(1) driving on ih-35, seat started burning and smoke filled the car, seat heater had burned through the seat.

- Austin, TX, USA

The consumer stated the seat warmer caused the seat to catch on fire when the vehicle was being warmed up.

- Leverett, MA, USA

The heater on driver seat overheated and burned a hole through driver's seat, and it also caught on fire. Consumer was able to extinguish the fire with his hand. Dealer and manufacturer were not notified.

- Kirkwood, MO, USA

While driving consumer turned on the seat heater and seat burned through completely; burning consumers buttocks and hand. Contacted the dealer.

- Trenton, NJ, USA

2003 VW Jetta front passenger heating element (heated seats) failure; fire burned through seat fabric.

- Wilton, CT, USA

Consumer was driving to work when suddenly the passenger felt heat coming from the driver's seat. The seat started to burn. Conumer exited the vehicle, and it was towed.

- Tampa, FL, USA

While driving 10 mph heater in the driver seat caught on fire and burned through the driver's seat. Consumer extinguished the fire with her hand. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, who ordered a new seat.

- Frederick, MD, USA

I was driving down the road and had just cut on my heated seats in my 2003 volkswagon Jetta and noticed that my seat was getting very hot on the left hand side. I could not figure it out and could not see B/C it was dark. I started filling around in my seat and felt a whole and it burned my finger. I had no idea what it was. I started smelling smoke and so I turned on my light in my car and pulled over immediately. My seat started smoking out of the whole. I tried to see closer what was going on and noticed sparks coming out of the whole. The only thing I could think of at that moment was my heated seats. I turned them off and the sparks went away. I now have a whole in my seat the size of a nickel. It is still under warranty and I am taking it in on Monday, however after reading many websites about this particular problem in 2002/2003 Jetta's I am not so sure that Volkswagen will stand behind this problem and that they try and blame it on the driver messing around with the grid which is next to impossible. I am writing in advance and calling as well so it is on file that this happened. I found the coil in the seat that was not protected by anything and looks to be what was causing the sparks in my seat.

- Duncan, SC, USA

A hole was burnt into my velour driver seat from the seat heater on my 2003 diesel Jetta. I cannot use the seat heater as it continues to produce a burning smell when the heat is turned on.

- Couer Dalene, ID, USA

While driving seat heater started to burn. Consumer felt the heat through her coat. Pulled over and exited the vehicle. The leather seat was melted. Consumer contacted the manufacturer.

- Pleasanton, CA, USA

We purchased a brand new 2003 VW Jetta in June of 2003. I have had no problems with the vehicle until yesterday, 11/28/04. We could smell something "hot" and burning. The drivers seat caught on fire from the heated seats, there is a hole in the seat and my boyfriend burnt his hand. Within minutes of that happening, the passenger side door window just fell down. I've never seen anything like this before. Somehow, the window is no longer in it's track. I have been doing some research online and finding many more instances with the windows falling and the seats catching on fire" what is the deal" this is very unsafe. I have my appointment tomorrow with our local VW dealer in erie pa to see what they will do to correct this. I want both seats looked at....I do not feel safe in my car any longer!!!

- Erie, PA, USA

I currently own a 2003 volkwagen Jetta and have been driving it for 2 years. I live in Michigan and as a result use the seat warmers regularly during the cold winter months. I have never had a problem or any complaints until yesterday. I drove about 1 mile and had the seat warmer on 3, which isn't the highest setting, and my seat caught fire. I had to pull over to the side of the road, get out, and proceed to stomp out the small ember burning. I know have a dime to nickel size hole in my driver side seat.

- Troy, MI, USA

Sunday evening I left my house to run out to the local convenient store when the driver seat of my 2003 VW Jetta caught on fire. The heat settings run as high as five, my setting at the time was on two. I felt heat generating beneath my rear-end and when I lifted my leg to look below me, I saw and felt the flames beneath me. Trying to put the fire out, which by the time I'd got pulled over to the side of road had burned through my jacket and pants, I'd burnt my hand in an attempt to squoosh the fire between the seat and the cushioning. Not a pleasant experience. The seats are 'velour'. this is my third and last Jetta. My previous Jetta had the heated 'leather' seats package and I'd never had this experience. The dealer was kind enough to replace the heating components, cushioning and seat cover. (sarcastically speaking) however, I do not feel confident in my vehicle, much less Volkswagen. Very disappointed.

- Yardley, PA, USA

2003 Volkswagen Jetta gls with cold weather package had seat heating element burn hole in seat.

- Annapolis, MD, USA

I was driving my leased, 2003 Volkswagen Jetta, (equipped with cold weather package), on a very busy road in late afternoon on a cold autumn day just outside of boston. I turned my driver side seat warmer on the highest level, (5) and in about 5 minutes I felt a sharp pain on the backside of my left thigh and thought something had stung me at first. I repositioned myself in the seat, and could smell something burning. I looked down and saw dark brown smoke pouring from the seat and realized the seat was actually burning me. I immediately turned the seat warmer off, pulled over, (again in very busy traffic in watertown, MA), and got out of the car to find a dark brown, dime-sized burn mark in the seat!!! the heat actually went through the seat and burned a small brown mark into my blue jeans and subsequently, left a small welt on the backside of my thigh. I am scared to drive the car now because I am not sure if there are other electrical defects with this car that may put my life, and my passengers lives in danger. I have contacted the dealership I leased the car from and they seem very eager to replace the seat and to clear this matter up immediately.

- Watertown, MA, USA

During first use in cold weather turned on heating seat on driver's side after about thirty seconds the car began to fill with smoke, I felt a sharp pain in my left rear butt cheek. Opened the door & got out of the car.reached in and turned off the seat heater. Noted a hole in the leather seat, found one in my trousers and a small burn mark on my butt. Took the car to the local dealer, and they ordered the parts. Am now waiting to see if it will be paid for by Volkswagen. The car is 5000 miles over warranty.

- Nordland, WA, USA

Upon turning on the drivers side heated seat element to strength 2 out of 5 a strong burning odor was released and a section of the heating element proceeded to burn through the seat cover and sligtly burned my leg. I turned off the heating element to stop the problem and am bringing the vehicle in to the dealers service department to inspect it.

- Swansea, MA, USA

Heated seat warmer on drivers side front seat of my 2003 Volkswagen Jetta caught fire while I was driving, burning both the seat and my body. No repair as of yet.

- Minturn, CO, USA

The driver's seat heater burned through the seat. The dealer was contacted. The dealer informed the consumer that problem was not covered under a recall..

- Wallingford, CT, USA

Heated seat (driver side) overheated to the point where it burned through the seat material, and burned the driver of the vehicle. Small hole visible in material of seat where it burned through, and smoke could be smelled. This occured within 10 minutes of the seat being turned on.

- Southbridge, MA, USA