All Investigations » Investigation EA04010

  Defect Investigation of Driver Side Front Seat Overheats

Investigation of Driver Side Front Seat Overheats

Subject: Driver side front seat overheats
Components covered:
  • Front seats assembly seat heater/cooler
Investigations Summary: This investigation was opened on Mar. 30, 2004. It was closed on Oct. 21, 2004. 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.
Vehicles Affected by this investigation:
  • 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
  • 2003 Volkswagen Jetta

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