2007 MERCEDES BENZ GL450 Seats Problems

The contact owns a 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, he felt a sharp pinch coming from the driver’s side seat. Upon further inspection, the contact’s husband noticed an abnormal hole with smoke coming from the driver’s side seat. There was no visible fire present. No medical attention was sought. No warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

Mileage: 190,000

The contact owns a 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL450. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH in the rain, there was an abnormal smoke odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle then started filling up with smoke. The contact checked and became aware that the back of the front driver's seat was on fire. The contact was able to pull over and extinguish the fire with his hand. The contact sustained a little burn to his hand, but medical attention was not sought. The Fire Department was not contacted. Neither a Police nor Fire report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the seat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 59,050.

Mileage: 59,050

ON NOVEMBER 17, 2020, I TURNED MY DRIVER SEAT HEATER AND SUDDENLY SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES DRIVING I DECIDED TO TURN OF THE HEATER, THE BURNING SENSATION ON MY BACK WAS INTENSE. ONCE I PARKED, I NOTICED A HOLE IN MY SEAT THE SIZE OF A QUARTER! I CHECKED MY CLOTHING AND NOTICED IT MELTED THE ELASTIC PART AT THE BOTTOM MY JACKET.

Mileage: 96,382

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES-BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT AND HER COAT. AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR WAS DETECTED AND FLAMES APPEARED. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO EURO MOTORCARS BETHESDA (7020 ARLINGTON RD, BETHESDA, MD 20814, (301) 986-8800) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

Mileage: 83,000

HEATING ELEMENT IN DRIVERS SIDE DEFECTIVE. THE CAR SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. MERCEDES REFUSES TO FIX UNDER WARRANTY. WILL ONLY COVER 25% OF A 1400$ REPAIR. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE DAMAGE DONE TO THE SEAT.

Mileage: 130,000

TL-CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES GL 450. CONTACT LOOKED ONLINE FOR RECALL FOR VEHICLE.MILEAGE ON VEHICLE IS 99,801. CONTACT WAS GOING 66MPH AT TIME WHEN DRIVERS SEAT CAUGHT FIREAND CONTACT WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. MERCEDES HEATED SEATS RECALL FOR SEAT OVERHEATING AND HOLE BURNING IN DRIVERS SIDE SEAT. 0 RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS VIN

Mileage: 99,801

WHILE DRIVING 2007 MERCEDES GL450 WITH MY WIFE, AFTER DRIVING FOR 1 MILES FROM OUR HOME WITH FRONT SEAT HEATING I FELT BURN AT MY BACK AND THEN MY WIFE SAW SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE SEATS, WE STOPED THE CAR AND SAW DRIVE SEAT WAS BURNING AND MADE A QUARTER SIZE HOLE IN THE SEAT, I TALKED TO MERCEDES BENZ OF PLANO BUT THEY DIDN'T HAVE A CLUE. EVEN NOW IF I TURN IT ON IT WILL CATCH FIRE -

Mileage: 145,000

WE WERE DRIVING ON SAN VICENTE BLVD IN BEVERLY HILLS, MY HUSBAND IN THE DRIVER SEAT TURNED ON THE SEAT HEATERS IN OUR SUV AND ABOUT ONE MINUTE LATER WE STARTED SMELLING SOMETHING BURNING AND COULD NOT RIGHT AWAY DISTINGUISH WHERE THE PUTRID SMELL ORIGINATED FROM. MOMENTS LATER THE CABIN STARTED FILLING WITH SMOKE AND THE FUMES BECOME UNBEARABLE WHICH MADE US, MYSELF, HUSBAND AND OUR 1.5YR OLD COUGH. MY HUSBAND NOTICED HIS SEAT WAS HOTTER THAN USUAL, AND QUICKLY REALIZED IT WAS THE SEAT THE FUMES AND SMOKE WERE COMING FROM AND QUICKLY TURNED OFF THE HEATER. WE STOPPED THE CAR, JUMPED OUT, I GRABBED MY SON FROM THE BACK SEAT AND WE FOUND A BURNT HOLE IN THE DRIVER SEAT!!

