2003 Volkswagen Passat seats problems
The 2003 Volkswagen Passat has 98 seats complaints filed with NHTSA — 12% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.
98
Seats complaints
12%
Share of year
2
Crash-involved
0
Related recalls
Seats complaints by year
What owners report
“SEAT HEATER IN 2003 VW PASSAT WAS TURNED ON. APPROX. 3 MINUTES LATER THE HEATER BURNED MY JEANS, AND MY SKIN. I LOOKED DOWN TO SEE WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND SAW SMOKE COMING OUT OF MY SEAT. I TURNED THE SEAT HEATER OFF AND EXTINGUISHED THE SMOLDERING SEAT. WENT TO VW DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAD TO ORDER…”
Common questions
How many seats complaints does the 2003 Volkswagen Passat have?
NHTSA has 98 complaints about the 2003 Volkswagen Passat seats — 12% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Related
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.