The contact owns a 2000 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving with the front driver-??s side seat heater activated, the seat became extremely hot. The contact started smelling a burning odor coming from the seat. The contact felt a hole in the seat, which burned the contact's middle finger. The contact immediately pulled over and turned off the vehicle. The contact-??s back started burning due to the extreme heat of the seat back. Upon inspection, the contact discovered a hole in his jacket and approximately four holes that had formed in the front driver seat due to the seat heater failure. The contact was not treated for the burns to his back. The contact stated that two dealers were notified of the failure but neither provided immediate assistance. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 489,000.

- Port Angeles, WA, USA

For two days, I smelled an odor such as a starched iron in my car. I turned the heated seats of for a few days. Today I turned it back on and the smell came back. I took my jacket off and in one part of the seat, my back was burning. The drivers heated seat in my 2000 Volkswagen Jetta burned through into the exterior. The heated seat caused two holes in my seat and a large brown burnt stain. If I had not discovered this, there is a possibility it would create much more damage.

- Worth, IL, USA

Driving car, using seat heater, started smelling burning smell. When I was able to stop, the leather seat had burned. I am not sure what would have occurred if I had not turned the seat heater off when I did (fire, burn me). Went to dealer today, they said that there was no recall for my vehicle and I would have to repair myself. I feel this is a safety issue, not a wear and tear issue and VW of America should replace/repair at their cost.

- Bellevue, WA, USA

(2) the seat warmer on the driver's seat failed and burned through the seat covering. The heater left a burn on my pants the size of a dime. This also caused me some discomfort. (3) I contacted VW of America and they instructed me that I would have to bring the car in and have it fixed at my expense. I own a 2000 VW Jetta.

- Manchester, NH, USA

I started noticing a burning smell in the car when I turned on the heated seats and the drivers side seat would get very hot, even when set on a low setting. One day I decided to try it out to see if it was working properly or not and the heat burnt holes through the material covering the seat.

- Stockport, OH, USA

1) I'm not exactly sure when the incident occurred, see #2 and you will understand why. 2) today I found that there was some kind of short circuit in the drivers side seat. It left a pea-sized burn in the upholstery. Luckily, I use a small driving pillow for my lower back which bore the brunt of the fire instead of my butt. I had found the pillow was stuck to the seat, and when I pulled it off the burn was revealed. The pillow was damaged. 3) I have done nothing to correct the failure as of yet. I am researching my options to determine if the manufacturer will replace it for me.

- New York, NY, USA

Passenger's side seat heater had a cigarette size burn hole in it. While driving consumer smelled a burning odor, which became stronger as time progressed. Also, smoke came from the seat. When heater was turned off the smell and the smoke ceased. Vehicle was taken at the dealership.

- Hendersonville, TN, USA