Burning bum.. please help!

nomorespending

Hi all,
I know this sounds really silly but I'd be greatful of any advice. Today I went out in my vw passatt, with the weather as it is i put the heated seat on . By the time i got 5 mins down the road my seat was on fire, i nearly crashed and had to jump out of the car with the leather smouldering and smoking. The car stinks now of burnt rubber .. Once it had stopped i took it to my garage who took the fuse out so i can drive it safely. I bought it 3 years ago as an approved car ( its 53 reg) from a VW dealership. I know its not under guarentee but wondered whether i have any right to complain to VW or the dealers as surely my seat shouldn't do this.... hope i'm in the right forum... would be really greatful if anyone can offer any advise.. my seat now has a hole in it - should i claim on my insurance? complain to VW (is there any point) , complain to VW Dealership? Thanks in advace,,,

kipperman

It might be worth trawling the internet to see if this is a common problem with the VW: if so, and you have used the main dealer for servicing etc then it might be worth speaking to VW and see if there is any possibility of good will.

Realistically though, your car is 6 years old and I suspect that you are probably on your own. Insurance to my knowledge is not likely to pay out on this type of thing, unless of course your car cremated itself due to this fault.

I am assuming that this was not the result of a weapons grade vindaloo being consumed the night before......................:D

pinkshoes

The exact same thing happened to my brother, but it was an older VW Golf, and the seat heater in the passenger seat burnt a hole in his (long) coat!

I have a hunch that this is a known VW problem, with the heated seat wiring drawing too much current and overheating.

It's not the dealer's fault, but perhaps write to VW and complain.

EDIT: http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/4312417/detail.html - yup, seems like a common problem. That's an american site, but there msut be an English version too.

4743hudsonj

I have actually had two instances of this being made known to me in my line of work.

One partially solved his by putting a lower amp fuse in. He was forever replacing the fuses but at a couple of pence a time, and seeing as he got nowhere with VW, it was the best option available to him.

Laz123

I think this is something Watchdog may be interested in.

nomorespending

Thanks for your advice - bit of an update.. spoke to VW who said contact the dealer and book in for an assessment of how the fire started so have booked it in for thursday. The dealer said once they have deturmined the cause VW may contribute to a new seat as a good will gesture - of course they may not and i'll be 47 pounds out of pocket as this is how much the assessment will cost!!! we'lll wait and see.. I won't be having a new seat if i have to pay for one... but will be interesting to see what they do.

nomorespending

Having had my car for over a week in the VW dealership VW have agreed to completely replace the seat free of charge. The dealership have been amazing - ringing every couple of days to update me. I expected them to say no way as its 6 years old but well worth taking it in after all as it will be ready and fixed for me on Tuesday!.

bazster

nomorespending wrote: »

Having had my car for over a week in the VW dealership VW have agreed to completely replace the seat free of charge. The dealership have been amazing - ringing every couple of days to update me. I expected them to say no way as its 6 years old but well worth taking it in after all as it will be ready and fixed for me on Tuesday!.

I'm not surprised. I had a problem with the engine electronics on a three-year-old Vauxhall, which the garage charged £800 to fix (most of which was the cost of a new ECU).

I complained to Vauxhall customer services, who refunded the entire £800 without quibble.

fluffnutter

I don't like having a warm car seat; makes me feel like I've p1ssed myself.

bazster

fluffnutter wrote: »

I don't like having a warm car seat; makes me feel like I've p1ssed myself.

I think the OP was feeling more like he'd had a scorcher of a vindaloo the night before!

fluffnutter

pinkshoes wrote: »

... burnt a hole in his (long) coat!

LOL. Perhaps pinkshoes' brother went one further and had a phal! That's one serious !!!!!!.