SEAT HEATER IN 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SHORTED OUT CAUSING SMALL HOLE TO BURN IN LEATHER SEAT AND INFLICTING MINOR PINPOINTED BURN TO DRIVER WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. SEAT HEAT TURNED OFF RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. TO DATE THE PARTS FOR REPAIR ARE NOT AVAILABLE. CONDITION IS STILL ACTIVE IF SWITCH IS TURNED ON.*A…
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SEAT HEATER IN 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SHORTED OUT CAUSING SMALL HOLE TO BURN IN LEATHER SEAT AND INFLICTING MINOR PINPOINTED BURN TO DRIVER WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. SEAT HEAT TURNED OFF RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIR. TO DATE THE PARTS FOR REPAIR ARE NOT AVAILABLE. CONDITION IS STILL ACTIVE IF SWITCH IS TURNED ON.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10112500
58,000 miles · Feb 28, 2005
SeatsInjury
FAILURE IN THE DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT ELEMENT RESULTED IN A SMOKING HOLE BURNT THROUGH THE SEAT LEATHER. THE INCIDENT RESULTED IN A SMALL BURN TO THE PASSENGER.
NHTSA ODI #10112324
34,000 miles · Feb 16, 2005
SeatsFire
WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER'S SEAT CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR. *JB *NM
NHTSA ODI #10108876
37,490 miles · Feb 8, 2005
SeatsFireInjury
IN DECEMBER OF 04 THE DRIVERS SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE IN MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLX. I HAD THE HEATED SEAT ON WHEN I NOTICED THE SEAT WAS GETTING EXTREMLY HOT AND STARTED SMOKING. I WAS ON A BUSY FOUR LANE ROAD AND UNABLE TO PULL OVER AT THE TIME. ONCE I DID PULL OVER I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR TO SURVEY THE DAMAGE. I HAD MANAGE…
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IN DECEMBER OF 04 THE DRIVERS SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE IN MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLX. I HAD THE HEATED SEAT ON WHEN I NOTICED THE SEAT WAS GETTING EXTREMLY HOT AND STARTED SMOKING. I WAS ON A BUSY FOUR LANE ROAD AND UNABLE TO PULL OVER AT THE TIME. ONCE I DID PULL OVER I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR TO SURVEY THE DAMAGE. I HAD MANAGED TO BURN THE TIPS OF MY FINGERS AND MY "REAR END". VW REPLACED THE SEAT UNDER WARRANTY AFTER I WAITED ALMOST A MONTH FOR THE SEAT TO COME IN. NEEDLESS TO SAY I WAS VERY IRATE AT THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR THAT "I WAS OVER REACTING". I CALLED VWOA AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM BUT THEY TOO DID NOT SEEM CONCERNED. I DID MY OWN LITTLE RESEARCH AND WAS ABLE TO COME UP WITH A COUPLE HUNDRED OTHER CASES OF SEATS CATCHING ON FIRE IN VOLKSWAGENS. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND VOLKWAGEN DOESNT SEEM TO CARE, SOMEONE CAN GET SERIOUSLY INJURED IF NOT KILLED BY THIS PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10110126
Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 2005
Seats
SEAT HEATER ON DRIVER'S SIDE BECAME VERY HOT IN ONE SPOT, STARTED TO SMELL AND SMOKE AND BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT MATERIAL, MY JACKET AND TO MY LEG (NO BURN TO SKIN NOTED).*AK
NHTSA ODI #10108201
Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2005
SeatsFire
MY JETTA'S SEAT HEATER HAS SHORTED OUT AND BURNED THROUGH THE COVER. VOLKSWAGENS REPLY IS THAT THERE ARE NO REPLACEMENTS SEAT COVERS ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY, AND THAT THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THEY WILL GET SOME. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THEM REGULARLY SINCE MID-DECEMBER, AND THE HOLE WITH EXPOSED ELECTRICAL WIRING HAS BEEN TH…
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MY JETTA'S SEAT HEATER HAS SHORTED OUT AND BURNED THROUGH THE COVER. VOLKSWAGENS REPLY IS THAT THERE ARE NO REPLACEMENTS SEAT COVERS ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY, AND THAT THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THEY WILL GET SOME. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THEM REGULARLY SINCE MID-DECEMBER, AND THE HOLE WITH EXPOSED ELECTRICAL WIRING HAS BEEN THERE SINCE THEN. THE ONLY RESPONSE THAT VW GIVES, WHEN TOLD ABOUT SMOKE AND SPARKS SHOOTING THROUGH THE HOLE BURNED IN THEIR SEAT, IS TO SHUT IT OFF; THE SMOKE SHOULD STOP. THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN NEW SEATS COVERS WILL ARRIVE, BUT CLAIM THAT EVENTUALLY THERE WILL BE . THE VEHICLE IS LEASED AND UNDER WARRANTY. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10107848
26,500 miles · Jan 18, 2005
SeatsInjury
ON MONDAY MORNING I NOTICED THAT MY SEAT WARMER WAS BURNING THE LEFT SIDE OF MY BUTT. I DIDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING AT THAT TIME. ON TUESDAY MORNING, MY SEAT WAS SMOKING AND IT BURNED A WHOLE IN MY LEATHER. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD SEEN A COUPLE OF THESE INCIDENTS. SAID I WOULD NEED TO BRING MY CAR IN AND…
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ON MONDAY MORNING I NOTICED THAT MY SEAT WARMER WAS BURNING THE LEFT SIDE OF MY BUTT. I DIDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING AT THAT TIME. ON TUESDAY MORNING, MY SEAT WAS SMOKING AND IT BURNED A WHOLE IN MY LEATHER. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD SEEN A COUPLE OF THESE INCIDENTS. SAID I WOULD NEED TO BRING MY CAR IN AND LEAVE IT OR WAIT 45+ MINUTES FOR THEM TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT. I COMPLAINED THAT I CAN'T MISS WORK, AND I NEED A CAR THAT I CAN RELY ON TO GET ME BACK AND FORTH. I ASKED FOR A LOANER FOR THE DAY, TO WHICH THEY RESPONDED NO. AT THIS TIME, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE, AND I AM STILL DRIVING WITH A DEFECTIVE SEAT WARMER. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10106565
36,400 miles · Jan 17, 2005
SeatsFireInjury
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER MALFUNCTIONED WILE SET TO LEVEL (2) TWO. RESULTS WERE BURN HOLE TO SEAT, SMOKE ERUPTING FORM SEAT, BURN TO DRIVER?S JEANS, PAIN AND DISCOMFORT TO DRIVER THIS WAS DURING NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION ON PUBLIC STREETS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10106496
Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2005
SeatsFireInjury
PASSENGER SIDE SEAT HEATER MALFUNCTIONED. SEAT HEATER TURNED ON TO LEVEL 3. PASSENGER AND DRIVER NOTICED SMELL OF SOMETHING BURNING, THEN PASSENGER FELT PAIN UNDER LEFT THIGH. TURNED SEAT HEATER OFF. WHEN STOPPED, EXAMINED SEAT TO DISCOVER BROWN HOLE IN SEAT WHERE HEATER HAD BURNED THROUGH. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE YET. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10106441
Mileage unknown · Dec 27, 2004
SeatsFire
CONSUMER NOTICED THAT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER BECAME EXTREMELY HOT, BURNING THE PLASTIC OF THE SEAT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
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
4
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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