1998 Volkswagen Passat Seats Problems
10 owner-reported seats complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Owner Complaints (10)
WHILE STARTING OFF FROM A STANDSTILL, I HEARD A POPPING SOUND AND I FLEW BACKWARDS IN MY SEAT. APPARENTLY THE SEAT FRAME MECHANISM FOR MY DRIVERS SEAT FAILED. THE METAL OF THE FRAME, AS IT WAS DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED, FAILED FROM METAL FATIGUE. WHEN IT DID, THERE WAS NOTHING HOLDING THE FRONT OF THE SEAT TO THE FLOOR BOARD. I FLEW INTO THE BACK SEAT, MY HANDS WERE RIPPED FROM THE WHEEL, AND I COULD NO LONGER REACH THE PEDALS. I STRUGGLED TO MANEUVER MYSELF BACK INTO A POSITION WHERE I COULD REGAIN CONTROL OF MY CAR. THANKFULLY, IT WAS VERY EARLY IN THE MORNING, AND THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES OR PEDESTRIANS LOCATED CLOSE TO MY CAR. AS OF THIS POINT, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THE CAR.*JB
THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING AND THE SEAT FLIPPED BACKWARDS CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR.
THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER MALFUNCTIONED AND BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT AND THE DRIVERS COAT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
THE SEAT BROKE FROM THE BASE. THE CONSUMER HAD LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR ALL OF THE MONIES SPENT ON REPAIRS/OTHER CHARGES FOR THE INCIDENT. SCC *JB
CONSUMER STATES AFTER AJUSTING THE HEIGHT OF THE DRIVER SEAT, IT WOULD COME DOWN WHILE DRIVING.THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. NLM
DRIVER'S SEAT FAILED. YD
DRIVER'S SEAT FAILED. YD
DRIVER'S SEAT ROCKS AND MOVES WHILE CAR IS MOVING. MANUFACTURING COMPANY SAYS THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THIS AND THAT ITS "NORMAL". THIS IS NOT NORMAL AND ITS DANGEROUS. IT BECOMES VERY EASY TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR WHILE IT IS MOVING! THE NTSB BOARD HAS A NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS BY OTHER DRIVERS, SO I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE. THIS NEEDS THE COMPANY'S IMMEDIATE ATTENTION AND CORRECTION. IT SHOULDN'T DO THIS FOR ANY REASON.*AK
THE SEATS HEATING ELEMENT IS BROKEN AND APPEARS TO HAVE OVERHEATED LEAVING GRILL MARKS IN THE INNER SEAT COVER LINING. NLM
FRONT SEAT FAILURE CAUSING IT TO MOVE BACK AND FORTH WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES OR ACCELERATING MAKING A POPPING NOISE.