Touran Seat Heater Failure: Quick Diagnostic Guide

Had the same heating element failure on my Golf GTI 2014 last winter. The seat heating stopped working suddenly, similar to your symptoms. Initial diagnosis revealed a broken heating mat inside the seat cushion, not just a sensor issue. The seat heating repair required removing the entire seat cover and replacing the heating element assembly. This was more complex than expected since the heating mat is integrated into the seat padding. The temperature control module tested fine, but the heater failure was due to wire breaks in the heating element itself, a common weak point in these seats after regular use. The repair shop had to order a specific replacement heating mat compatible with the seat type. This turned out to be a serious repair requiring specialized knowledge, as improper installation can damage both the new heating element and the seat airbag sensors. The work took about 4 hours since they had to carefully disassemble the entire seat. Worth checking if your warranty covers this, as its a known issue with some VW models. Would recommend getting it properly diagnosed at a shop familiar with VW seat heating systems rather than attempting DIY repairs, given the complexity and safety aspects involved.

Thank you for sharing your experience with the Golf GTI seat heating problem. Your repair process sounds exactly like what my Touran might need. I am preparing for the worst case after reading about the heating mat and seat cushion replacement. Can you recall approximately how much the total repair cost? Also wondering if you have had any temperature control issues since the heating element was replaced? Really helps to know these details before I book it in.

Since my last post about the Golf GTI seat heater problem, I got the repair done and can confirm the full cost was 390€ for replacing the heating element. The price included removing the seat cushion and installing a new heating mat. The seat heating has worked flawlessly since the repair, no temperature control issues at all. The new heating element provides consistent warmth across all settings, actually working better than before it failed. The automotive repair shop did a great job ensuring the seat heater was properly integrated into the existing controls. If your Touran shows similar symptoms, you are probably looking at comparable repair costs. The work involved is basically the same since both cars use similar seat heating systems. Getting it fixed by a qualified shop is worth the investment, especially considering the complexity of modern seat heater installations.

Thanks everyone for the detailed feedback. I finally got my Touran seat heating fixed last week. The thermal sensor was actually fine, but just like mentioned, it was the heating element that needed replacement. Took it to a certified shop specializing in VW repairs. Total cost came to 420€, bit more than expected but they had to order a specific heating mat for my model. The entire seat cushion had to come apart to access the broken heating element. Job took about 5 hours total but the results are great. Seat heating now works perfectly across all temperature settings. Shop also checked the wiring and control module while they were at it, all tested good. Definitely worth paying for proper repair rather than trying cheaper alternatives. Having working seat heat again makes winter driving so much more comfortable.