Heated seats burning holes

[N13L VV]

weve a 03 passat 130tdi with heated seats and last night my wife let out a scream as the heated seat burnt a hole in the drivers seat and burnt her on the butt. The passenger seat also done this last year and the dealer replaced it . The car is now out of warranty but still seats shouldnt go on fire . Anyone else know of the same problem and any ideas what to do or contact. Cheers Neil

[CherryB]

hi there, i do not really know who you should contact regarding fixing the problem, but i strongly recommend disconnecting the wiring to the seats. i am a UK fire fighter and see vehicle fires caused by faulty electrics almost daily. The last thing that you need is a seat alight on the motorway and a car full of friends. Hope you find the fault soon.

[Sam]

There is a recall in the USA concerning heated seats.

Ring your nearest dealership to see if there's one covering UK models too.

[snapdragon]

December 2005

Subject: Customer Satisfaction Campaign M3 2002-2003 Model Year Passat Equipped with Heated Seats Inspect and, If Necessary, Install New Passenger Side Seat Heater Switch

Dear Volkswagen Owner:

Our records indicate that we had previously notified you of the available repair for the driver's side seat heater. We would now like to inform you that the passenger's side seat heater switch repair is now available.

What is the Problem?
Volkswagen has determined that the affected vehicles equipped with heated seats may have a seat heater element that can malfunction when the ignition switch is "on" and the seat heater switch is "on." If this happens, the seat heater mat may temporarily overheat and become inoperative, and the occupant may experience excessive heat in a small area.
This overheating would occur over a very brief time period and is self-limiting, as the current flow is interrupted as a result of this condition. In extreme cases, the overheating could cause damage to objects in contact with the seat cushion. This condition cannot occur if the ignition switch is "off' or if the seat heater switch is "off." Additionally, the occurrence of this on the passenger side is extremely rare.

What Will Volkswagen Do?
- ~reveAt-tAo oonditiaR-Gecoribed above, we will inspect and,. if-ReGessary, incbll-a new seat heater switch for the passenger seat free of charge. ".

This seat heater customer satisfaction campaign will be available until December 31,2007, after which time it will expire and will no longer be performed as a customer satisfaction campaign.

We will also provide a three year limited warranty extension for inoperative condition of both the installed seat heater electrical repair kit (provided to you under the M2 Customer Satisfaction Campaign) and switch (provided to you under the M3 Customer Satisfaction Campaign), regardless of vehicle mileage. This limited warranty extension will be in effect until December 31, 2008 and will be activated only after you bring your vehicle in and the M2 and M3 campaigns have been performed.

Volkswagen of America, 3800 Hamlin Road Auburn Hills, MI 48326 Tel. 1 800 893 5298

This warranty extension is in addition to and does not affect any other applicable warranty with your vehicle (such as the Limited New Vehicle Warranty). This extended warranty does not cover wear and tear of the seat cover or any other condition other than operation of the installed seat heater electrical repair kit and switch.

What We Would Like You To Do Please contact your authorized Volkswagen dealer and arrange for an appointment at your convenience so this update can be performed. This inspection will typically take about fifteen minutes. Repairs, if necessary, will take about one and one-half hours and as mentioned above, will be free of charge. Please keep in mind that your dealer may need additional time for the preparation of the update, as well as to accommodate their daily workshop schedule.

If you have not yet had the driver's side seat heater electrical repair kit installed on your vehicle, we would also like to take this opportunity to remind you that this repair is also available to you free of charge. This update will typically take about two hours.

Lease Vehicles If you are the lessor and registered owner of the vehicle identified in this letter, please forward this information via first class mail to the lessee.

Have You Changed Your Address Or Sold The Vehicle?
If you have, please fill out the enclosed prepaid Owner Reply card and mail it to us so we can update our records.

Reimbursement of Expenses If you have previously paid for a seat heater repair on a heated seat due to overheating, the enclosed form explains how to request reimbursement. We would be pleased to review your reimbursement request.

Service Help From Us If your authorized Volkswagen dealer fails or is unable to complete this work free of charge within a reasonable amount of time, please call or write to:

Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Attn: Customer CARE Center (M3) 3499 West Hamlin Road Rochester Hills, MI 48309 1-800-893-5298

We sincerely regret any inconvenience this may cause, and we look forward to providing this repair and warranty extension to you. Thank you for driving a Volkswagen!

Sincerely,

Maria Cotter Volkswagen Service and Quality

[kenney]

This happened to one of our customers,cost the factory,one new fur coat,didnt burn her knickers or her bum though,so it wasnt so bad.

[JPRINCE]

Same thing happened to drivers seat on our 04 highline TDi last weekend. Appears that it is a well documented problem in the States but no action been taken in the UK. Has anyone else suffered the same problem ??

[x-rayboy]

weve a 03 passat 130tdi with heated seats and last night my wife let out a scream as the heated seat burnt a hole in the drivers seat and burnt her on the butt. The passenger seat also done this last year and the dealer replaced it . The car is now out of warranty but still seats shouldnt go on fire . Anyone else know of the same problem and any ideas what to do or contact. Cheers Neil
Hi, my 53 130 highline did exactly the same this morning. Small hole now burnt in the leather on the RHS of the seat. Not very impressed with this, could have been disastrous at speed. Car is well outof warranty, anyone know if there has ever been a recall for anything like this?

