2003 Volkswagen Jetta air conditioning & heating problems

This car is equipped with electric seat heaters. After driving this vehicle for approximately 25 miles, the driver seat heater burnt through the seat, burning my butt. The seat quit burning after turning the heater off. I have spoke to two VW dealers and VW directly and it sounds like this is not an isolated incident by any means.

I was driving my leased, 2003 volkswagen jetta, (equipped with cold weather package), on a very busy road in late afternoon on a cold autumn day just outside of boston. I turned my driver side seat warmer on the highest level, (5) and in about 5 minutes I felt a sharp pain on the backside of my left thigh and thought something had stung me at first. I repositioned myself in the seat, and could smell something burning.