Volkswagen Eurovan fire or smoke problems

Filed Feb 13, 2018 · Seats · 107,000 miles · CO · fire

I was driving my vehicle on the highway going approximately 70mph. My seat heater had been on for about 10-15 minutes when my passenger and I began to smell a sweet, smokey odor. The smoke was not visible at the time, but over the next 5-10 minutes the smell became more intense and there was smoke visible inside the car. My passenger noticed thick smoke coming up from the back of my seat, causing me to jump forward and swerve the car slightly. I immediately turned off the seat heater and pulled over to the side of the highway. Upon examining the seat, I found the seat heater had burned a hole at base of the lower back where the upper seat meets the lower seat cusion (as seen in the attached photo). I turned off the seat heater and have not used it since. I am concerned around the safety of this feature and upon speaking to a vw representative, they stated I would need to purchase a new seat and have them replace it at full cost.

Filed Jul 18, 2017 · Seats · 140,000 miles · OR · fire · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 volkswagen eurovan. The contact stated that the front passenger seat caught on fire. The contact stated that the seat warmer malfunctioned and caused the seat to catch on fire. The contact stated that the front passenger seat, her son's winter coat, his shirt, and his back were burned by the malfunctioning seat warmer. The contact's son, who was autistic and non-verbal, was unable to communicate to her that there was an issue. Medical attention was not sought. Herzog-meier volkswagen (located at 4275 sw 139th way, beaverton or, 97005, tel: 503‑644‑9121) was contacted; however, the contact was referred to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was called and the contact was referred back to the local dealer to have the vehicle diagnosed. The mechanic was able to diagnose and confirm the failure of the seat warmer, but the seat was not replaced due to the age of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

Filed Jun 18, 2017 · Electrical · 100,000 miles · CA · fire

The heating elements in the seat which heat the seat when turned on (seat heaters) caught fire and burned through the seat, almost burning my backside. Car was stationary. Warming up the engine for about 8 minutes in the morning before driving to work.

Filed Nov 18, 2013 · Seats · 128,321 miles · MT · fire · 1 injury

While driving on city street, the passenger seat heater caught the seat on fire burning seat cover, and passenger's coat, fleece vest and scalding back of passenger. There was not a crash, but this event could have been more severe if it had been the driver or if more significant injury to passenger. We were very concerned about this event because of safety and loss of personal property and injury. We immediately contacted our local volkswagen dealership who took photos and commented that "this should not happen regardless of age of our vehicle and we will address this right away". We contacted volkswagen's online customer care service via email as advised by our local dealership. After a few email exchanges, volkswagen finally commented that this event is not their responsibility because of the age and mileage of the vehicle. We are most concerned about the safety of the vehicle. Volkswagen commented that this event is strictly a warranty issue and considering the age and mileage of the vehicle, there are no applicable warranties. Volkswagen commented further that if we want to ensure safety of the seat heaters or other aspects of the van, we must schedule an appointment with the dealer and we will be responsible for the cost of the diagnostics and all repairs.

Filed Jan 5, 2013 · Seats · 147,000 miles · HI · fire

Driver seat heater caught fire and melted hole in seat. This is a very dangerous and should be a recall item.

Filed Mar 20, 2007 · Seats · 82,000 miles · ME · fire

Heated seats caught on fire and burned the upper portion of the passenger seat.

Filed Apr 4, 2003 · Engine, Transmission · 8,090 miles · CO

The engine fell from the vehicle due to a missing bolt, also the transmission was inoperative. *jb the consumer found that the engine and the transmission was rebuilt prior to purchase. The engine light had come on, the consumer's daughter heard a loud rattle and viewed smoke coming from the engine area. On another occasion when the consumer had come to an intersection, when accelerated, the vehicle had made a noise then would not move. The bolts had sprayed over the road. Scc

Filed Dec 19, 2002 · Electrical · 45,500 miles · CA · fire

My 1997 vw eurovan camper caught fire on december 8, 2002 as it was being driven on interstate 10 near redlands, ca. It was totally lost. Apparently the fire started under the dash on the passenger side. Vw, after inspection, denies responsibility because an after market radio was installed. The firm which installed the radio has inspected the car and reports that the fire was on the passenger side. There is good evidence of much more heat on the right side. Wire insulation jackets are burned off there and not near the radio. No wires were cut during the radio installation, but rather the radio plug was connected to the vw plug. The vehicle has about 45,000 miles on it. On nov. 6, 1998, the dealer replaced the regulator motor and the window motor in the passenger door. On june 19, 2000, the dealer replaced the passenger side window motor. On july 17, 2000, the dealer found a loose wire connection when I reported that the speakers were not working since the june 19 repair.

Filed Jul 26, 2000 · Electrical, Fuel system · CA · fire

Consumer was traveling about 15mph on a residential street. She had the window rolled up, and she started feeling sick. She pulled over and noticed white smoke coming from hood area. Consumer went to get her husband, and when she returned vehicle was in flames. Vehicle was totaled. *ak prior to the recall the fuel line failed (00v‑039). Customer later found out that there was a recall.

Filed Jun 16, 2000 · Fuel system · NC

A recall on fuel lines was issued in march or april. Up to this date vwoa refuses to perform the required fuel line replacement. I have had two appointments with a dealer (after vwoa authorized the replacement over the phone) and both times I was sent home. The first time the dealer claimed there was not recall. After vwoa called him he consented to performing the recall. As I picked up the van I received a statement that the lines were performing according to wv specifications. When I checked under the hood I realized that they had not changed the lines. I believe they were fraudulent. When I questioned the manager he claimed there was no recall. The second time he claimed his factory rep did not authorize the repair. The vw dealer in question is land vw in durham, nc. The service manager is dave wilcox. He simply refuses to fix the fuel lines. I believe vwoa is trying to cover up and stall. My lines are leaking but noone will fix them. Why does the government not enforce mandated recalls?? How long will it take before vw and the government will take action? How many eurovans have to go up in flames. I wanted the lines replaced before I drive the van to idaho from nc (we are moving) but the dealer refuses. My new address is 2062 cassia st, pocatello, id 83201 (no phone, yet--but my email remains the same). Hope I get there w/o an engine fire.