NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
97 reportsClear category filter52,000 miles · Oct 25, 2005
Electrical System
DT: THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE ABS LIGHT AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. SHE PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE STALLED . THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START BACK. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE ALTERNATOR CABLE BURNED THE FUSE BOX AND COVER. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT IF THEY SAME PART WILL BE PUT…
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DT: THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE ABS LIGHT AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. SHE PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE STALLED . THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START BACK. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE ALTERNATOR CABLE BURNED THE FUSE BOX AND COVER. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT IF THEY SAME PART WILL BE PUT BACK ON THE SAME THING WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. *AK *JB
NHTSA ODI #10136903
28,000 miles · Sep 30, 2005
Electrical SystemFireInjury
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTY. THE CONTACT STATED S DASHBOARD CONTROL SYSTEM CAUGHT ON FIRE. LAST NIGHT WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. WAS NOT SURE WHAT IT WAS. GOT CLOSE TO HOME AND SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE DASHBOARD. BY THE TIME SHE GOT WITHIN A BLOCK OF THE HOUSE THE DASHBOARD WAS O…
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DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTY. THE CONTACT STATED S DASHBOARD CONTROL SYSTEM CAUGHT ON FIRE. LAST NIGHT WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. WAS NOT SURE WHAT IT WAS. GOT CLOSE TO HOME AND SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE DASHBOARD. BY THE TIME SHE GOT WITHIN A BLOCK OF THE HOUSE THE DASHBOARD WAS ON FIRE. HUSBAND CAME OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. HUSBAND USED EXTINGUISHER ON VEHICLE. CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS. THEY UNHOOKED THE BATTERY. FIRE DEPARTMENT GAVE ALL CLEAR, BUT NOT TO TRY TO DRIVE VEHICLE. THEY TOLD CONSUMER TO TAKE VEHICLE TO VOLKSWAGEN DEALER. THIS MORNING CALLED VOLKSWAGEN, AND WERE IN THE PROCESS OF SEEING WHAT THEY COULD DO. HUSBAND SUSTAINED RIGHT LEG INJURIES. CUSTOMER ALSO COMPLAINED OF EYES BURNING FROM SMOKE. POLICE DEPARTMENT AND FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTS TAKEN. NO CRASHES. WE HAD JUST PICKED VEHICLE UP FROM THE DEALER.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10138272
125,000 miles · Jul 8, 2005
Electrical System
DT: 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA DIESEL TDI. THE ENGINE DIED AT 70 MPH. THE CONSUMER KNEW IT WAS NOT THE TIMING BELT AND BELIEVED IT TO BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER SENSOR THAT CONTROLS THE SIGNALS. LIGHTS TO FLASH, FLASHERS ALSO WITH POWER WINDOWS. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE T…
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DT: 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA DIESEL TDI. THE ENGINE DIED AT 70 MPH. THE CONSUMER KNEW IT WAS NOT THE TIMING BELT AND BELIEVED IT TO BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER SENSOR THAT CONTROLS THE SIGNALS. LIGHTS TO FLASH, FLASHERS ALSO WITH POWER WINDOWS. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND HE COULD FIND NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. THE TIMING BELT IS IN PLACE AND IN GOOD CONDITION. *TT *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10120984
9,592 miles · Nov 27, 2004
Electrical System
ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THEN THE CAR DIED WITHIN SIXTY SECONDS. WE WERE ABLE TO RE-START THE CAR AFTER SITTING FOR 30 MINUTES, ONLY TO HAVE THE SAME THING RE-OCCUR WITHIN TWO MILES. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS, EXCEPT FOR THE ILLUMINATED LIGHTS, BUT THIS LEFT NO TIME TO SAFELY PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS COULD HAV…
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ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THEN THE CAR DIED WITHIN SIXTY SECONDS. WE WERE ABLE TO RE-START THE CAR AFTER SITTING FOR 30 MINUTES, ONLY TO HAVE THE SAME THING RE-OCCUR WITHIN TWO MILES. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS, EXCEPT FOR THE ILLUMINATED LIGHTS, BUT THIS LEFT NO TIME TO SAFELY PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY TRAGIC OR FATAL EVENT IF WE WERE NOT ON A LOCAL, NEIGHBORHOOD ROAD.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10100623
20,000 miles · Oct 14, 2004
Electrical SystemFire
WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, SUDDENLY A FIRE STARTED FOR NO REASON FROM UNDER THE PASSENGER GLOVE COMPARTMENT, BURNING PLASTIC WAS DRIPPING TO THE FLOOR MATS. I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER, AND AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES MY CAR WAS TOTALLY ON FIRE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE ARE OTHER INCIDENTS OF SPONTANEOUS FIRES FOR TH…
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WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, SUDDENLY A FIRE STARTED FOR NO REASON FROM UNDER THE PASSENGER GLOVE COMPARTMENT, BURNING PLASTIC WAS DRIPPING TO THE FLOOR MATS. I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER, AND AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES MY CAR WAS TOTALLY ON FIRE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE ARE OTHER INCIDENTS OF SPONTANEOUS FIRES FOR THIS MAKE AND YEAR MODEL.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10095773
1,000 miles · Jan 22, 2004
Electrical System
THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN MY CAR. MOST OF WHICH HAVE BEEN UNFOUNDED BY THE DEALERSHIP. IN MOST CASES IT IS MY WINDOWS THAT DO NOT OBEY COMANDS. IF I PUSH THE WINDOW UP BUTTON, THE WINDOWS MAY ROLL THEMSELVES DOWN OR GO ALL THE WAY UP INSTEAD OF JUST A LITTLE BIT UP. SAME ON THE DOWN. SOM…
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THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN MY CAR. MOST OF WHICH HAVE BEEN UNFOUNDED BY THE DEALERSHIP. IN MOST CASES IT IS MY WINDOWS THAT DO NOT OBEY COMANDS. IF I PUSH THE WINDOW UP BUTTON, THE WINDOWS MAY ROLL THEMSELVES DOWN OR GO ALL THE WAY UP INSTEAD OF JUST A LITTLE BIT UP. SAME ON THE DOWN. SOMETIMES THE PINCH CONTROL WILL ACTIVATE ITSELF AND THE WINDOW (WHICH I THINK IS CLOSING) WILL ROLL DOWN. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY CONCERN PER SAY BUT I AM CONCERNED THAT I MAY BE UNAWARE OF THE WINDOW BEING DOWN AND MY DOG MIGHT JUMP OUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT, OR IT MIGHT DRAW MY ATTENTION AWAY FROM DRIVING WHILE I TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS GOING ON, AGAIN, POSSIBLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN A FEW TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY "CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM" AND REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THAT THE RADIO STAYS ON SOMETIMES WHEN I AM EXITING THE CAR, AGAIN NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT IT REALLY LETS ME BELIEVE THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. I HAVE ALSO HAD A BLOWN FUSE-CAUSING THE EPC-LIGHT TO COME ON... IT WAS FOR THE REAR BRAKES. THE LIGHTS WOULDN'T TURN OFF AFTER I WAS OUT OF THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI #10054676
2,300 miles · Dec 30, 2003
Electrical System
MY BRAND NEW 2003 JETTA GLI FAILED TO START AT A SHOPPING CENTER. THE CAR WAS PARKED THERE FOR ONLY TWO HOURS. SEEMS LIKE THE BATTERY AND IGNITION SWITCH WORKS, BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. CALLED AAA. AFTER 10 MINUTES AND NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS OF CRANKING THE ENGINE, HE WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR. TOOK CAR INTO THE DELEARSHIP. TH…
