46 of the 303 complaints filed about the Mercedes Benz C320 are about the seats — 15% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2002.
46
Complaints
15%
Share of all complaints
0
Crashes
3
Fires
SEATS
WHILE DRIVING, MY SON WAS USING THE HEATED SEAT FUNCTION AND NOTICED A BURNING SMELL, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT WAS SMOKING, WHICH BURNED A HOLE IN THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE SEAT BACK AND ALSO BURNED A HOLE IN THE BACK OF MY SONS SWEATSHIRT.
NHTSA complaint #11394282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE WHICH CAUSED THE BATTERY TO DRAIN. THE MODULE WAS UNPLUGGED TO PREVENT THE BATTERY FROM BEING DRAINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.
NHTSA complaint #11320137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
SEATS CONTROL MODULE
NHTSA complaint #10919260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
MY BATTERY KEEPS DRAINING. WHEN I LOOK AT THE DISPLAY SCREEN IT ONLY STATES THAT THE FRONT RIGHT LIGHT IS OUT. WHEN I HAD TWO MECHANICS LOOK AT IT AND THEY STATED THAT MY BATTERY IS BEING DRAINED DUE TO MY SEAT FUNCTION NOT WORKING PROPERLY. AFTER NOT USING MY BATTERY FOR HOURS IT DIES. I KEEP HAVING TO JUMP IT. MY BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED LESS THAN A MONTH AGO SO I KNOW THE BATTERY IS NOT AN ISSUE. MY DISPLAY SCREEN GIVES ME A FEW DIFFERENT MALFUNCTIONS AND THAN ONE MOMENT IT DISPLAYS NO MALFUNCTIONS. AFTER CHARGING MY CAR AND THAN LEAVING IT A STRANGE CHURPING SOUND GOES OFF IN MY CAR CAUSING MY BATTERY TO DIE AGAIN. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN MY CAR HAS DIED IN AT NIGHT IN STRANGE AREAS AND I HAVE TO ALONE AND UNSAFELY JUMP MY CAR AND SIT UNTIL MY JUMPER PROVIDES MY BATTERY WITH ENOUGH JUICE TO START MY CAR. WHEN I AM DRIVING MY FUNCTIONS STOP WORKING BECAUSE MY BATTERY ISN'T STRONG ENOUGH TO POWER THE EVERYTHING. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS.
NHTSA complaint #10885314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ C320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT CONTROL MODULES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA complaint #10670959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
THE SEAT CONTROL UNITS DO NOT SHUT OFF AND CONTINUALLY DRAIN THE BATTERY. THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM FOR THIS MODEL CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10652332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
MY 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ C320'S BATTERY WAS CONSTANTLY GOING BAD AND HAVING TO BE JUMPED AFTER NOT STARTING IT OR DRIVING IT FOR APPROX. 24 HOURS. FINALLY, AFTER A CERTIFIED MERCEDES MECHANIC INVESTIGATED THE PROBLEM, HE INFORMED ME THAT THE PROBLEM ORIGINATED FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT MODULE, WHICH WAS DRAINING MY BATTERY. HE INFORMED ME THAT IF I UNPLUGGED IT FOR THE TIME BEING, MY BATTERY WOULD NO LONGER DRAIN. SURE ENOUGH, AFTER UNPLUGGING THE SEAT MODULE, I NO LONGER HAD ISSUES WITH MY BATTERY DRAINING. THE SEAT MODULE CONTROLS SEAT ADJUSTMENTS AS WELL AS STEERING WHEEL ADJUSTMENTS, SO THIS IS VERY INCONVENIENT, AND UNSAFE, BECAUSE THERE ARE TIMES, WHEN I HAVE TO PLUG THE MODULE IN ADJUST MY SEAT OR STEERING WHEEL, AND IT DOES NOT WORK, AND I'M STUCK WITH THE SEATS OR STEERING WHEEL IN AN UNCOMFORTABLE POSITION. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE (STOP) LIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS, ETC., IN WHICH THE VEHICLE INDICATOR STATES THAT PARTICULAR LIGHTS ARE MALFUNCTIONING, AND THEN AFTER AWHILE IT GOES AWAY, AND THEN DAYS LATER, THE LIGHTS ARE INOPERABLE AGAIN. I HAVE SPENT QUITE A BIT OF MONEY REPLACING BULBS. I ORIGINALLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2004 WHEN IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10585499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
REALLY DAD EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH DRIVERS AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT CONTROL MODULES DRAINING BATTERY WHEN KEY OFF MY CAR STARTED ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD .!! TWO TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #10560656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER SEAT MODULE WAS DRAINING THE BATTERY AND AS A RESULT, IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000.
