2005 Volkswagen Passat Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 9%of 148 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 81,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the seats of the 2005 Volkswagen Passat, 9% of the 148 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 81,500 miles. 6 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.
“I started the car and immediately turned on my driver's heated seat. Within 2 mins, smoke started appearing on my left side. I realized my seat was starting to catch fire, so I quickly turned off the vehicle. Luckily, my clothes did not catch fire. However, my heated seat burned a hole complete through the leather. This is a major safety issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10597025, filed 2014-06, 75,000 miles“I drove on a cold day to a meeting and as a result I got a 2nd degree burn on left buttock after leaving seat heater on number five for one hour and twenty minute drive. I am a partial paraplegic thus, I was unaware of temperature and unaware of increased temperature.”
NHTSA complaint #10343491, filed 2010-07, 67,158 miles“(1) turned on drivers-side seat heater while driving (2) smoke began filling the vehicle, and (3) I turned off the heater, but a hole was burned through the left side of the driver's seat and through my left rear pant pocket as well.”
NHTSA complaint #10214213, filed 2008-01, 36,000 miles“Seat heater remained on after switched to the off position. Heat increased to uncomfortable level, in-dash switch became too hot to touch, and smell of burning plastic filled cockpit (no smoke though).”
NHTSA complaint #10290955, filed 2009-11, 160,000 miles“Small hole has burned into the drivers side seat when heated seats activated. When the seat is activated, it burns through to my skin, making heat feature not usable.”
NHTSA complaint #10360125, filed 2010-10, 94,800 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10242997Dec 15, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
Seats: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 8% |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 1 | 0% |
| 2013 | 3 | 0% |
| 2012 | 3 | 1% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% |
| 2007 | 2 | 1% |
| 2006 | 5 | 1% |
| 2005 | 13 | 9% |
| 2004 | 34 | 12% |
| 2003 | 97 | 15% |
| 2002 | 15 | 2% |
| 2001 | 7 | 2% |
| 2000 | 3 | 1% |
| 1999 | 10 | 2% |
| 1998 | 11 | 3% |
| 1990 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2005 Volkswagen Passat
50 complaintsFuel system
23 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
13 complaintsEngine
12 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsTires
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsAir bags
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Volkswagen Passat
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