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MY BRAND NEW 2003 JETTA GLI FAILED TO START AT A SHOPPING CENTER. THE CAR WAS PARKED THERE FOR ONLY TWO HOURS. SEEMS LIKE THE BATTERY AND IGNITION SWITCH WORKS, BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. CALLED AAA. AFTER 10 MINUTES AND NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS OF CRANKING THE ENGINE, HE WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR. TOOK CAR INTO THE DELEARSHIP. THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AFTER TWO DAYS, BUT PUT 60 MILES ON THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI #10051330
8,067 miles · Dec 24, 2003
Electrical SystemPower TrainTires
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED HESITATION, KEYLESS KEY BATTERY DOES NOT WORK, EPC LIGHT ILLUMINATED DUE TO LOST OF POWER, JACK FELL WHILE CAR WAS ON IT, AND PROBLEMS SHIFTING THE CAR OUT OF PARK.*MR WHEN THE EPC LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOR THE SECOND TIME, THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TWO FLAT DUE TO …
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VEHICLE EXPERIENCED HESITATION, KEYLESS KEY BATTERY DOES NOT WORK, EPC LIGHT ILLUMINATED DUE TO LOST OF POWER, JACK FELL WHILE CAR WAS ON IT, AND PROBLEMS SHIFTING THE CAR OUT OF PARK.*MR WHEN THE EPC LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOR THE SECOND TIME, THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TWO FLAT DUE TO THE TIRES BEING OVERINFLATED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10053529
8,800 miles · Oct 24, 2003
Electrical System
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME NOW THAT MY 2003 VW 1.8T JETTA WOULD NOT START WHEN I WENT TO LEAVE FOR WORK IN THE MORNING. I UN-LOCK THE DOORS WITH THE REMOTE AND GET IN THE CAR, PRESS IN ON THE CLUTCH AND TURN THE KEY, THE HEADLIGHTS, RADIO, DOOR-CHIMES AND INTERIOR LIGHTS ALL COME ON BUT THE ENGINE WILL NOT TURN OVER AT ALL. I ONL…
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THIS IS THE SECOND TIME NOW THAT MY 2003 VW 1.8T JETTA WOULD NOT START WHEN I WENT TO LEAVE FOR WORK IN THE MORNING. I UN-LOCK THE DOORS WITH THE REMOTE AND GET IN THE CAR, PRESS IN ON THE CLUTCH AND TURN THE KEY, THE HEADLIGHTS, RADIO, DOOR-CHIMES AND INTERIOR LIGHTS ALL COME ON BUT THE ENGINE WILL NOT TURN OVER AT ALL. I ONLY HAVE 8800 MILES ON THE CAR AT THIS POINT IN TIME, THE FIRST TIME WAS ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO AND THE DEALER CAN'T SEEM TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT COULD POSSIBLY BE CAUSING THE PROBLEM EXCEPT THAT BOTH TIME IT HAS BEEN NEAR FREEZING OUTSIDE AND THE CAR HAD SAT OVER-NIGHT. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALER HAD MY CAR FOR THREE DAYS, WITHOUT GIVING ME A LOANER CAR BEFORE THEY TOLD ME TO COME PICK IT UP BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THIS TIME THEY HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR TWO DAYS NOW, AND I HAVEN'T EVEN RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM THEM TO LET ME KNOW ABOUT THE PROGRESS OF MY VEHICLE. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10043527
250 miles · Oct 22, 2003
Electrical System
VEHICLE QUITS RUNNING AFTER BEING DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY FOR A PERIOD OF TIME WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP THEN ATTEMPTS TO TURN LEFT. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10043395
Official recalls
2Jun 13, 2018
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2003 Volkswagen Passat sedan, Jetta, Jetta wagon, Golf, EuroVan, EuroVan Camper Van and EuroVan Chassis vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began May 2, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69X3.
