(beware) burning of the heated rear seats

[neckarsulm]

I've seen a heated seat element burn through the fabric of a cloth Mk5 Golf GTI seat and scorch the drivers clothing.

[asam_x]

Passat B5's have the same problem. Its on the vwaudiforum. I would pull the plug from the switch or the seat.

[chunky79]

Do you know what the problem is then?

[johnny11]

Someone from audi safety phoned me today giving me a bit if spill, so I had my little say, and they want the car from next Wednesday to investigate at their cost, but I did tell him that I'm not expecting to pay anything after the diagnostics has been done and for the repair. They are also supplying me with a audi UK car in the meantime.

[Shoppinit]

Sounds like they are taking it seriously.

[chunky79]

Great news so far then.

[cfcdoc]

Someone from audi safety phoned me today giving me a bit if spill, so I had my little say, and they want the car from next Wednesday to investigate at their cost, but I did tell him that I'm not expecting to pay anything after the diagnostics has been done and for the repair. They are also supplying me with a audi UK car in the meantime.

As they should....

[philroach]

audi uk RS6 i hope ?????

[neckarsulm]

Do you know what the problem is then?

I thought it was to do with the previous owner being quite large and twisting the element creating a sharp bend in the element which caused higher resistance and thus too much heat.
Unlikely on the rear seats of an RS6 I'd have though unless a child seat had caused it maybe?

[chunky79]

That is a good call. I'm pretty suprised Audi are doing anything, if it was me i wouldn't have expected it due to the car being so old.
Johnny, are they going to replace the alcantara?

[johnny11]

When my audi dealer phoned me yesterday, the service lady told me when Audi UK phoned them they didn't know how they are going to deal with this. But I'm going keep the pressure on them until they seem this from a customer point of view.

[cfcdoc]

That is a good call. I'm pretty suprised Audi are doing anything, if it was me i wouldn't have expected it due to the car being so old.
Johnny, are they going to replace the alcantara?

Last thing audi want is a personal injury claim because their heated seats didnt switch off( there has to be a failproof safety cut out) and gave someone 3rd degree burns on their arse and back. They would then need to issue a recall of all cars with that mechanism in and rectify the fault.

Publicity they dont need.

If the heated seats are a serviceable item that needs regular checking and the owner failed to maintain the car to the recommended intervals and/or recommendations then audi have a case but this isnt a brake that has failed because it hadnt been checked, it isnt a car that has failed its mot being driven on the road.

It is a luxury item that could arguably perish but should never harm, thats the crux.

If it was my child sat on that seat and it was only the fact that she was awake that prevented a hospital admission and/or skin grafts( doomsday scenario I know) I`d take it as far as I could.

[imacool]

If it was my child sat on that seat and it was only the fact that she was awake that prevented a hospital admission and/or skin grafts( doomsday scenario I know) I`d take it as far as I could.

Why would you do that? Money? Publicity? Ban on the rear seat heating systems?

[johnny11]

I thought i would just see how hot the seat was getting today so here are the results from a cushion.

[philroach]

I thought i would just see how hot the seat was getting today so here are the results from a cushion.