VW Transporter Seat Heater Fix: DIY vs Workshop Options

Had the exact same issue with my 2011 VW Caddy. As someone with moderate car repair experience, I can say seat heating problems are quite common in these models. The thermal sensor in my driver seat failed completely, causing the temperature control system to show error codes. Initially thought it was just a loose connection, but the workshop diagnosed a defective heating mat in the seat cushion. The repair involved removing the seat cover and replacing the entire heating element assembly. Total cost was 390€ including parts and labor. The workshop completed the work in about 3 hours. Since the fix, the seat heating has worked flawlessly. To better assist with your specific case, could you share: Which seat is affected (driver, passenger, or both)? Does the heating switch on at all before showing the error? Have you noticed any physical damage to the seat? Do you get any specific error codes? The heating repair process can vary between different VW models, so these details would help determine if your issue is similar to what I experienced.

After 130000km of total mileage, my workshop found the seat heater was actually still functional, but the thermal sensor had failed. This caused the system to falsely detect overheating and shut down. The fix only required replacing the temperature sensor assembly, not the entire heating element. Total repair cost was 180€ for parts and labor. Much cheaper than replacing the complete seat warmer system. My last service was 2 months ago and they confirmed the seat heating system is now working perfectly. I suggest getting the sensor tested first before assuming you need major repairs.

Thanks for sharing your experience. This matches what I discovered after further diagnosis on my Caddy. Initially, automotive repair shops often assume a complete heating element failure, but the thermal sensor is a common failure point in these VW models. The temperature control issues can be misleading since the system shuts down as a safety measure when it cant get accurate readings from the sensor. The heating repair ended up being simpler and more cost-effective than expected in both our cases. My workshop also mentioned they see this sensor issue frequently in VW seat warmers after about 100000-150000km. Good to confirm the heating element itself often stays functional, while the sensor is the actual culprit. For anyone else reading, worth getting the sensor checked first before authorizing a complete seat heater replacement. Could save several hundred Euro on unnecessary repairs.

Thanks everyone for the helpful advice about VW seat heating issues. Good to know the thermal sensor is often the main problem rather than the complete heating element. The diagnosis was spot-on in my case. Was quoted 650€ for a full seat heater replacement initially, but after reading these posts I insisted on having just the temperature control sensor checked first. Workshop found the sensor was faulty and fixed it for 180€ total. The seat heating has worked perfectly for the past 2 months since the repair. Really glad I didn't unnecessarily replace the entire system. Will definitely remember this if I ever have similar problems with the passenger seat warmer in the future. Important lesson learned: Always start with the simpler fix before assuming major automotive repairs are needed. Getting a proper diagnosis of the thermal components saved me quite a bit of money in this case.