Mileage: 65,000

2 COMPLAINTS -1 I WAS DRIVING W/OUT A COAT ON & TURNED THE DRIVERS SEAT HEATER ON. THEN I STARTED FEELING A SHARP, STINGING PAIN ON MY BACK AND STARTED SMELLING THE BURNING OF WHAT TURNED OUT TO BE THE SEAT. I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT TRYING TO GET WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A STINGING OR BITING INSECT OFF MY BACK. ONCE I REALIZED IT WAS THE SEAT HEATER, I TURNED THE SEAT HEATER OFF, ONLY TO FIND I NOW HAVE A HOLE IN MY SEAT. IF MERCEDES KNOWS THEY HAVE THIS PROBLEM, AS I HAVE COME TO READ HERE, THEY SHOULD WARN PEOPLE NOT TO USE THE HEATERS TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT AND AVOID HAVING A HOLE IN THE SEAT OR REPLACE THE SEAT AND HEATER. #2 THE FRONT AIR SUSPENSION SHOCK CRASHED ON THE FRONT OF MY CAR. MY CAR SAT IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR OVER A MONTH WAITING FOR MERCEDES TO REENGINEER THE AIR SHOCK. FINALLY, THEY TOLD US TO BUY AN AFTERMARKET AND THEY WOULD INSTALL. SHORTLY THEREAFTER REAR OF THE CAR WOULDN'T LEVEL AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE COMPRESSOR SO THAT WAS REPLACED. BUT STILL THE REAR WAS UNEVEN SO THEY REPLACED BOTH REAR SHOCKS AND STILL THE CAR WOULDN'T LEVEL. THEN THEY HAD THE NERVE TO TELL ME IT WAS THE FRONT AFTERMARKET AND THEY NOW NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AND THE DEALER TOLD ME THE CAR WAS A 2007 SO WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT. I STOPPED GOING TO THE DEALER AND INSTEAD TOOK IT TO A PRIVATE SHOP. THEY REPLACED A SENSOR FOR A MINIMAL CHARGE AND THE CAR HAS BEEN FINE SINCE.

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK THIS MORNING, I TURNED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT WARMER. LESS THAN THREE MINUTES LATER, I NOTICED A STRONG ODOR FOLLOWED BY A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF SMOKE AND HEAT COMING FROM THE SIDE OF THE SEAT NEAREST THE DOOR. I FELT WHAT I THOUGHT WAS SOMETHING POKING ME IN THE LEFT REAR POCKET OF MY PANTS, AND BURNED THE BACK OF MY KNUCKLE CHECKING FOR THE SOURCE OF THE HEAT. I IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF THE HEATER AND PULLED OFF AT THE FIRST SAFE LOCATION. I EXITED THE VEHICLE (A PALL OF SMOKE FOLLOWED ME) AND KNOCKED THE SMOKING EMBERS OUT OF THE VEHICLE (A HOLE LARGER THAN A QUARTER IS BURNED IN THE SEAT). I ALSO NOTICED A HOLE WAS BURNED THROUGH MY PANTS. APPARENTLY, I CAME VERY CLOSE TO SIGNIFICANT PERSONAL INJURY, NOT TO MENTION THE FACT OF POSSIBLE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. WE CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SCHEDULED THE CAR FOR NEXT MONDAY. RESEARCHING INTO THE ISSUE, MINE IS NOT AN ISOLATED CASE AS THERE ARE MULTIPLE CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS AND COMPLAINTS WITH THE NHTSA. OBVIOUSLY, THESE SEATS ARE DEFECTIVE, MERCEDES IS AWARE, THE PASSENGER SEAT IS NEXT AND IS NOT SAFE.

Mileage: 100,101

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED A HOLE IN THE SIDE OF THE SEAT WHILE THE HEATED SEAT FEATURE WAS ENGAGED. THE CONTACT TURNED THE HEATED SEAT FEATURE OFF AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 83,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 83,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT STARTED TO SMOKE AND BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT AND THE CONTACT'S CLOTHING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A SHORTAGE IN THE HEATED SEAT ELEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

Mileage: 60,000

WE HAD LEFT THE HOME - DROVE APPROXIMATELY 3 MINUTES AT 20 MILES AN HOUR WITH THE SEAT HEATER ON. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SEAT STARTED TO SMOKE - IT HAD CAUGHT FIRE. WE HAD A BABY IN THE CAR, WERE TRAVELING DOWN A MOUNTAIN ROAD IN ASPEN. WE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THANKFULLY WERE ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH SNOW FROM A SNOW BANK (WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF IT WAS IN THE SUMMER?). THERE IS A BIG HOLE IN OUR CAR SEAT NOW AND OBVIOUSLY - WE ARE NOT ABLE TO USE THE SEAT HEATERS. I SEE FROM THE REPORTS HERE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES WITH THE SAME VEHICLE -- THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL DONE FOR THIS ISSUE ON THIS VEHICLE AS SOMEONE MAY BE INJURED SEVERELY IN THE FUTURE. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

I WAS DRIVING MY FAMILY TO AN AFTERNOON LUNCH ON THE 5TH OF DECEMBER, 2014, THE DAY WAS CHILLY AND IT WAS A GOOD TIME TO HAVE THE HEATED SEATS ON... AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL AND THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING IN THE AREA (IT WAS ACTUALLY MY SEAT LIGHTING ME ON FIRE), NEEDLESS TO SAY THE SMELL CONTINUED TO GET WORSE AND I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG. I LOOKED FOR A SAFE AREA TO PULL OVER AND IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF THE SMELL, BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD MY SIDE STARTED SMOKING AND LIT ON FIRE. I FRANTICALLY PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND JUMPED OUT. I THEN PROCEEDED TO RIP OF MY JACKET AND PUT OUT THE SMOLDERING SECTION OF IT. AFTER THAT I NOTICED THE CAR WAS STILL SMOKING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVERS SEAT ABOUT TO GO UP IN FLAMES, AT THIS TIME MY WIFE WAS PULLING OUR 2 YEAR OLD TWINS OUT OF THE VEHICLE I GOT BACK TO THE CAR TO TURN IT OFF AND EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. ONCE I WAS ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE SCENE I FOUND THE HEATED SEAT HAD MALFUNCTIONED IN SOME MANNER AND BURNED A NICE HOLE IN THE SEAT WHICH IN RETURN LIT MY JACKET ON FIRE. I WILL GET IT INTO THE SHOP TO HAVE THE FUSE TAKEN OUT AND MAKE THE HEATED SEATS INOPERABLE NOT TAKING ANY CHANCES. *TR

Mileage: 106,000

AFTER STARTING VEHICLE AND TURNING ON SEAT WARMERS, THE CAR SMELLED OF A BURNING SMELL AND I FELT A VERY HOT SPOT ON MY BACK. I TURNED OFF THE SEAT WARMERS TO FIND A HOLE BURNED INTO THE LEATHER. ALL OCCURRED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF 2007 MB GL-450.

Mileage: 115,900

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE SEAT HEATER WAS ACTIVATED AND THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO THE LOWER BACK AND HIP WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PAM UPDATED 4/30/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER AGREED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE IF THE CONSUMER DID NOT FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION. UPDATED 10/23/2015 *JS

Mileage: 96,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE SEAT HEATER WAS ACTIVATED AND THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO THE LOWER BACK AND HIP WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PAM UPDATED 4/30/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER AGREED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE IF THE CONSUMER DID NOT FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION. UPDATED 10/23/2015 *JS

Mileage: 96,000

I WAS IN MY 2007 MERCEDES GL450 AND HAD DRIVEN APPROX. 2 MILES WITH MY FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER ON. I STARTED TO NOTICE A STRANGE SMELL AND SUDDENLY THE CABIN WAS STARTING TO FILL UP WITH SMOKE. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BACK OF MY FRONT DRIVERS SEAT WAS ON FIRE. SNOW WAS ON THE GROUND SO I SCOOPED UP SNOW TO PACK IN THE FIRE/HOT SPOT WHICH HAD BURNED A LARGE HOLE THROUGH THE VINYL AND INSIDE PADDING MATERIAL. I LATER NOTICED THAT MY JACKET HAD BURN MARKS AND A HOLE IN THE EXACT LOCATION OF THE POINT OF THE FIRE. *TR

Mileage: 107,260

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE SEAT HEATERS OVER HEATED CAUSING THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO CATCH ON FIRE. THE CONTACT SUFFERED FROM BURNS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,690.

Mileage: 68,690

DRIVING IN NEW JERSEY ON ROUTE 80 WEST FOR 1-2 MILES THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF BURNT WIRES THAT SMELL SO BAD AND HAVE NOTICED THAT THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER SEAT. IT WENT ON FOR FEW MINUTES WHERE THE WIRES ACTUALLY CAUGHT ON FIRE AND MELTED TOGETHER. STOPPED THE CAR, SHOT THE ENGINE OFF, WITH WINDOWS OPEN AND TRIED TO PULL THE WIRES APART TO PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE.... BUT COULD NOT SEPARATE THE WIRES FROM EACH OTHER. CALLED THE MB DEALER NEAR OUR LOCATION AND BROUGHT THE CAR IN AFTER THE MBUSA SUGGESTED TOWING IT IN AND LATER WE WERE TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE TO THE DEALER. THE LOCAL MB DEALER MANAGER I TALKED TO WAS VERY HELPFUL AND UNDERSTANDABLE AND HE TRIES TO SUPPORT ME THE BEST WAY HE COULD WHERE HE AGREED TO LOOK AT THE CAR AT REDUCED RATE TO HELP OUT TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT THE ISSUE. THE CAR IS AT THE MB DEALER NOW. MBUSA SENT AN EXPERT TO INSPECT THE CAR AT THE MB DEALER AND AFTER A WEEK I WAS TOLD THAT NO ONE KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED. MBUSA RULED OUT ANY CONNECTIONS TO A PREVIOUS WORK DONE MB DEALER ON THE DRIVER SEAT HEATER. I WAS ALSO TOLD, BY MBUSA, THAT THE ISSUE IS AN INTERNAL AND THEY CAN??T DISCUSS THAT WITH ME AND I SHOULD GO THRU MY CAR INSURANCE SINCE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT IT??S APPROX. $12,000 JOB TO REPLACE THE MAIN HARNESS WHICH WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DAMAGE. I HAVE SPENT SO MUCH MONEY TO PURCHASE THIS SUV WHICH SUPPOSED TO BE SAFE AND RELIABLE FOR ME AND MY FAMILY AND NEVER EXPECT THIS TO EVER HAPPEN. PERHAPS WE BROUGHT A LEMON. *TR

Mileage: 140,000

AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD I PUT ON THE SEAT WARMER. APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE LATER AS I WAS ABOUT TO ENTER THE FREEWAY I NOTICED AN ODOR THAT SMELLED LIKE SMOKE. I THOUGHT IT WAS FROM THE ROAD BEING PAVED NEARBY, BUT THEN NOTICED THAT MY SEAT WAS GETTING VERY HOT BY MY LOWER LEFT BACK. I GLANCED DOWN AND SAW SMOKE, LEANED FORWARD AND NOTICED A BLACK HOLE IN THE SEAT THAT WAS GLOWING TOO. I PUSHED THE SEAT WARMER BUTTON OFF AND STARTED HITTING THE SEAT TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. I PULLED OVER AND ALTHOUGH IT WAS STILL SMOKING THE FIRE APPEARED TO HAVE STOPPED. FORTUNATELY, I WAS NOT BURNED TOO BADLY. *TR

Mileage: 92,534

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A FIRE ERUPTED FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FIELD AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

Mileage: 62,000

I WAS DRIVING IN MY SON [XXX] TO HIS SCHOOL IN WAYNE NEW JERSEY WITH MY GL 450 SEATS WARMER TURNED ON IN BOTH THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGER SEATS. I STARTED SMELLING SMOKE & THOUGHT IT WAS FROM OUTSIDE. I OPENED MY WINDOW, AND SMOKE STARTED SWIRLING INSIDE MY CAR AND STARTED GETTING THICKER WITHIN MINUTES. I TRY TO SEARCH FOR THE SOURCE OF THE STRANGE SMELL - BUT NO OBVIOUS CLUE OBSERVED. WHEN I REACHED MY DESTINATION I NOTICED THAT THE SEAT HAS BURNED A HOLE IN MY SUIT JACKET BACK LEFT SIDE. THE HOLE IN THE CAR IS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVERS SEAT. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED MERCEDES BENZ SERVICE AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT I SHOULD DO IF POSSIBLE. I WOULD APPRECIATE DIRECTING ME TO THE APPROPRIATE LINE TO FIX MY SEAT AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OF MY JEEP AND GET COMPENSATED FOR MY SUIT DAMAGE ASAP. *TR

Mileage: 132,000

AFTER ABOUT 3 MINUTES OF HAVING MY DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WARMER ON, WE STARTED TO SMELL BURNING AND THE LEFT SIDE OF MY SEAT GOT VERY HOT, SO I TURNED OFF MY SEAT WARMER. WHEN I GOT OUT OF MY CAR, I NOTICED A BURN HOLE IN MY SWEATSHIRT AND THEN LOOKED AT MY SEAT AND IT HAD A BURN HOLE ON IT ABOUT 1/2-1" IN SIZE. WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I DIDN'T TURN IT OFF IF THIS HAPPENED IN ABOUT 3 MINUTES? *TR

Mileage: 55,000

I WAS TAKING MY KIDS TO SCHOOL IN THE MORNING AND IT WAS COLD SO I TURNED ON MY SEAT WARMER AND IN ABOUT 5 MIN. WE STARTED SMELLING SMOKE AND IT WAS COMING FROM MY DOOR SIDE OF THE CAR AND THE SMOKE WAS PRETTY HEAVY, I WAS ALSO FEELING A BURNING SENSATION ON MY LEFT SIDE. I TURN TO TAKE A LOOK AND THE SEAT WAS ON FIRE AND IT CAUSED A BURN THROUGH THE SEAT, DAMAGING MY CLOTHING. I TURNED OF THE SEAT WARMER AND STOPPED THE CAR AND TOOK THE KIDS OUT FOR SOME TIME. I WAS TO SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR FROM THAT POINT ON. I AM IN TALKS WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WANT TO TAKE PICTURES OF THE SEAT. I HAVE ALSO GOTTEN IN TOUCH WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO SEE IF ANY COVERAGE CAN BE ADDED TO REPLACE MY SEAT. MY CAR HAS ALL ORIGINAL PARTS AND THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED TO ME BEFORE. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

I STARTED MY CAR IN THE MORNING AND TURNED ON MY HEATED SEATS AS THE SEATS BEGIN TO WARM UP I STARTED TO SMELL SMOKE I WAS ITCHING ON MY BACK IN THE AREA OF MY FAR ON MY LEFT SIDE AND I NOTICED THAT THE SEAT WAS BURNING I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF MY HEATED SEATS AND THEN NOTICED THAT I WAS STUCK TO THE SEAT BECAUSE THE SEAT AT CAUGHT FIRE THERE WAS AN APPARENT HOLE IN THE LEATHER ON THE LEFT RIGHT SIDE OF MY DRIVER SEAT WHERE IT WAS BURNING. THIS WAS SCARY AND ALARMING BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW IF IT WOULD CONTINUE TO IGNITE. *TR

Mileage: 88,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE IGNITION, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT WAS ACTIVATED AND SUDDENLY THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR WITH SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE SEAT. A SMALL FLAME WAS ALSO VISIBLE. THE CONTACT PERSONALLY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,366. *TR

Mileage: 106,366

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER BURNED THROUGH SEAT CAUSING SMOKE AND HOLE. *TR

Mileage: 69,300

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES GL450. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER THE FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE EMITTED A STRONG BURNING ODOR FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE CONTACT THEN FELT HER SKIN BURNING. THE CONTACT COASTED ONTO THE SHOULDER AND DISCOVERED THAT HER CLOTHING WAS BURNED AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS EMITTING SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DID NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Mileage: 80,000

DRIVER SIDE SEAT CAUGHT FIRE AFTER HEATED SEAT BUTTON DEPRESSED ON THE DASH. APPROXIMATELY THREE MINUTES HAD ELAPSED WHEN SEAT BEGAN TO SMOKE. THE SMOKE CONTINUED AS THE SEAT CAUGHT FIRE ON THE FRONT LEFT PANEL OF THE BACK PORTION OF THE SEAT. THE FIRE PROJECTED THROUGH THE SEAT, BURNING A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT ABOUT TWO INCHES IN DIAMETER. DRIVER'S SWEATER WAS SINGED BY THE FLAME. *TR

