Seats. Review the 100 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 97 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 76 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

25 crash reports70 fire reports76 injury reports

Seats complaints

100 reports

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39,000 miles · Dec 2, 2004

Seats

WHILE DRIVING SEAT HEATER STARTED TO BURN. CONSUMER FELT THE HEAT THROUGH HER COAT. PULLED OVER AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE LEATHER SEAT WAS MELTED. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10102033

19,000 miles · Nov 29, 2004

SeatsVisibilityFire

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WE PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2003 VW JETTA IN JUNE OF 2003. I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE UNTIL YESTERDAY, 11/28/04. WE COULD SMELL SOMETHING "HOT" AND BURNING. THE DRIVERS SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE HEATED SEATS, THERE IS A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND MY BOYFRIEND BURNT HIS HAND. WITHIN MINUTES OF THAT HAPPENING, THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WINDOW JUST FELL DOWN. I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE. SOMEHOW, THE WINDOW IS NO LONGER IN IT'S TRACK. I HAVE BEEN DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND FINDING MANY MORE INSTANCES WITH THE WINDOWS FALLING AND THE SEATS CATCHING ON FIRE? WHAT IS THE DEAL? THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. I HAVE MY APPOINTMENT TOMORROW WITH OUR LOCAL VW DEALER IN ERIE PA TO SEE WHAT THEY WILL DO TO CORRECT THIS. I WANT BOTH SEATS LOOKED AT....I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN MY CAR ANY LONGER!!!*AK

NHTSA ODI #10100708

31,000 miles · Nov 27, 2004

SeatsFire

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I CURRENTLY OWN A 2003 VOLKWAGEN JETTA AND HAVE BEEN DRIVING IT FOR 2 YEARS. I LIVE IN MICHIGAN AND AS A RESULT USE THE SEAT WARMERS REGULARLY DURING THE COLD WINTER MONTHS. I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM OR ANY COMPLAINTS UNTIL YESTERDAY. I DROVE ABOUT 1 MILE AND HAD THE SEAT WARMER ON 3, WHICH ISN'T THE HIGHEST SETTING, AND MY SEAT CAUGHT FIRE. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, GET OUT, AND PROCEED TO STOMP OUT THE SMALL EMBER BURNING. I KNOW HAVE A DIME TO NICKEL SIZE HOLE IN MY DRIVER SIDE SEAT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10100604

44,500 miles · Nov 21, 2004

SeatsFireInjury

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SUNDAY EVENING I LEFT MY HOUSE TO RUN OUT TO THE LOCAL CONVENIENT STORE WHEN THE DRIVER SEAT OF MY 2003 VW JETTA CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE HEAT SETTINGS RUN AS HIGH AS FIVE, MY SETTING AT THE TIME WAS ON TWO. I FELT HEAT GENERATING BENEATH MY REAR-END AND WHEN I LIFTED MY LEG TO LOOK BELOW ME, I SAW AND FELT THE FLAMES BENEATH ME. TRYING TO PUT THE FIRE OUT, WHICH BY THE TIME I'D GOT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF ROAD HAD BURNED THROUGH MY JACKET AND PANTS, I'D BURNT MY HAND IN AN ATTEMPT TO SQUOOSH THE FIRE BETWEEN THE SEAT AND THE CUSHIONING. NOT A PLEASANT EXPERIENCE. THE SEATS ARE 'VELOUR'. THIS IS MY THIRD AND LAST JETTA. MY PREVIOUS JETTA HAD THE HEATED 'LEATHER' SEATS PACKAGE AND I'D NEVER HAD THIS EXPERIENCE. THE DEALER WAS KIND ENOUGH TO REPLACE THE HEATING COMPONENTS, CUSHIONING AND SEAT COVER. (SARCASTICALLY SPEAKING) HOWEVER, I DO NOT FEEL CONFIDENT IN MY VEHICLE, MUCH LESS VOLKSWAGEN. VERY DISAPPOINTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10100311

Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2004

Seats

2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLS WITH COLD WEATHER PACKAGE HAD SEAT HEATING ELEMENT BURN HOLE IN SEAT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10098835

24,000 miles · Nov 10, 2004

SeatsFireInjury

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I WAS DRIVING MY LEASED, 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, (EQUIPPED WITH COLD WEATHER PACKAGE), ON A VERY BUSY ROAD IN LATE AFTERNOON ON A COLD AUTUMN DAY JUST OUTSIDE OF BOSTON. I TURNED MY DRIVER SIDE SEAT WARMER ON THE HIGHEST LEVEL, (5) AND IN ABOUT 5 MINUTES I FELT A SHARP PAIN ON THE BACKSIDE OF MY LEFT THIGH AND THOUGHT SOMETHING HAD STUNG ME AT FIRST. I REPOSITIONED MYSELF IN THE SEAT, AND COULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. I LOOKED DOWN AND SAW DARK BROWN SMOKE POURING FROM THE SEAT AND REALIZED THE SEAT WAS ACTUALLY BURNING ME. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE SEAT WARMER OFF, PULLED OVER, (AGAIN IN VERY BUSY TRAFFIC IN WATERTOWN, MA), AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO FIND A DARK BROWN, DIME-SIZED BURN MARK IN THE SEAT!!! THE HEAT ACTUALLY WENT THROUGH THE SEAT AND BURNED A SMALL BROWN MARK INTO MY BLUE JEANS AND SUBSEQUENTLY, LEFT A SMALL WELT ON THE BACKSIDE OF MY THIGH. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR NOW BECAUSE I AM NOT SURE IF THERE ARE OTHER ELECTRICAL DEFECTS WITH THIS CAR THAT MAY PUT MY LIFE, AND MY PASSENGERS LIVES IN DANGER. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP I LEASED THE CAR FROM AND THEY SEEM VERY EAGER TO REPLACE THE SEAT AND TO CLEAR THIS MATTER UP IMMEDIATELY.

NHTSA ODI #10098593

55,330 miles · Nov 9, 2004

SeatsFireInjury

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DURING FIRST USE IN COLD WEATHER TURNED ON HEATING SEAT ON DRIVER'S SIDE AFTER ABOUT THIRTY SECONDS THE CAR BEGAN TO FILL WITH SMOKE, I FELT A SHARP PAIN IN MY LEFT REAR BUTT CHEEK. OPENED THE DOOR & GOT OUT OF THE CAR .REACHED IN AND TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER. NOTED A HOLE IN THE LEATHER SEAT, FOUND ONE IN MY TROUSERS AND A SMALL BURN MARK ON MY BUTT. TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALER, AND THEY ORDERED THE PARTS. AM NOW WAITING TO SEE IF IT WILL BE PAID FOR BY VOLKSWAGEN. THE CAR IS 5000 MILES OVER WARRANTY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10098577

38,000 miles · Oct 26, 2004

SeatsInjury

UPON TURNING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT ELEMENT TO STRENGTH 2 OUT OF 5 A STRONG BURNING ODOR WAS RELEASED AND A SECTION OF THE HEATING ELEMENT PROCEEDED TO BURN THROUGH THE SEAT COVER AND SLIGTLY BURNED MY LEG. I TURNED OFF THE HEATING ELEMENT TO STOP THE PROBLEM AND AM BRINGING THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTM…

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NHTSA ODI #10096421

37,000 miles · Oct 15, 2004

SeatsFireInjury

HEATED SEAT WARMER ON DRIVERS SIDE FRONT SEAT OF MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA CAUGHT FIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING, BURNING BOTH THE SEAT AND MY BODY. NO REPAIR AS OF YET.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10095840

62,500 miles · Oct 12, 2004

Seats

THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT PROBLEM WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. *JB. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10096630

Official recalls

18V406000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jun 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.

07V063000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

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

DP05004 · 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.