Feb 20, 2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2007, AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN SEVERAL STAGGERED MAILINGS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21, 2007. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
4DP05004 · Engine Stalling
Opened Aug 11, 2005 · Closed Dec 8, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:ignition:module
BY LETTER RECEIVED ON JUNE 24, 2005, MR. RONALD M. STRICKLAND OF RALEIGH, NC, SUBMITTED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE IGNITION COIL PLUGS ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, GOLF AND PASSAT SEDANS.THE PETITIONER ALLEGES THAT HE HAD EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE STALLING EVENTS AS A RESULT OF ONE OR MORE IGNITION COIL PLUGS MALFUNCTIONING ON HIS 2002 VW JETTA SEDAN.AS A RESULT OF THE ENGINE STALLING, THE PETITIONER EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND INCREASED BRAKING EFFORTS WHEN HE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE.AFTER A FEW MINUTES PARKED ON THE SHOULDER HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE OPERATED AT REDUCED POWER.VW ISSUED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN (CSC) ON JANUARY 31, 2003 TO INSTRUCT THEIR DEALERSHIPS TO INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR ANY MALFUNCTIONING IGNITION COIL PACKS AND TO REPLACE THEM AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER.CONSUMERS WERE NOTIFIED TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERSHIPS VIA OWNER LETTERS MAILED OUT ON JUNE 6, 2003.WHILE VW INITIALLY INSTRUCTED THE DEALERSHIPS TO ONLY REPLACE THE MALFUNCTIONING IGNITION COIL PACKS, A REVISED CSC WAS ISSUED TO DEALERSHIPS IN DECEMBER 2003 AND JANUARY 2004, INSTRUCTING DEALERSHIPS TO REPLACE ALL IGNITION COIL PACKS REGARDLESS OF THEIR PERFORMANCE.A REMINDER TO THE DEALERSHIPS WAS SENT BY VW ON APRIL OF 2004.ALTHOUGH THE CONCERNS OF THE PETITIONER COULD THEORETICALLY CREATE A SAFETY PROBLEM, THE RISK IS VERY SMALL, DUE TO THE ENGINE STILL RUNNING ON EITHER 3, 5, OR 7 CYLINDERS.THERE ARE NO REPORTED CRASHES OR INJURIES DUE TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.ONCE DRIVERS ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM (LOSS OF POWER DUE TO ONE OF THE IGNITION COIL PACKS MALFUNCTIONING), DRIVERS ARE ABLE TO TAKE PRECAUTIONARY AND COMPENSATORY MEASURES AND STILL MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THEIR VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, FOUR FIRES WERE REPORTED TO ODI.THESE WERE IGNITION COIL BURNOUTS WITH NO ADDITIONAL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND WERE LOCALIZED ON TOP OF THE ENGINE. DURING THE LAST 24 MONTHS THE NUMBER OF STALL AND DRIVABILITY COMPLAINTS REPORTED TO ODI HAS GREATLY DIMINISHED FROM A PEAK OF 195 IN JANUARY OF 2003 TO ONLY 3 IN AUGUST OF 2005.THIS COINCIDES WITH THE CSC RELEASED BY VW.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
PE04081 · Inadvertent SIDE-AIRBAG Deployment
Opened Dec 16, 2004 · Closed Apr 1, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:side/window
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH SIDE-THORAX AND SIDE-HEAD CURTAIN AIRBAGS TO PROTECT THE FRONT AND REAR OUTBOARD OCCUPANTS IN A SIDE-IMPACT CRASH.THIS INVESTIGATION IDENTIFIED A TOTAL OF 499 REPORTS (482 OWNERS REPORTS AND 17 WARRANTY CLAIMS).THE CRASH SENSING SYSTEM?S ALGORITHM MAY RECOGNIZE CERTAIN NON-CRASH IMPACTS (WHEEL, TIRE AND UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS) AS DEPLOYABLE EVENTS.THE 97 ALLEGED INJURIES WERE MINOR IN NATURE AND CONSIST OF ABRASIONS, BRUISES, EAR RINGING AND HEADACHES.THERE WAS NO ALLEGED LOSS OF CONTROL CRASH AS A RESULT OF SIDE-AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.ODI ALSO OBTAINED COUNTS OF ALLEGED INADVERTENT SIDE-AIRBAG DEPLOYMENTS FROM PEER MANUFACTURERS.THE DATA SHOWS THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE NOT UNIQUE IN BEING SUBJECT TO SUCH ALLEGATIONS.THE COMPLAINT RATE FOR NON-SUBJECT INDIVIDUAL MODEL VEHICLES VARIES WIDELY.THE RATE FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS COMPARABLE TO THREE PEER MODELS, EACH WITH COMPACT CHASSIS/WHEELBASES.ODI HAS NOT IDENTIFIED ANY COMPONENT FAILURE OR MANUFACTURING TREND THAT MAY RELATE TO A COMPONENT OR MANUFACTURING ISSUE.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
EA04010 · Driver Side Front Seat Overheats
Opened Mar 30, 2004 · Closed Oct 21, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
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 NHTSA 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.
PE03052 · Driver Seat Overheats/burns
Opened Nov 19, 2003 · Closed Mar 30, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
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.
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