2001 Volkswagen GTI Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 5%of 74 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 99,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the seats of the 2001 Volkswagen GTI, 5% of the 74 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 99,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“In my 2001 GTI glx vr6 the drivers side heated seat, heats up so much that it burns my legs, actual red burn marks! Even if turned down to the lowest setting the seat will burn me. I know in my friends 2002 jetta they had their heater in the seat replaced by vw for the same issue free of charge. I have been to vw and they say it's not covered. I want to use the heated seat but never trust it to not burn me.”
NHTSA complaint #10318608, filed 2010-03, 110,000 miles“Driver's side heated seat burned a hole through seat cover and my pants, was able to turn the switch off without crashing. Volkswagen says I can pay for the diagnosis and repair as the item is not covered under warranty apparently as my car is a 2001, newer models with same seats are covered. I will be looking at repairing it myself if not covered.”
NHTSA complaint #10144553, filed 2005-12, 60,000 miles“The heated leather seats in my 2001 Volkswagen GTI vr6 overheat and burnt the seat material. I often turned off the heaters as I felt they were getting too hot. The heaters ruined the seat material which I had to replace.”
NHTSA complaint #10212730, filed 2007-12, 142,500 miles“The contact owns a 2001 Volkswagen GTI. The contact stated that the heated front passenger seat caught fire and burned through the passengers jacket. The contact did not have the vehicle inspected or repaired. The contact stated that he was no longer utilizing the heated seat function and the failure had not recurred since. The failure and current mileage was 89,000. Remailed 05/12/11”
NHTSA complaint #10372718, filed 2010-12, 89,000 milesSeats: other model years
Other parts of the 2001 Volkswagen GTI
21 complaintsAir bags
19 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
10 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsEquipment
4 complaintsTires
3 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsSteering
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Volkswagen GTI
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology