My Volkswagen Jetta's Seat Got So Hot the Heat Warmer Burned a Hole In the Seat and My Sweater, Guess I Need Pink Seat Covers To Hide the Hole Now

Crank up those heated seats. It's cold outside. 

Imagine a cold morning. There's frost on your car's windows, and you can't wait to start your Volkswagen Jetta and warm it up as fast as possible. Even the engine groans in pain as it finally starts.

Winter driving is not fun. 

The next thing you do is flip the switch on your heated seats to the high setting. Unknowingly, you also flipped the heated seat button on the passenger's seat. You see the lights come on, showing they are turned on, but it doesn't register in your mind because you're in a hurry.

You don't feel any heat yet. It takes forever. 

Finally, you begin to feel the seat warm up your bum. You are thankful you paid extra for the option package with heated seats, mirrors, and windshield wipers. You are proud of yourself.

You head off to work, enjoying your nice, warm car, and you begin feeling too warm. So, you take off your sweater and throw it on the passenger seat. However, you start smelling something burning, and that's when it turns bad.

Here is Haley Stevenson's (@haleyy.stevenson) scary story of what happened next. 

In the short clip, Haley says, "My seat warmer was too warm. I guess I need pink seat covers to hide the hole now," she says with disappointment.

Haley then shows a picture of her white sweater that has been burned and charred black with a hole in it. Her sweater is still smoldering and could have caused a fire. 

The picture also reveals a black hole, the size of a tennis ball, burned in the cushion of the passenger seat. Her sweater is badly burned, and smoke from the mishap lingers in the cabin.

Why did Haley's Volkswagen Jetta's heated seat get so hot that it burned a hole and ruined her sweater? 

To better understand what likely happened to Haley, Progressive Insurance warns owners of cars with heated seats.

Progressive says, "There can be problems with heated car seats despite their luxurious comfort. Here are some of the possible drawbacks to heated car seats."

• Skin problems: If you use your heated seats too often or for too long, it may cause skin rashes, lesions, or burns.
• Fire danger: If you leave the seat on for too long, and it gets too hot or malfunctions, it could even start a fire.
• Damage to upholstery: Over time, the heat can cause leather upholstery to crack and fabric seat covers to rip, which may require upholstery repair.
• Impacts gas mileage: Heated seats also use additional engine power, which lowers fuel economy.

Haley is shaken from the mishap but tries to make light of the situation. 

She jokes that now she will have to buy "pink" seat covers to cover up the large burned hole in her seat. 

That brings up another question. Should you install seat covers on heated seats?

Seat Cover Solutions says, "Taking some essential safety precautions can ensure that your seat covers don't pose any threat when used with heated car seats. Here is a list of guidelines to follow for such scenarios."

• Make sure that the seat cover you purchase explicitly mentions compatibility with heated seats. Do not assume compatibility based solely on appearance or material.
• Confirm that proper installation procedures are followed, as improper fitting may obstruct heat transfer, cause uneven heating, or, in extreme cases, result in overheating.
• Avoid using thicker-layer seat covers, as this may insulate the heated seat and reduce its functionality. Stick with covers that are thin yet durable and efficient as heat transmitters.
• Be cautious when using seat covers made from materials that may melt or burn when exposed to high temperatures. While rare, this could pose a fire risk.

My seats don't warm up enough. 

Now, imagine the opposite scenario. Imagine doing your research and finding the perfect car. When you purchase the new vehicle, you make sure it has heated seats because they are high on your desired features list. However, when you go out on a cold morning and turn the heated seat switch on, the seats do not get warm enough. 

That's what happened to Donna.

Check out another story from Donna, who purchased a 2025 Subaru Forester recently, and she has the opposite problem. Her heated seats do not warm enough, even on the High setting. 

Donna said, "I have a 2025 Subaru Forester Sport. I am very disappointed in the heated seats. They only heat up to 90 degrees! I contacted Subaru headquarters, and they said it is a safety feature. I'm so disappointed. I can barely feel the heat on high! Anyone who values heated seats should be aware of this. They, Subaru, told me no fix. Ugh! Read my report on Donna's dilemma here. 

It's important to note that Subaru did come out with a technical service bulletin to fix the new Forester's insufficient heated seat issue. 

Conclusion.

Haley's sweater likely burned because of the type of its material. 

A report from Sikker Hverdag says that cotton, linen, and viscose are the most flammable. 

They say, "Cellulose fibers, like cotton, linen, and viscose, easily catch fire, and the flames spread rapidly if the textile has not been impregnated with a flame retardant. The thinner the fabric, the more easily it burns. Thin fabrics made from cellulose fibers can actually be compared to paper, which is also cellulose-based."

So, use those heated seats to your heart's content when it's cold. However, leave the heated seat off if no one is in the passenger seat. Also, avoid using the seat to warm your lunch on your break. 

One commenter said, "My friend had seat warmers and used them to warm up her food when she ate lunch in her car."

Do you know about those Styrofoam food containers? They will burn much quicker than a sweater. It's not a good idea.

Do you have a heated seat story gone wrong? If so, we'd love to hear from you. Click the red Add New Comment link below and share your experience. Your story could help others avoid similar situations.

Check out this unbelievable story.

I Bought a 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander, It’s a $60,000 Car and My Navigation Doesn’t Work, Now Toyota Says I Have To Pay More For Their App For It To Work. Here is Tori's amazing story.

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Haley Stevenson