles · Dec 15, 2010
SeatsFireInjury
HEATED SEATS MELTED A HOLE IN THE LEATHER AND BURNED MY BUTT. VERY VERY HOT. IT SMELTED LIKE BURNT RUBBER AND SMOKE INSIDE THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10370723
110,000 miles · Dec 6, 2010
Electrical SystemSeats
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2003 VW JETTA. I WAS RECENTLY BURNED(11/2010) BY THE SEAT HEATER WHILE DRIVING AND THE CAR SEAT SMELLED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO START ON FIRE. MY CAR HAD A RECALL NOT LONG AFTER I BOUGHT IT FOR THE SEAT HEATERS. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A MALFUNCTION IN THE SEAT HEATER THAT VW HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH BASED ON THE …
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I AM THE OWNER OF A 2003 VW JETTA. I WAS RECENTLY BURNED(11/2010) BY THE SEAT HEATER WHILE DRIVING AND THE CAR SEAT SMELLED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO START ON FIRE. MY CAR HAD A RECALL NOT LONG AFTER I BOUGHT IT FOR THE SEAT HEATERS. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A MALFUNCTION IN THE SEAT HEATER THAT VW HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH BASED ON THE RECALL AND THE PLETHORA OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET. I CAN NO LONGER USE THE HEATING UNIT. I TOOK IT TO PATRICK MOTORS IN AUBURN, MA WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR. THEY SAID IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WOULD CHARGE ME TO LOOK AT IT TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND THEN MAYBE ASK VWOA IF THEY WOULD HELP. I WAS NOT WILLING TO PAY MORE MONEY FOR SOMETHING THAT IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM AND HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED AS PROBLEMATIC. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10369355
176,200 miles · Nov 21, 2010
SeatsFireInjury
2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA PASSENGER SIDE HEATED SEAT BECAME SO HOT, THAT THE LEATHER WAS BURNED, SMOLDERED AND BEGAN TO CATCH FIRE. SINCE I WAS SITTING ON THE SEAT AT THE TIME, IT ALSO BURNED MY PANTS AND MY SKIN AS WELL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10367012
Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 2010
SeatsInjury
DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER OVERHEATING, BURNT MULTIPLE HOLES IN SEAT AS WELL AS BURNT LEG. SETTING WAS PLACED ON 2 OF 5 WHEN SEAT WAS BURNT.
NHTSA ODI #10366092
40,000 miles · Oct 13, 2010
SeatsFire
MY CAR DRIVER SEAT IS BURNED WITH SOME SMOKE BECAUSE OF FAULTY SEAT HEATER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10360249
185,000 miles · Oct 7, 2010
Seats
OVERHEATED DRIVER SEAT, WHICH BURNED HOLE THROUGH DRIVER'S SEAT AND LEFT A 2" BURN MARK ON SWEATER THAT WAS IN CONTACT WITH THAT AREA OF THE SEAT. THIS IS A 2003 VW JETTA TDI (TURBO DIESEL). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10359555
75,000 miles · Apr 5, 2010
SeatsCrash
2003 JETTA SEAT FAILS IN REAR END ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10323720
88,200 miles · Jan 26, 2010
SeatsFire
RECALL FOR 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA- SEAT HEATER DEFECT CAUSING SEATS TO GET TOO HOT EVEN CAUSING FIRE IN SOME INSTANCES. BROUGHT MY JETTA TO RIVERSIDE VOLKSWAGEN IN RIVERSIDE, CA. INSPECTION AND REPAIRS MADE IN 2006. YESTERDAY, 1/25/2010, DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER STARTED TO BURN A HOLE IN SEAT. DID NOT BURN ALL THE WAY THROUG…
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RECALL FOR 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA- SEAT HEATER DEFECT CAUSING SEATS TO GET TOO HOT EVEN CAUSING FIRE IN SOME INSTANCES. BROUGHT MY JETTA TO RIVERSIDE VOLKSWAGEN IN RIVERSIDE, CA. INSPECTION AND REPAIRS MADE IN 2006. YESTERDAY, 1/25/2010, DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER STARTED TO BURN A HOLE IN SEAT. DID NOT BURN ALL THE WAY THROUGH AS I TURNED THE HEATER OFF BEFORE HAND. FELT SOMETHING THAT RESEMBLED A BEE STING BEFORE REALIZING THAT IT WAS THE SEAT HEATER THAT WAS MALFUNCTIONING. BURNING SMELL DETECTED. CALLED VW RIVERSIDE, SAID THAT IT WOULD NOT BE A COVERED FIX BASED ON RECALL INFO. COMPLAINT OF FAILED INITIAL REPAIR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10302302
