2004 Volkswagen Jetta Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 22about this part
- Share
- 10%of 231 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 22 complaints about the seats of the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta, 10% of the 231 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles. 12 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 the driver side seat heater and it caught fire burning a hole in the seat and burning me. I was driving at the time in the city. I pored water all over me and the seat and turned the heater off.”
NHTSA complaint #11081853, filed 2018-03, 91,000 miles“The driver's side heated seat in our 2004 vw Jetta tdi became extremely hot near the driver's right thigh and there was a electrical burning smell in the car. My wife, who was driving at the time, had a minor surface burn as a result. Fortunately, she was wearing jeans, which prevented it from being worse.”
NHTSA complaint #10381193, filed 2011-02, 51,000 miles“Seat warmer on driver's seat in 2004 vw Jetta wagon overheated until it felt like it was going to catch on fire. Velour seats show impression of heating element. I noticed for about a month that it was very hot and the last time I used it I noticed a smell. I turned it off immediately and had it disconnected by a mechanic to prevent a fire.”
NHTSA complaint #10213074, filed 2007-12, 53,000 miles“Last year I was driving home from school one night it was cold out so I turned on my heated seat. My seat started to get very hot in an isolated area so I turned it remembering the recall I received in the mail. The recall stated that the heating element in the seat could be faulty and the seat could catch fire. I called my dealership and they expressed to me that the recall was expired! What how could some thing that could cause injury have an expiration date? …”
NHTSA complaint #10475788, filed 2012-09, 90,000 miles“Noticed drivers heated seat was very hot on left thigh. Yesterday I smelled smoke, and put my hand under my leg. Burned hand. Turned off heated seat and pulled over. Noticed a burn on fabric.”
NHTSA complaint #10373755, filed 2011-01, 65,000 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 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
37 complaintsFuel system
37 complaintsElectrical system
36 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
35 complaintsAir bags
21 complaintsBrakes
12 complaintsEngine
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsExterior lighting
9 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
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