2002 Volkswagen Jetta Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 101about this part
- Share
- 14%of 702 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 45,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 101 complaints about the seats of the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta, 14% of the 702 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 45,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 57 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I turned on my seat warmer on the driver side and after a while a burnt smell was notice. I could not find the origin until I went to a store and tried to paid. I took my wallet out and it was stuck to my pants. The wallet had the mysterious smell. I went back to the car and the seat had a big burnt hole on the leather seat. If I had not had my coat and wallet on the left side I could have been electrocuted or caught fire.”
NHTSA complaint #10313579, filed 2010-02, 115,900 miles“My car, a 2002 Volkswagen Jetta was parked and running and the driver seat caught on fire for no apparent reason due to most likely the heating element in the seat. I am filing this complaint because if I was in the car I may have been injured or killed due to the defect. I just want someone to know so that other people are safe in the future.”
NHTSA complaint #10098759, filed 2004-11, 42,000 miles“While driving, noticed the seat heater was unusually hot and felt burning on my leg. I turned the seat heater off, and when I exited the vehicle, noticed two quarter-sized burn holes in the seat and a burn hole in my wool coat. Vw dealer will be replacing the seat, and I have been told that they will compensate me for my coat.”
NHTSA complaint #10108375, filed 2005-02, 37,900 miles“While driving our 2002 volkwagen Jetta, my wife set the seat warmer to 5 (the highest level). She said that she smelled something funny, and then received a minor burn on her left leg. Corrective action was to turn the seat heater to 0 (off). No parts have been replaced pending a response for service from Volkswagen of america, inc.”
NHTSA complaint #10088523, filed 2004-08, 57,850 miles“I have a 2002 Jetta 1.8t. I started driving my car and turned on my seat warmer to 3 and within 30 seconds saw a stream of smoke coming from my seat. I quickly turned off the seat warmer and stopped the car and go out. A hole was burned throught my seat and my jeans that I was wearing were burned as well. I turned it back on for a second and saw a small flame ignited.”
NHTSA complaint #10100405, filed 2004-11, 45,000 milesSeats: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 2% |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 1 | 2% |
| 2019 | 2 | 0% |
| 2017 | 2 | 1% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 8 | 4% |
| 2014 | 3 | 1% |
| 2013 | 2 | 0% |
| 2012 | 2 | 0% |
| 2011 | 3 | 0% |
| 2010 | 3 | 0% |
| 2009 | 9 | 1% |
| 2008 | 6 | 3% |
| 2007 | 11 | 5% |
| 2006 | 25 | 4% |
| 2005 | 3 | 1% |
| 2004 | 22 | 10% |
| 2003 | 100 | 22% |
| 2002 | 101 | 14% |
| 2001 | 27 | 4% |
| 2000 | 17 | 4% |
| 1999 | 7 | 2% |
| 1998 | 1 | 1% |
| 1995 | 5 | 2% |
| 1994 | 6 | 5% |
| 1993 | 1 | 6% |
| 1987 | 1 | 6% |
| 1985 | 1 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
148 complaintsAir bags
108 complaintsEngine cooling
104 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
103 complaintsBrakes
51 complaintsExterior lighting
50 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
45 complaintsFuel system
22 complaintsBody and structure
19 complaintsEquipment
17 complaintsVehicle speed control
17 complaintsTires
15 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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