89,000 miles · May 7, 2009
Air BagsSeatsCrash
I WAS IN A REAR END INCIDENT IN WHICH MY 2003VW JETTA WAS STRUCK ALMOST DEAD-ON IN THE REAR BY A 2009 BMW SEDAN. BOTH MY WIFE, SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, AND I, DRIVING, WERE WEARING THREE POINT SEAT BELTS. THE AIRBAGS IN OUR VEHICLE DID NOT DEPLOY. BOTH THE DRIVERS SEAT AND THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT WERE RECLINED ALM…
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I WAS IN A REAR END INCIDENT IN WHICH MY 2003VW JETTA WAS STRUCK ALMOST DEAD-ON IN THE REAR BY A 2009 BMW SEDAN. BOTH MY WIFE, SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, AND I, DRIVING, WERE WEARING THREE POINT SEAT BELTS. THE AIRBAGS IN OUR VEHICLE DID NOT DEPLOY. BOTH THE DRIVERS SEAT AND THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT WERE RECLINED ALMOST COMPLETELY AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT, TO THE POINT THAT ANY REAR SEAT PASSENGERS WE MIGHT HAVE HAD IN THE CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN PINNED BY THE RECLINED FRONT SEATS. *TR UPDATED 05/20/09 *BF UPDATED IVOQ 05/27/09.*JB
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2003 Volkswagen Passat sedan, Jetta, Jetta wagon, Golf, EuroVan, EuroVan Camper Van and EuroVan Chassis vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began May 2, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69X3.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2007, AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN SEVERAL STAGGERED MAILINGS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21, 2007. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
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DP05004 · Engine Stalling
Opened Aug 11, 2005 · Closed Dec 8, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:ignition:module
BY LETTER RECEIVED ON JUNE 24, 2005, MR. RONALD M. STRICKLAND OF RALEIGH, NC, SUBMITTED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE IGNITION COIL PLUGS ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, GOLF AND PASSAT SEDANS.THE PETITIONER ALLEGES THAT HE HAD EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE STALLING EVENTS AS A RESULT OF ONE OR MORE IGNITION COIL PLUGS MALFUNCTIONING ON HIS 2002 VW JETTA SEDAN.AS A RESULT OF THE ENGINE STALLING, THE PETITIONER EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND INCREASED BRAKING EFFORTS WHEN HE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE.AFTER A FEW MINUTES PARKED ON THE SHOULDER HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE OPERATED AT REDUCED POWER.VW ISSUED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN (CSC) ON JANUARY 31, 2003 TO INSTRUCT THEIR DEALERSHIPS TO INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR ANY MALFUNCTIONING IGNITION COIL PACKS AND TO REPLACE THEM AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER.CONSUMERS WERE NOTIFIED TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERSHIPS VIA OWNER LETTERS MAILED OUT ON JUNE 6, 2003.WHILE VW INITIALLY INSTRUCTED THE DEALERSHIPS TO ONLY REPLACE THE MALFUNCTIONING IGNITION COIL PACKS, A REVISED CSC WAS ISSUED TO DEALERSHIPS IN DECEMBER 2003 AND JANUARY 2004, INSTRUCTING DEALERSHIPS TO REPLACE ALL IGNITION COIL PACKS REGARDLESS OF THEIR PERFORMANCE.A REMINDER TO THE DEALERSHIPS WAS SENT BY VW ON APRIL OF 2004.ALTHOUGH THE CONCERNS OF THE PETITIONER COULD THEORETICALLY CREATE A SAFETY PROBLEM, THE RISK IS VERY SMALL, DUE TO THE ENGINE STILL RUNNING ON EITHER 3, 5, OR 7 CYLINDERS.THERE ARE NO REPORTED CRASHES OR INJURIES DUE TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.ONCE DRIVERS ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM (LOSS OF POWER DUE TO ONE OF THE IGNITION COIL