2005 Volkswagen Passat seats problems

Filed Dec 22, 2015 · Seats · 200,000 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 volkswagen passat. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the seat heater burned a hole in the passenger seat and the passenger's coat. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000. Updated 02/23/16*lj the consumer stated the vehicle was repaired. Updated 03/30/16.

Filed Jun 9, 2014 · Seats · 75,000 miles · VA

I started the car and immediately turned on my driver's heated seat. Within 2 mins, smoke started appearing on my left side. I realized my seat was starting to catch fire, so I quickly turned off the vehicle. Luckily, my clothes did not catch fire. However, my heated seat burned a hole complete through the leather. This is a major safety issue.

Filed Mar 26, 2014 · Seats · 100,000 miles · VA · fire · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 volkswagen passat. The contact stated the that front passenger's side heated seat was activated when a high voltage of heat penetrated through the leather seat cushion unexpectedly. The front seat passenger suffered from a burn to the right leg. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer. The manufacturer was notified and accepted responsibility for the repair expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Oct 21, 2011 · Seats · TX · fire

On 10/20/11, I started my car and turned on the driver seat heater to 2, to warm the seat. I proceeded to drive to a 9 am appointment within 2 miles from my home. After driving just a couple blocks, I smelled a slight burning smell, but thought it normal since I had not used the seat heater in quite some time; it was just like turning the heat on in a home after several months of non-use. Within a few short blocks, I felt a sting in my left leg and thought it could have been a pine needle, so I shifted my body position to alleviate the issue. After a couple more short blocks, another stinging sensation. At the next stop sign, I reached down with my hand to feel what could be causing the stinging of my leg. I felt a hot spot in the left side of my seat and turned off the seat heater since my seat had warmed enough to be comfortable, but I did not think my seat was burning, so I continued on to my appointment. I went in to my appointment and came out to my car an hour and a half later. I noticed what looked like a small cigarette burn in the seat and a horrible smell in the car. I returned home and told my boyfriend about the incident.

Filed Apr 25, 2011 · Seats · 81,500 miles · IL · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 volkswagen passat. The contact stated the driver side seat warmer ignited a fire and burned through the seat. There were no injuries. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the repair. The manufacturer was contact who stated that they would discuss the repairs with the dealer and give him a return call on the repair costs. The failure mileage was 81,500.

Filed Oct 12, 2010 · Seats · 94,800 miles · NY

Small hole has burned into the drivers side seat when heated seats activated. When the seat is activated, it burns through to my skin, making heat feature not usable.

Filed Jul 15, 2010 · Seats · 67,158 miles · HI · 1 injury

I drove on a cold day to a meeting and as a result I got a 2nd degree burn on left buttock after leaving seat heater on number five for one hour and twenty minute drive. I am a partial paraplegic thus, I was unaware of temperature and unaware of increased temperature.

Filed Feb 11, 2010 · Seats · 139,200 miles · MA · fire · 1 injury

I own a 2005 volkswagen passat gls. The factory installed seat heater malfunctioned the other day producing smoke, burning my buttock (and finger when I reached down) and burning two pea sized holes on the driver's seat. The local vw dealer was aware of the issue. I also called the district vw office at 1‑800‑822‑8987 and notified them of the problem. Apparently vw is covering the cost of repair on some but not all vws. I was told the 2005 passat is not covered under any kind of extended warranty. However, the district office is investigating the issue and promised to get back to me by day's end tomorrow. To me this is a safety issue. Other then minor burns to my buttocks and fingers, I was able to safely pull over and turn off the seat heater. The heat and smoke went right away. When I asked about the safety, the vw dealer's service department suggested I not use the heaters until they are repaired. I asked about disabling them via a fuse of something but they said unfortunate the fuse controlled other functions in the car. However, I believe this is a safety issue with the 2005 passat gls. I'm okay but others may not be so lucky. Also, I'm concerned how the vw dealer's service department suggested I just not use it again. What if someone else uses the car and I forget to tell them? The repair bill was estimated at $900+ for the driver's seat only.

Filed Jan 4, 2010 · Seats · 70,000 miles · MA · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 volkswagen passat. The contact stated that the heated seats on the driver side of the vehicle caught fire. He was able to extinguish the fire. The dealer stated that they would notify the contact if there was a related recall and he has not received a response from the dealer. The failure mileage was 70,000.

Filed Nov 4, 2009 · Seats · 160,000 miles · CT

Seat heater remained on after switched to the off position. Heat increased to uncomfortable level, in-dash switch became too hot to touch, and smell of burning plastic filled cockpit (no smoke though).