NHTSA complaint #10559950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
POWER CONTROL SEAT & STEERING COLUMN MODULE/REGULATOR WENT OUT & BEFORE IT DID IT USE TO DRAIN THE BATTERY WHERE CAR WOULDN'T START IF SAT FOR LESS THAN 24HRS, SO HAD TO UNPLUG BUT NOW THE ENTIRE SYSTEM DOESN'T WORK PLUGGED IN. I CAN BARELY REACH THE PEDALS TO DRIVE PROPERLY, THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD & NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. IT ALSO NEEDS TO BE A WAY TO MANUALLY ADJUST. THANK YOU
NHTSA complaint #10543177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES C320. THE CONTACT STATED HE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY IN THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THE SEAT CONTROLS FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT DRAINED THE BATTERY AND THE SEAT CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 90,904.
NHTSA complaint #10504114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MERCEDES BENZ C320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS AN OVERPOWERING BURNING ODOR PRESENT IN THE VEHICLE FROM THE DRIVERS SEAT. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A QUARTER SIZE HOLE THAT HAD BURNED THROUGH THE CONTACT'S LEFT PANT LEG. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,500.
NHTSA complaint #10481440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
I CAME OUT AND MY BATTERY WAS DEAD WITHOUT WARNING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DOWNTOWN LA MOTORS(MERCEDES BENZ) DEALER, WHERE THEY EXPLAINED THAT THE SEAT CONTROL MODULES WERE STAYING ON AND CAUSING THE BATTERY TO DRAIN. I SUBSEQUENTLY HAD TO UNHOOK THE SEAT CONTROLS AND NOW I AM UNABLE TO MOVE MY SEATS OR STEERING WHEEL. THEY ESTIMATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST AROUND 1500. NUMEROUS CUSTOMERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE ON THE SAME VEHICLE, IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND NOT THE FAULT OF MERCEDES BENZ CONSUMERS.
NHTSA complaint #10466021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
I PURCHASED THIS CAR AS A GRADUATION PRESENT FOR MY DAUGHTER. I KNOW IT'S AND OLDER MODEL, AND HAS HIGH MILEAGE, SO I EXPECTED SOME ISSUES. HOWEVER, AFTER READING SEVERAL POST ACROSS THE INTERNET IT SEEMS AS IF THE SEAT MODULE ISSUE IS A PROBLEM. EVERYTIME SHE LETS THE CAR SIT FOR MORE THAN A DAY, IT WON'T START. SHE HAS TO JUMP START THE CAR, AND THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE ACROSS THE BOARD THAT BENZ SHOULD HAVE RECALLED BY NOW. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. THIS MORNING THE CARD ONCE AGAIN WOULD NOT START. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND BENZ DIRECT, BUT THEY WILL NOT RECALL THE CAR FOR THIS ISSUE, THEY JUST WANT YOU TO PAY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. WITH SO MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WHY HAS THIS CAR NOT BEEN RECALLED???
NHTSA complaint #10460130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
I HAVE A 2002 MERCEDES C320. MY BATTERY IS DEAD AFTER SEATING OVERNIGHT. TOOK THE CAR TO THE AUSTIN MB DEALERSHIP TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT THE POWER SEAT MOTOR IS DRAINING MY BATTERY. BOTH SEATS. COME TO FIND OUT THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. I CALLED MERCEDES USA AND THEY SAID THAT SINCE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, THERE IS NOT MUCH THEY CAN DO. THAT IS BULL!! OBVIOUSLY SINCE SO MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS CAR MODEL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, IT HAS TO BE A MANUFACTURER FAULT. I WAS WONDERING HOW MANY PEOPLE NEED TO EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM BEFORE MERCEDES WILL ADMIT THAT THEY HAVE A BAD COMPONENT ON THIS MODEL. I FIGURED,IF ENOUGH PEOPLE CALL AND TELL MB THAT THEY HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM, THEY WILL REALIZE THAT THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART AND THEY WILL ISSUE A RECALL AND PAY FOR NECESSARY REPAIRS. PLEASE CALL MERCEDES USA AND REPORT THIS PROBLEM. 1-800-FOR-MERCEDES (1-800-367-6372) OR 201-476-6200.
NHTSA complaint #10456579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
AFTER REPLACING MY BATTERY I LEARNED ON LINE THAT THE MERCEDES HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THEIR SEATS WHERE THEY DRAIN THE BATTERY AND CANNOT HOLD A CHARGE. AFTER HAVING MY CAR JUMP STARTED 5 TIMES I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED IT WAS BEING DRAINED BY THE SEATS....MAKES NO SENSE. HOWEVER, APPARENTLY IT IS HAPPENING TO MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS YEAR AND MAKE OF CAR. MERCEDES IS NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. THIS IS NOT OK....
NHTSA complaint #10454052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
BATTERY DIES. AFTER DIAGNOSTIC, FOUND THAT DRIVER SEAT CONTROL UNIT DRAINED BATTERY. REPLACED BATTERY AND EVENTUALLY ALL CONTROLS FAIL ON THE SEAT AND STEERING WHEEL. I AM ONE OF MANY MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. NO SOLUTION FOUND AND NO RECALL TO REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10402463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
MERCEDES 2002 C320. POWER SEAT CONTROL MODULE FOR BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER DRAIN THE BATTERY TO A EXTENT THAT CAR CAN NOT BE STARTED UP. ONLY SOLUTION IS BUY A NEW ($500.00 PLUS LABOR) CONTROL MODULE. I'VE DONE A RESEARCH IN DIFFERENT MERCEDES FORUMS AND IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG THESE MODELS. MB DESPITE OF ALL THE PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM HAS NOT ISSUED ANY RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10400052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
I HAVE 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ C320 SEDAN. I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS PARTICULAR MODEL HAS A FACTORY DEFECTIVE ELECTRONIC PASSENGER SEAT MODULE WHICH CAUSE THE BATTERY TO BE DRAINED VERY QUICKLY. I CALLED THE COMPANY TO REQUEST TO FIX THIS PROBLEM.THEY DENIED TO DO SO. I BELIEVE THIS MODEL IS LEMON. AS SOON AS PASSENGER SEAT MODULE IS DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY IS HOLDING CHARGE, I CAN START CAR RIGHT AWAY.
NHTSA complaint #10357129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
I ALSO HAVE A 2001 C320 SINCE NEW HERE IN SOUTH AFRICA AND I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRIC FRONT SEATS DRAINING THE BATTERY. IF IT STANDS FOR MORE THAN 2 DAYS THE BATTERY IS FLAT. IT'S A PROBLEM BECAUSE IT ALSO INFLUENCES THE OTHER ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES AS THE BATTERY HAS TO BE CHARGED AND IN SOME CASES JUMP STARTED. WHILE THIS CAN BE DONE SUCCESSFULLY IF YOU ARE STUCK OUT OF HOME BASE SOMETIMES YOU CANNOT MANAGE THE RECOVERY TEAM THAT CAUSE ALL TYPES OF VOLTAGE SPIKES WHEN TRYING TO GET THE CAR ON LINE AGAIN. IT SEEMS LUDICROUS THAT A SEAT MOTOR THAT DOES NOT WORK HARD AT ALL CAN CAUSE THIS PROBLEM. REALLY NOT THE EXCELLENCE IN ENGINEERING I EXPECT FROM THIS MARQUE. HERE IS THE VIN NO [XXX] AS I CANNOT ENTER IT A FEW STEPS LATER AS IT DOES NOT ACCEPT IT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10336131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.