PACKS MALFUNCTIONING), DRIVERS ARE ABLE TO TAKE PRECAUTIONARY AND COMPENSATORY MEASURES AND STILL MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THEIR VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, FOUR FIRES WERE REPORTED TO ODI.THESE WERE IGNITION COIL BURNOUTS WITH NO ADDITIONAL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND WERE LOCALIZED ON TOP OF THE ENGINE. DURING THE LAST 24 MONTHS THE NUMBER OF STALL AND DRIVABILITY COMPLAINTS REPORTED TO ODI HAS GREATLY DIMINISHED FROM A PEAK OF 195 IN JANUARY OF 2003 TO ONLY 3 IN AUGUST OF 2005.THIS COINCIDES WITH THE CSC RELEASED BY VW.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
PE04081 · Inadvertent SIDE-AIRBAG Deployment
Opened Dec 16, 2004 · Closed Apr 1, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:side/window
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH SIDE-THORAX AND SIDE-HEAD CURTAIN AIRBAGS TO PROTECT THE FRONT AND REAR OUTBOARD OCCUPANTS IN A SIDE-IMPACT CRASH.THIS INVESTIGATION IDENTIFIED A TOTAL OF 499 REPORTS (482 OWNERS REPORTS AND 17 WARRANTY CLAIMS).THE CRASH SENSING SYSTEM?S ALGORITHM MAY RECOGNIZE CERTAIN NON-CRASH IMPACTS (WHEEL, TIRE AND UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS) AS DEPLOYABLE EVENTS.THE 97 ALLEGED INJURIES WERE MINOR IN NATURE AND CONSIST OF ABRASIONS, BRUISES, EAR RINGING AND HEADACHES.THERE WAS NO ALLEGED LOSS OF CONTROL CRASH AS A RESULT OF SIDE-AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.ODI ALSO OBTAINED COUNTS OF ALLEGED INADVERTENT SIDE-AIRBAG DEPLOYMENTS FROM PEER MANUFACTURERS.THE DATA SHOWS THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE NOT UNIQUE IN BEING SUBJECT TO SUCH ALLEGATIONS.THE COMPLAINT RATE FOR NON-SUBJECT INDIVIDUAL MODEL VEHICLES VARIES WIDELY.THE RATE FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS COMPARABLE TO THREE PEER MODELS, EACH WITH COMPACT CHASSIS/WHEELBASES.ODI HAS NOT IDENTIFIED ANY COMPONENT FAILURE OR MANUFACTURING TREND THAT MAY RELATE TO A COMPONENT OR MANUFACTURING ISSUE.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
EA04010 · Driver Side Front Seat Overheats
Opened Mar 30, 2004 · Closed Oct 21, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
THIS INVESTIGATION CONCERNS THE ELECTRIC SEAT HEATER INSTALLED IN SOME MY 2002-2003 VOLKSWAGEN (VW) JETTA VEHICLES.CONSUMERS ALLEGE THAT THE SEAT HEATER MAY OVERHEAT, RESULTING IN BURN DAMAGE TO THE SEAT COVER AND TO THE DRIVER'S CLOTHING AND/OR SKIN.THIS EA ADDRESSES WHETHER SUCH FAILURES MAY POSE A RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY.ODI CONCLUDES THAT THE DRIVER-SIDE SEAT HEATER MAY FAIL OR MALFUNCTION DUE TO NORMAL VEHICLE USE, (I.E., DRIVER INGRESS AND EGRESS FROM THE VEHICLE).THE INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THAT SUCH FAILURES DO NOT POSE A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF INJURY OR FIRE.ODI BELIEVES THAT FURTHER INVESTIGATION WOULD NOT LIKELY IDENTIFY A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND.THEREFORE, THIS EA HAS BEEN CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.THE ATTACHED SUMMARY REPORT PROVIDES FURTHER DETAIL CONCERNING THIS EA.
PE03052 · Driver Seat Overheats/burns
Opened Nov 19, 2003 · Closed Mar 30, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL ELECTRICALLY HEATED DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEATS.INFORMATION RECEIVED DURING PE03-052 DISCLOSED A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF INCIDENTS OF MALFUNCTIONING/OVERHEATING OF THE DRIVER SEAT HEATER IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ADDITIONAL INCIDENTS MAY OCCUR DURING THE FINAL MONTHS OF THE WINTER SEASON.THIS MATTER IS ALSO CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED BY TRANSPORT CANADA.THIS PE HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA04-010)IN ORDER TO FULLY INVESTIGATE THESE OCCURRENCES AND THEIR SAFETY IMPLICATIONS.
2003 Volkswagen Jetta Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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