Approximately 2 minutes after turning on driver's side seat heater, noticed burning smell, followed shortly thereafter by heat sensation on my left thigh. Immediately turned heater off, pulled car off road, and got out. Found dime sized burn pattern in leather seat. Searched NHTSA website the next day and found that this is a common problem on 2002 Jettas. Called dealer to schedule a repair appointment.

- Hermosa Beach, CA, USA

Seat heater on 2002 Jetta 1.8T overheated creating hole in driver's seat. Hile driving normally the witht he seat heater in position 1 ( lowest - highest is 5) seat got too hot to the point felt as though would burn. There was no fire or smoke but little burning smell. Car was sent to ardmore VW for service and they tested seat heater. Got call from sa that the seat heater was gone and that it burnt through the seat cover.

- Bala Cynwdy, PA, USA

My car, a 2002 Volkswagen Jetta was parked and running and the driver seat caught on fire for no apparent reason due to most likely the heating element in the seat. I am filing this complaint because if I was in the car I may have been injured or killed due to the defect. I just want someone to know so that other people are safe in the future.

- Novi, MI, USA

Heater in the driver's seat burned through the seat and driver's coat while driving.

- Wilmington, MA, USA

The front passenger side seat heater burned a hole in the seat.. the driver's side heated seat caught on fire while driving.

- Tisbury, MA, USA

Our 2002 Volkswagen Jetta tdi had sparks coming from the drivers side seat heater that burned two holes in the seat.

- Denver, CO, USA

Upon turning on the seat heater, the driver's side seat caught fire, burning through the seat cloth, foam, and driver's clothing.

- Mahopac, NY, USA

1 & 2. my 2002 VW Jetta's driver side heated seat started on fire. I noticed the fire when I felt a burning sensation as my pants were catching fire. I immediately turned the seat off & pulled over. The seat had a dime to quarter size burn hole in it and if I turned the heated seat back on I could see the wire arcing.3. the Volkswagen dealer replaced the seat 5 days later.

- Longmont, CO, USA

Volkswagen 2002 Jetta faulty seat warmers. On the morning of Oct 11, 2004 I turned the seat warmer on to setting number 2. roughly 1-2 minutes later while driving down the road it began to smell like something was burning. I felt a burning on my leg and began to see smoke. I immediately pulled over and got out of the car. There was a dime size hole in the seat where the seat had burned through. There was also a burn on my pants from where the seat had melted to my pants. There was also a red mark on my skin. I have contacted the company and they have agreed to see the car and possibly replace the parts. My biggest concern was that could have caused large fire or a serious burn to myself.

- Louisville, KY, USA

Driver's seat heater was overheating and burning through the seat cover. Dealer was contacted.

- Brandon, SD, USA

Vehicle was equipped with an asr light and when driving on a smooth road the asr light will come on, and the vehicle will down shift. Took vehicle to the dealer, and was told that after examining the vehicle there was nothing they could do. They were completely baffled, cleared out the codes, and replaced the brake light modules, but were unable to solve the transmission problem. Also, heated seats overheated. Consumer wa S furious.

- Wells River, VT, USA

A fire started under the driver side of the vehicle while driving at 40 mph. Vehicle was taken to the dealer.

- Mansfield, OH, USA

While driving our 2002 volkwagen Jetta, my wife set the seat warmer to "5" (the highest level). She said that she "smelled something funny, " and then received a minor burn on her left leg. Corrective action was to turn the seat heater to "0" (off). No parts have been replaced pending a response for service from Volkswagen of America, Inc.

- Columbus, OH, USA

Driver seat caught on fire.

- Rockwall, TX, USA

Heated seat malfunction oned a 2002.5 VW Jetta. Heating element burned a hole through the fabric on the seat. Also. Burning the pants that I was wearing. Nothing has been done to fix the problem I was told that the parts are on backorder. This also happened March 15, 2003.

- Mentor, OH, USA

My seat warmers burnt me and the leather in my car leaving a clearly visible burn mark in the leather.

- Farmington, UT, USA

Heated seat over heated and started to burn a hole through the seat. Only was prevented from burning leg due to the fact I had shorts on and layered windpants over the shorts - I.e. 3 layers of clothes.

- Belfast, ME, USA

While driving with seat heater on consumer noticed that seat got hot, causing the driver's bottom to burn. The seat smoked, and burnt holes in the driver's jacket and pants. Vehicle filled with smoke.

- Dearborn Heights, MI, USA

The seat material on the driver's seat, burned through, melting the seatS material and creating a 1-inch X inch wide hole. The hole left exposed the electrical wires under the material that caused the driver to feel a sudden electrical shock. Furthermore, the electrical shock combined with the hot melting material felt through the jeans, caused the driver to suddenly and unsafely veers off the road. The hot melted material also caused some minor burning on the hand (finger) of the driver. The VW built in seat-heater was on position 4.

- Portland, OR, USA

On my 2002 volkwagen Jetta 1.8T, my seatwarmer ignited and burned through both my seat and the coat I was wearing at the time, leaving holes in both. Ncident date is approximate. I immediately called the dealership after it happened and thus, they may have the exact date on record.

- Kansas City, MO, USA