2003 Volkswagen Jetta Seats Problems
- 34
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 34 stored complaint records:
- 2 indicate a crash
- 12 indicate injury
- 15 indicate fire
What owners report
- seat heater · 21 records
- heated seat · 12 records
- side seat · 9 records
- hole seat · 8 records
- seat burned · 6 records
- turned seat · 5 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 8 |
| 100–150k mi | 8 |
| 30–60k mi | 7 |
| 150–400k mi | 7 |
| 1–30k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Seats
When the seat heater is turned on, the seat catches on fire. When you look at the picture that is smoke coming from the seat, the holes were caused by the seat heater.
ODI 11058251
Seats
The electric seat heater malfunctioned and burned a hole in the seat while in use. It no longer regulates. Dangerous for driving. Smelled like a fire!
1 injury
ODI 11019166
Electrical System · Seats
When i was sitting in the driver's seat with the heated seat option turned to a 5 (high), while the car was warming up, i noticed some smoke coming from the right side of the seat. The heated seat started to burn through the cloth cover directly where my metal jacket zipper was making contact with the cloth seat surface. I immediately poured water on the seat to ensure a fire didn't start. I have not attempted to…
Fire reported
ODI 11002776
Seats
Driver side seat heater gets very got. On march 4, 2016 at 7:30am noticed a burnt smell as i parked my car (i had driven for about 20 mins). When i returned at 12pm for lunch, i noticed 2 burnt areas of my leather seat. March 5th, tried to use heater again but within 10 mins it got too hot to touch and burnt smell, really bad. I shut it off. I can't use this now. Very disappointed.
Fire reported
ODI 10849573
Seats
The right area of the driver's side heated seat began to get excessively warm so i discontinued use for a period of time. Subsequent attempt at use resulted in the heating coil burning through the upholstery. Pictures attached. I have discontinued use and learned there is an expired recall for this as a know issue.
ODI 10884773
Seats
Drivers side heated seat burned hole in seat fabric and burned pants and right leg. Local dealership stated "no recall issued for this vehicle".
ODI 10819128
Seats
Someone left the passenger side seat heater on. I started smelling a burning plastic odor then i came across a small burn mark. Another person left it on, the whole became bigger but no scent.
ODI 10825750
Electrical System · Seats
Tl- the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph a burning plastic odor was present inside the vehicle before the passenger suddenly experienced a burning sensation coming from the seated area of the passenger seat. The contact indicated that the passenger side seat heater element had over heated causing a burn hole in the seat and causing a minor burn to the…
Fire reported · 1 injury
ODI 10563691
Electrical System · Seats
Both front seats, the bottom right side bolster burned. The heated front seats will over heat, the failure appears to be confined to the right bolster on the bottom section of the seat. The heating elements get hot enough to burn through the seat material. Being the side of the seat i was able to shift my leg away and power off the heated seat. If left on the seats will start to smoke. I consider this a safety…
1 injury
ODI 10500938
Seats
After noticing for weeks that my heated seats would only work when turned to 5 (passenger seat doesn't work at all), my leg began burning while driving. I smelled something burning and looked down to see that there was a hole in my seat and there was smoke coming out of it. I immediately turned the seat off and haven't turned it on since. When i contacted vw, they told me that my vehicle was not included in the…
1 injury
ODI 10487799
Engine And Engine Cooling · Fuel System, Gasoline · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Seats
I started experiencing a hot spot in the driver's heated seat in the fall of 2012. I have to put a cushion between my right leg and the seat or it will nearly burn. I have also been having an issue with either the o2 sensor or catalytic converter whenever it rains and it's cool weather. The car will lose power, sputter and lurch until it has been running for a while then it acts normally. Finally, for the past two…
ODI 10546042
Electrical System · Seats
Driver's seat heater malfunctioned. Right side of seat has small burn marks, is discolored, has exposed elements, and seat foam is melted. Two pairs of pants obtained singe marks on separate occasions. I drive the car to and from the city via interstate for [redacted]. Seat heaters are typically on for about 20 minutes. Beginning in november when i used the seat heaters i could smell a slight burning smell. Since it…
Fire reported
ODI 10446433
Seats
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph, she smelled something burning. After inspection, she noticed a hole in the seat from the seat warmer becoming excessively hot. The dealer advised the contact to notify the manufacturer of the failure. The manufacturer informed the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed…
Fire reported
ODI 10444577
Seats
My 2003 jetta seat caught on fire while driving home. I was using my seat heater at the time. I was burned on my leg.
Fire reported · 1 injury
ODI 10443837
Seats
I currently own a 2003 volkswagen jetta. Passenger seat heater gets extremely hot and very concerned due to burn risk to children as well as possible fire hazard. *tr
ODI 10440632
Electrical System · Seats
My drivers side seat heater doesn't recognize the setting of 0-5. It's either on, or off. Meaning, 0-4 the seat heater doesn't heat the seat. But when i turn it to 5 on the setting within 10 minutes the seat gets so hot it burns my legs through clothing. *tr
1 injury
ODI 10437253
Electrical System · Seats
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…
Fire reported
ODI 10380923
Seats
My 2003 jetta driver side heated seat is failing. The problem started in january 2011. The driver side heater coil was recalled back in 2007 and had been replaced through the recall, however, the replacement part is faulty as well. This time, the heater coil has burned the leather seat and burned a hole in my north face down coat. Luckily the coat is thick so i did not get badly burned. I had contacted volkswagen…
ODI 10413122
Seats
2003 volks jetta passenger side heated seat stopped working, and the driver side only has two postions...burn your butt or off. Could have been a dangerous situation had i been on a hwy at hwy speeds. *ln
ODI 10381042
Seats
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
Fire reported · 1 injury
ODI 10370723
Seats
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
Fire reported · 1 injury
ODI 10367012
Seats
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.
1 injury
ODI 10366092
Seats
My car driver seat is burned with some smoke because of faulty seat heater. *tr
Fire reported
ODI 10360249
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
ODI 10359555
Electrical · Seats
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…
Fire reported
ODI 10302302