[snapdragon]

You should fill in a VOSA form and say it nearly made you crash or you went up the kerb. You can get forms here ....
http://www.geocities.com/krustycola/VOSAVERSION.doc

[Spiro]

Hi

This problem occured on my 53 plate 130 Highline two weeks ago. The dealer has taken photos and completed a report, which was forwarded to Germany.

Have now agreed to replace damaged parts.

:Blush:

[deluna]

I was test driving a 54 2004 Highline last week and the same thing happened. I could smell burning so switched off the heated seats and when I got out of the car there was what looked like a cigarette burn on the right side of the drivers seat. I didn't buy the car and it's given me doubts about buying a highline, if i do buy one i might just disconnect the heated seats to be on the safe side.

[lummers]

Same thing happened to drivers seat on our 04 highline TDi last weekend. Appears that it is a well documented problem in the States but no action been taken in the UK. Has anyone else suffered the same problem ??

Hi had same problem in march 2008 in my 2004 130 highline called my local vw dealer and they put me in touch with vw uk customer service. They arranged for the car to be inspected and the seats dissconected by my local dealer. Although the car was a few months out of warranty they arranged a replacment seat out of good will. Just spread it on thick of how dangerous this is, I told them i was on the motorway and the car filled with smoke. vw customer service number is 0800 711811. It took some time but just keep pushing. I'm sure they dont want it in the press. Hope this helps!!

[lummers]

Hi had same problem in march 2008 in my 2004 130 highline called my local vw dealer and they put me in touch with vw uk customer service. They arranged for the car to be inspected and the seats dissconected by my local dealer. Although the car was a few months out of warranty they arranged a replacment seat out of good will. Just spread it on thick of how dangerous this is, I told them i was on the motorway and the car filled with smoke. vw customer service number is 0800 711811. It took some time but just keep pushing. I'm sure they dont want it in the press. Hope this helps!!

[corkycat]

its not just vw either!! ive got a omega 2.5td 2000v plate and this has done the same thing burning a small hole in the seat and smoke was coming from the seat.... if it was worth more than 50p then i would have let it burn but i like my insurance low!

[Spiro]

Hi All

My local dealer has now replaced the seat pad and reconnected the heaters, just in time for the cold snap.

All of the work and the cost of the car hire was meet by the dealer; perhaps they wanted to keep me quiet!!

Full praise to my local dealer for sorting out.

Spiro

My advice would be to speak with them

[x-rayboy]

Update- i took the car to the local dealer and laid it on thick about what had happened. Was told today that VW have authorized them to repair the car FOC. Result!
thanks to all for the posts.

[b0redom]

Can anyone who's had this repaired FOC let me know which dealership they used? I've got the same problem on mine, and I could do with a free repair!

[CloggsA6]

Not sure if it is just the Highline if you are looking at a Passat.

My 2001 Sport with Winter Pack has heated seats and I use them regularly..... well I did. Interesting post.

[mikeaggy]

Out of interest....when this happens are the seats set to high eg 5 or does it happen at low settings?
Mike

[adeace]

mine does it as well happened about 18 months ago now, small hole in drivers seat righthand side about halfway back. Happens on any setting.

[SueTonks]

Hello, I know it was a long time ago since the seat fire in your passat but would you mind letting me know how you got on with getting the seat repaired. My seat caught on fire this weekend and also burnt my coat. I have taken my car to the dealer to have the seats disconnected but as this is such a dangerous thing to happen I do not see why I should pay out and feel VW should be responsible.
Many thanks

[ddave05]

mine does it as well happened about 18 months ago now, small hole in drivers seat righthand side about halfway back. Happens on any setting.

With the recent cold snap, i've been using my heated seats on my 04 highline a lot. I have been weary of not setting the heaters to 5 because of the issue burning through. Should I be worried of using the function at any setting? I've not had any issues so far. I'm wondering how isolated these issues are, and whether they are actually commonplace in these models.

[x-rayboy]

Hello, I know it was a long time ago since the seat fire in your passat but would you mind letting me know how you got on with getting the seat repaired. My seat caught on fire this weekend and also burnt my coat. I have taken my car to the dealer to have the seats disconnected but as this is such a dangerous thing to happen I do not see why I should pay out and feel VW should be responsible.
Many thanks
Hi Sue,

The dealer replaced the seat foc. I think this is a known problem and i'd be surprised if they try to make you pay. If they try i would quote this site as evidence that it is a production fault not a warranty issue. Say you could have been killed etc. etc. let us know how you get on.

Dave.

[y2ksparky]

Contact your dealer-your car may be covered under a campaign for this problem or you can get the area manager involved to cover your expenses. Vw are normally pretty good about this.

[Toonmania]

try this link people have bben getting the problem sorted out by VW foc

hope it helps

http://www.ukpassats.co.uk/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=8380

[snapdragon]

The issue covered a certain chassis range due to faulty regulators.
I have seen the papers on Elsawin, but as I don't use Windows, I can't check right now. May be worth calling the dealer, hopefully they won't say the de facto "Never heard of that before".