NHTSA Complaint #10443182 — 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA

WHILE DRIVING HOME ON FRIDAY JANUARY 6 AT AROUND 230PM, MY VW JETTA WAGON'S DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER, SET ON "4," OVERHEATED AND IGNITED THE SEAT MATERIAL, WHICH BURNED THROUGH AND BEGAN TO BURN MY PANTS. SMOKE BEGAN TO FILL THE CABIN; LUCKILY I WAS ONLY A FEW BLOCKS AWAY FROM HOME. WHEN THE SMOKE BEGAN, I SMELLED A PLASTIC BURNING SMELL, AND VEERED SHARPLY OFF THE ROAD, THINKING THE CAR MIGHT BURN. I SHUT OFF THE SEAT HEATER CONTROL, THEN DROVE TO MY HOME, ONE BLOCK AWAY. I SHUT OFF THE CAR, GOT A FIRE EXTINGUISHER FROM INSIDE, THEN RETURNED TO THE CAR. THE SMOKE HAD JUST ABOUT STOPPED; A DIME-SIZED BURNED HOLE WAS IN MY SEAT, AS WELL AS A SLIGHT BROWNED AREA ON MY PANTS. I HAVE MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT, AND HAVE FILED A CASE WITH VW OF AMERICA CASE # [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR