NHTSA Complaint #11682476 — 2014 VOLKSWAGEN EOS

The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen EOS. The contact stated that while operating, a burning odor was present inside the cabin of the vehicle. Later, while operating the vehicle, the front driver's side seat became extremely hot, causing the driver's back and legs to become burned. The contact indicated that the burn injuries would later require medical treatment. The contact indicated that the sweater worn was also charred, and a small burn hole was present in the sweater. The contact discovered a burn hole and exposed heater filament on the back section of the front driver's seat and a burnt section on the seat cushion of the driver's seat. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who determined that the seat temperature had reached 163 degrees while the seat heater was activated. The contact was advised that the seat needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and authorized to have the back section of the seat replaced. The back section of the seat was replaced the bottom section of the seat was not replaced. The dealer also advised that the front passenger side seat had experienced the same overheating failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.