NHTSA Complaint #11375133 — 2002 AUDI ALLROAD

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND FELT MY BACK IN PAIN/BURNING. THE HEATED SEAT ELEMENT HAD CAUGHT THE SEAT BACK ON FIRE AND BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT AND BURNED MY SKIN. LUCKILY, I WAS ON A CITY STREET WITH A SPOT ABLE TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY, TURN OFF THE CAR, AND SMOTHER THE FLAME WITH MY JACKET. I THINK THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. HAD I BEEN DRIVING AND UNABLE TO PULL OVER THIS WOULD HAVE BURNED ME MUCH WORSE OR CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I AM EVEN MORE CONCERNED BECAUSE WHEN I REPORTED IT TO AUDI ALL THEY HAD TO SAY WAS IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY AND ASK ME TO PAY $190 TO DIAGNOSE IT. I DON'T THINK 'OOPS IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY' COVERS MY SEAT CATCHING ON FIRE AND BURNING ME WHILE I'M DRIVING. THIS COULD HAVE EASILY BECOME A DEADLY INCIDENT IN DIFFERENT DRIVING CONDITIONS! HOW IS THIS OK?! THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY HAZARD. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY!