2002 Volkswagen Jetta: engine overheating

Filed Dec 19, 2012 · Seats · 70,000 miles · VA · fire · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated that the driver's side heated seat overheated and burned through the seat, causing burns to the contact's legs. The contact stated that the failure had been experienced before, but was never so sever that it caused injuries. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The VIN was not available. The failure and the current mileages were 70,000.

Filed Sep 9, 2009 · Electrical · 82,928 miles · MI

1. 2002 vw jetta wagon electrical system failure on expressway caused vehicle to stop & unable to start 9/6/09. Vehicle towed to dealer. 2. Vw dealer failure description, wire harness corrosion caused restriction in power flow in line which caused alternator to overwork and overheat wire harness and fuse panel. This extensive enough to cause melting of both wire harness and fuse panel over top of battery. 3. Vw dealer repair and replace wire harness and fuse body. 4. Vw customer care took information on my complaint about defect and potential safety issue but would do nothing referring me back to the dealer. My question was why did vw have such a defect where there was no fusible link that would fail first preventing the extensive damage that occurred.

Filed Apr 18, 2009 · Electrical · 70,000 miles · IA · fire

The bottom seat heater on my 2002 vw jetta either doesn't work at all or if it turns on, it overheats the extreme right side of the seat. A small hole is burned in the upholstery, and the foam underneath is melted, deforming the appearance of fabric above. This could result in a burn to the skin on the right side of the leg if it goes undetected. I see this as a huge safety issue.

Filed Jul 24, 2008 · Seats · 184,000 miles · CA · 1 injury

While driving with the seat heater on in 2002 vw jetta the seat heater overheated and burned through the leather seat and burned the driver. Smoke was present in the vehicle.

Filed Aug 9, 2005 · Engine · 33,996 miles · NJ

I purchased my jetta in march 2002, and experienced no major problems within the first 30,000 miles. On july 19, 2003, I brought the car to vw after hearing a rattling noise when making turns and idling at a traffic light (mileage: 33,996). The mechanics were unable to identify a problem, however at the same time, the ignition coils were replaced due to a vw recall, the first of several. I continued to contend with the rattling for several more months, and finally brought the car back to vw on november 14, 2003 (mileage: 39,038). At this point, the pressure hose was replaced under warranty. My car functioned without incident until july 2004, when I began to notice that the air conditioning worked sporadically. I did not realize the connection to the engine cooling system until august 25, 2004, when my car began to overheat. The vehicle was towed to the nearest vw service shop in, where I was charged $4 for a cooling fan fuse and $90 in labor (not to mention the brake light switch was replaced due to another product recall). I was charged $101.76, and the problem was still not solved! On august 27, 2004, I spent $659.04 in parts and labor to have both the AC and radiator cooling fans replaced (mileage: 52,650). I drove my car with no problems until november 16, 2004, when the check engine light came on. I spent another $93.28 for a new coolant sensor, coolant refill, and labor. The check engine light came back on in april 2005, and resulted in another trip to the mechanic, costing me another $45.53. On august 5, 2005 (mileage: 68k), my car overheated yet again. The current situation I am faced with is $450 in parts and labor to replace the water pump and $150 to replace a vacuum hose. I am hesitant to drive my car, for fear that it will overheat again, or worse, while I am driving it.

Filed Jan 21, 2005 · Seats · 60,000 miles · PA

2002 vw jetta tdi with heated cloth seats. Driver side seat heater overheats in a small spot, causing burning (brown coloration) of the seat and the start of a burnt leg on the wife (just what I need...one more thing to hear about...). Passenger seat works fine. Driver seat heater no longer used as problem is repeatable.

Filed Nov 17, 2004 · Seats · 43,500 miles · PA

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.

Filed Oct 5, 2004 · Electrical · 933 miles · NJ

Electrical problem, coolant leaked in mechanical system, causing loss of power. Requiring rewiring of entire electrical system. *bf the coil spring failed which caused the vehicle to have no power, the drivers side window failed, the consumer did however receive a recall notice regarding the matter, but the problem had already occurred. The rear passenger tail light was out.

Filed Sep 29, 2004 · Seats · 27,350 miles · SD

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

Filed Sep 21, 2004 · Seats, Transmission · 97 miles · VT

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.

Filed Dec 16, 2003 · Seats · 33,400 miles · MI · 1 injury

I was driving and noticed my hip had an itch. I itched it and it sort of went away. The next day the same thing happened, but I touched the seat in my car, and that it was really, really hot. I stopped and looked, and the leather was a bit defromed, and I noticed a burning smell. The heating elements in my 2002 vw jetta tdi were overheating, and could have caught me or the car on fire. I am gong to the dealer to have it looked at in 2 days.

Filed Dec 5, 2003 · Seats · NJ

My electronically heater driver seat of my 2002 vw jetta overheated and burned my seat cushion.