Mileage: 44,396

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE EXHIBIT A STRONG PLASTIC ODOR AND THE DRIVERS SEAT RELEASED SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

Mileage: 57,000

I WAS DRIVING IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD WITH MY GL 450 SEAT WARMER TURNED ON IN THE DRIVERS SEAT. I STARTED SMELLING SMOKE & THOUGHT IT WAS FROM OUTSIDE. I OPENED MY WINDOW, AND SMOKE STARTED SWIRLING INSIDE MY CAR AND STARTED GETTING THICKER WITHIN MINUTES. I PULLED THE CAR OVER TO THE STREET CURB, TURNED MY IGNITION OFF AND DISCOVERED A MELTED HOLE ABOUT THE SIZE OF A QUARTER BURNING & SMOKING. THE SWEATER I WAS WEARING ALSO HAD A MELTED HOLE IN IT. THE HOLE IN THE CAR IS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVERS SEAT. WE CONTACTED MERCEDES BENZ SERVICE HERE IN SAN DIEGO, AND WERE JUST TOLD TO BRING IT IN ON MONDAY - IT HAPPENED ON THURS. MORNING. SO WE ARE WAITING FOR MONDAY, BUT IN THE MEANTIME I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR AND WANT TO REPORT THIS INCIDENT, DUE TO THE EXTREME SAFETY FACTOR OF THE SITUATION, BUT DON'T KNOW WHAT AGENCIES TO CONTACT. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BEEN A MORE DANGEROUS SITUATION AS IT WAS A BURNING ELECTRICAL FIRE. THANK GOODNESS I COULD SAFELY PULL OVER AND TURN OFF THE POWER TO THE CAR. THANK YOU *TR

Mileage: 45,022

DRIVER'S SEAT TURNING FROM GRAY TO YELLOW TO BROWN. WIFE AND I NOTICED BURNING SMELL WHILE USING SEAT HEATER AND NOTICED SEAT IS BURNED. NOTIFYING MERCEDES BENZ. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

I TURNED ON MY IGNITION AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT AND IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO DRIVE. I TRAVELED ABOUT 500 FEET AND STARTED TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. I THOUGHT IT WAS MY NEIGHBOR'S FIREPLACE, SO DROVE LESS THAN 1 MILE BEFORE I FELT INTENSE HEAT ON MY LEFT SIDE AND SAW SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE SEAT. UPON EXITING THE CAR, I SAW THAT MY SEAT WAS ON FIRE. I TURNED OFF THE HEATED SEAT BUTTON AND THE SMOKE AND FLAME DISSIPATED AND THEN DROVE RIGHT TO THE DEALER, WHO ACTED LIKE IT WAS NO BIG DEAL WHATSOEVER AND SAID THIS HAPPENS BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN OF THE WIRING AND IS CAUSED FROM WEAR AND TEAR ON THE WIRING FROM GETTING IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP, I ENCOUNTERED AN MB S320 OWNER WHO CAME IN AT THE SAME TIME I DID WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY SO THE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE US FOR THE REPAIR BUT WE TOLD HIM TO TALK TO HIS MANAGER BECAUSE WE WERE CALLING THE NEWSPAPERS OR THEY WERE GOING TO COVER IT. THEY AGREED TO REPLACE THE HEAT ELEMENT AND THE SEAT BACK BUT REFUSED TO DEAL WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT. THEY HAVE ORDERED THE PART AND ARE SUPPOSED TO CALL US IN 3-4 DAYS WHEN THE PART COMES IN BUT WE'LL SEE IF THAT HAPPENS. THE FIRE ORIGINATED ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT. I'M SHOCKED THAT THE DEALER DIDN'T DISABLE THE HEATING MECHANISM BEFORE WE LEFT THE DEALERSHIP. I GOOGLED THIS ISSUE AND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. I'M NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR, ESPECIALLY WITH MY KIDS AND DOG WHO MAY HAVE TROUBLE ESCAPING A FIRE THAT MAY VERY LIKELY HAPPEN. ALSO, ONCE THE REPAIR IS MADE (USING THE SAME PROTOCOL AS THE CURRENT DEFECTIVE WIRING), SINCE THE CAUSE OF THE SHORT HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED, THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN IN ANOTHER 2 OR SO YEARS. *TR

