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.
2003 Volkswagen Jetta seats problems
100 complaints (22% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 55,000. 2 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 100
- of this car's complaints
- 22%
- typical mileage
- 55,000
- crashes
- 2
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Front assembly: seat heater/cooler69
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Volkswagen Jetta seats problems in other years
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Driver side front seat overheats
This investigation concerns the electric seat heater installed in some my 2002-2003 volkswagen (vw) jetta vehicles.consumers allege that the seat heater may overheat, resulting in burn damage to the seat cover and to the driver's clothing and/or skin.this ea addresses whether such failures may pose a risk to motor vehicle safety.odi concludes that the driver-side seat heater may fail or malfunction due to normal vehicle use, (I.e., driver ingress and egress from the vehicle).the investigation disclosed that such failures do not pose a significant risk of injury or fire.odi believes that further investigation would not likely identify a safety-related defect trend.therefore, this ea has been closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist.the agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances.the attached summary report provides further detail concerning this ea.
EA04010
Driver seat overheats/burns
The subject vehicles are equipped with optional electrically heated driver and front passenger seats.information received during pe03-052 disclosed a significant number of incidents of malfunctioning/overheating of the driver seat heater in the subject vehicles.additional incidents may occur during the final months of the winter season.this matter is also currently being investigated by transport canada.this pe has been upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea04-010)in order to fully investigate these occurrences and their safety implications.
PE03052
What 2003 Volkswagen Jetta owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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!
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 use the seat heaters since this incident.
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.
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.
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.
Drivers side heated seat burned hole in seat fabric and burned pants and right leg. Local dealership stated "no recall issued for this vehicle".
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 passenger. The contact stated that a small flamed to the passengers right pant leg had to be extinguished during the incident and the passenger seat burn hole measured approximately 1 inch in diameter. The vehicle was diagnosed at the dealer. The contact was informed that the defect was caused by a faulty heat element inside the seat. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified but no solution was offered. The failure mileage was 125,000. Jft
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 months the rear door locks will not open with the keyless entry or by hitting the lock/unlock button on the door. I just reached the 100k mark and keep up regular maintenance on my car so I'm a little upset that things like this are happening so early.
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 issue, I haven't tried , but it seems as though the seat could catch on fire if left on. The local dealer's service rep said just unplug it the option.
Questions about the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta seats
Does the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta have seats problems?
Owners have filed 100 complaints about the seats of the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta, 22% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2003 Volkswagen Jetta seats problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 55,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta seats?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Volkswagen Jetta have bad seats?
The Volkswagen Jetta model years with the most seats complaints are 2002 (101 complaints), 2003 (100 complaints) and 2001 (27 complaints).
Other 2003 Volkswagen Jetta problems
Electrical 97Airbags 77Engine 60Transmission 54Lights 29Brakes 22Visibility 21Fuel system 17Body 11Acceleration 7Locks 7Suspension 6Tires 5Wheels 5Seat belts 2Driver assistance 1Steering 1
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