Seat heater in VW Jetta '01 became very hot (like burning cigarette on buttocks) on two different days - and finally stop working. Per the dealer the element did short out - has discolored fabric - and is now being replaced to the tune of $275 -- the cover would cost an extra $350+ which I passed on replacing.

- Fairport, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Volkswagen Jetta. Driver's side seat is heated, and one night smelled an odor of burning plastic. She couldn't figure out what it was, and then her back and legs were getting really hot from the heated seat. Consumer states on 05/25/05 heated seats were on and a shock was felt in consumer's left leg. Consumer turned it off then back on in 15 minutes to see if it would reoccur and 5 minutes later seat became hot and experienced an electric shock in left thigh again.

- Warwick, RI, USA

The heating element for the heated seat became so hot it melted the leather seat of the consumer's 2001 Volkswagen Jetta. The dealer stated that liquid appeared to be split on the leather seats causing the device to short out and overheat which caused the device to short out and overheat which caused the damage. The consumer inquired about compensation.

- Auburn, CA, USA

1 ) while driving with the seat heater on, the seat became burning hot, to a point where I had to get out of the seat. This is while I am driving at 65 mph on interstate I-580. I have complained to VW with no avail. I have also found from other reports that this has happened to many other vehicles, to a point where some caught on fire. VW refuses to address the issue, and the service dept even went as far as recommending me just swapping the passenger to driver side heat control. 2) the failure of the seat heater almost led to a accident at highway speeds. I was forced to drive while not completely seated to pull over. 3). VW has done nothing to address the issue since they state my vehicle is out of warranty.

- Pleasanton, CA, USA

Driver seat burn, seat cover had liquid of some type leak into seat through seam into heating elements. Caused a short.

- Auburn, CA, USA

The consumer noticed that the driver's seat had become unusually hotter than normal. This caused the consumer to sustain minor injuries. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The dealer wanted a non refundable fee to diagnose the problem so the consumer did not take it in for service. The driver's seat had a faint burning smell.

- Cranston, RI, USA

Safety issue with 2001 VW Jetta. The drivers side seat became unusually hot than normal and the interior leather covering developed a metallic appearance. A VW representative looked at the seat and stated it looked like external damaged, but the seat had to be fully inspected first. The consumer was told the she would be responsible for the labor if was determined it was not the heating element, but if it was the heating element VW would cover all costs. After the inspection, the consumer was told a beverage was spilled on the seat which caused the heating seat to malfunction. The consumer also stated the vehicle consumed an excessive amount of oil, in which the oil light illuminated.

- Auburn, CA, USA

Injury due to heated seat in Jetta 2001. Serious injury to the sacral nerve and sciata nerve resulting in complete "saddle" numbness for 4-5 weeks and severe numbness in the feet for 5+ weeks with lasting numbness in soles of feet continuing nearly one year later.

- South Boston, MA, USA