Mileage: 59,000

I WAS ON MY WAY TO DROP OFF MY DAUGHTER FOR SCHOOL. I STARTED TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING THEN I STARTED FEELING A BURN ON MY SEATING AREA. I PULLED OVER LUCKY I WAS NEXT FIRE DEPARTMENT, MY DAUGHTER AND I GOT OFF THE CAR AS WE GOT OFF THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT WAS ON FIRE. EVERY ONE FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME OUT, THEY DISABLED THE SEAT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *TR

Mileage: 42,000

DRIVING ON HWY WITH MY 3 CHILDREN IN CAR, I FELT AS IF I HAD A STICKER IN MY PANTS. SOMETHING WAS POKING ME. THEN WE ALL SMELT SOMETHING BURNING, WHICH CDF WAS PARKED ON THE SIDE OF HWY SO WE DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THEN MY OLDEST SAID "MOM THERE'S SMOKE IN THE CAR" I LOOKED BACK IN MY REVIEW MIRROR AND SAW THE BACK OF THE CAR FULL OF SMOKE. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE SIDE OF THE HWY AND WE ALL EXITED THE CAR. UPON DOING SO, I GRABBED MY PERSONAL AND IMPORTANT BELONGINGS. NOTICED THE DRIVERS SEAT HAD A HOLE ABOUT THE SIZE OF A NICKEL IN THE BACK PORTION. THEN MY KIDS TOLD ME MY PANTS HAD A HOLE, AND THEN WE NOTICED MY SKIN HAD A BLISTER. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER(60 MILES) RENTED A CAR THAT HELD 7 PASSENGERS, SINCE I WAS ON MY WAY TO PICK MY PARENTS UP FROM THE AIRPORT 2 1/2 HOURS AWAY FROM OUR HOME. MERCEDES DECLINES TO PAY FOR RENTAL CAR, TOOK THEM 20 DAYS TO GET PARTS AND HAVE IT FIXED. I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THE DEALER. THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN ANY HELP SINCE WE PURCHASED THE CAR. *TR

Mileage: 41,428

2007 MERCEDES GL450- TURNED ON SEAT HEATERS AND WITHIN A COUPLE MINUTES SMELT BURNING MATERIAL. DISCOVERED THE SEAT HEATER WAS BURNING A HOLE IN THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER SEAT BACK. TURNED OFF THE SEAT HEATER BUT IT HAD ALREADY BURNED A HOLE ABOUT THE SIZE OF A DIME. TOOK IT IMMEDIATELY TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY STATED THEY HAVE SEEN THE SAME PROBLEM BEFORE. THEY ARE ORDERING A REPLACEMENT SEAT BACK, BUT ARE NOT WILLING TO ADDRESS MY CONCERNS ABOUT THE OTHER SEAT. *TR

Mileage: 24,500

2007 MERCEDES GL450 ON DEC 11 2009 I NOTICED THE SMELL OF SOMETHING BURNING WHILE DRIVING MY SUV. SHORTLY THEREAFTER I FELT AN INTENSE BURNING ALONG MY LEFT LOWER BACK. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. ALONG THE LEFT SIDE BACK OF THE DRIVERS SEAT WAS A 1.5 X 0.5INCH HOLE BURNT THROUGH THE FABRIC. I WAS USING THE SEAT HEATER AT THE TIME. THE INCIDENT DAMAGED MY PANTS AND LEATHER JACKET. *TR

Mileage: 32,000

2007 MERCEDES GL . TURNED ON SEAT WARMER, MINUTES LATER, BOTH PEOPLE IN CAR STARTED COUGHING BECAUSE OF FUMES. DRIVER FELT SOMETHING BURNING, SEAT HEATER BURNED A HOLE IN LEATHER SEAT, DRIVER'S SHIRT AND ON BODY. *TR

Mileage: 37,600

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ GL450. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES, THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE HEATED SEATS. MINUTES LATER, SHE FELT PAIN ON HER REAR. SHE NOTICED THAT THE LEATHER ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT WAS MELTING AND ON FIRE. SHE SAFELY PULLED OVER AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. SHE CALLED THE DEALER AND IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 27,088.

Mileage: 27,088