72 of the
2,686 complaints filed about the Mercedes Benz E350
are about the seats —
3% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2008.
Without an impact or collision, my car's passenger seat headrest shot out. I've been checking and others have done this as well. This morning, the driver's side headrest shot out without impact or collision. There is something wrong with the mechanism or airbags for the headrests. This can be extremely dangerous when in motion....
NHTSA complaint #11753259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2008 MercedesE350 (W211) Driver’s seat heater, ~11:48am Location: Lidl Parking Lot, 2017 St. Joseph’s Dr., Bowie/Upper Marlboro, MD While I was sitting in the driver’s seat with my back fully against it, the seat heater burned through the leather on the left side of the seat. The cabin immediately filled with smoke. The burning stopped only after I turned off the seat‑heater button. I was inside the vehicle during the failure, and the situation created a direct fire hazard; the seat could have ignited, and I could have caught fire. I don’t know if the passenger seat heater is also affected, so passengers cannot safely use their seat warmer. No warning lamps, messages, or symptoms pre failure. Evidence Available: Video/photo of the aftermath (burned seat left‑side damage), the vehicle and damaged seat are available for inspection. Smoke in video/photo. Has the Problem Been Reproduced or Confirmed?: I’ve not attempted to reproduce the problem for safety reasons, and it has not yet been confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. However, publicly available information shows Mercedes previously settled a $54 million class action for the same seat‑heater defect in model years prior to 2008. My 2008 model was not included despite experiencing the same dangerous failure. Mercedes is aware this is a known issue.Has the Vehicle Been Inspected?: A dealership inspection at Mercedes‑Benz of Alexandria scheduled 12/23/23 at 11:00 a.m. Warning Lamps or Prior Symptoms: None. Safety Risk Summary: This defect created immediate danger to my safety. The heater burned through the seat while I was sitting in it, filling cabin with smoke and creating a risk of burn injury and the possibility that I could have caught fire. The defect may also endanger passengers if both seats are affected. Broader Concern: Prevent others from experiencing defect, causing serious injury/vehicle fire. Limits safe use of vehicle for self and passengers. Plus Mercedes is aware. Can’t upload video.
NHTSA complaint #11706318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am writing in regards to the 5 vehicle recalls that were for the make, and model of my car that is showing as having no recalls for. The recalls involved air bags, air bag software, fuel filter flange, and I am also wondering with the driver headrest deployment module if that is associated with an airbag module; as when I had purchased the vehicle I had found out that both my airbag modules had malfunctioned with showing the srs lights on the dash. I was told that Mercedes of Sarasota, FL had replaced the passenger airbag module by Mercedes of South Orlando. When asked for a printout verification of this repair showing to be completed; they said they couldn’t provide me with this information. As proof of the service to being completed could not be provided. I had tken my car to their to have them look into this, and the tpms sensors showing malfunctioned; communication error message, and they couldn’t figure out what the problem was causing this. I had to take my car to an auto electrician to find out the problem; that I had found out that a 100 amp fusible link had blown, causing all those problems with also the roof wasn’t working. Along with I was smelling fuel. I found out about the recall for these items after getting them repaired out of pocket by the auto electrician Mike from Peak Audio, and Electric, and as to the fuel filter flange I had to pay like $1,200 to replace as they had replaced the fuel level sending unit that include the fuel filter flange. I would like refun; still have the headrest driver side that needs to be replaced. I found out that their is an recall for this make, and model of car that had said the air bag deployment software was under recall for those vehicles; which I believe could have triggered the deployment of the head rest while I was driving; as if I had been near a car; I could have been involved in an accident. I think that this should have an open ticket for repair placed on all 2012 Mercedes E350 Cabriolet Blue Efficiency.
NHTSA complaint #11641248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1. brake lines corroded and broke. i see there were numerous reports sent to you and nothing was done. 2. both driver and passenger seat broke in the same spot...mercedes recognized the issue in their internal bulletins. nothing was done 3. both rear springs broke on their own. no accident. car was really unstable in highway speeds
NHTSA complaint #11631348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fuel system gasoline smell of gas and the threading in the crease of seats coming apart .. I noticed that some of the E350 2014 has the fuel systems gasoline problem … all of the E350 are having this fuel gasoline problem
NHTSA complaint #11618976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The car was parked in the driveway outside. In the AM when getting into the car I saw that the drivers HEAD-REST had engaged by itself during the day. There was no airbag only pieces of plastic and springs on the seat. The headrest was just hanging there and in no way could be reset. Car was taken to the dealer for repair. Extended warranty would not cover it stating airbag issue even though the headrest has no airbag. Dealer is repairing the headrest - total cost $1,800. Mercedes also does no want to cover it since the auto is a 2012. The problem was reported to Mercedes and they stated that there was no recall on the item. And that is it. Spoke to dealer who indicated that they have seen this problem before but not widespread. And that is it!! Mercedes quality is one to be desired.
NHTSA complaint #11560325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The driver side seat warmer melted through the leather seat and burnt a hole in my sweater The seat could have got on fire We took the car to Mercedes Benz of Lynnwood where our service advisor, John McDonald took pictures to send to MBenz USA The display panel did not show any error messages or error codes
NHTSA complaint #11496166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the contact felt heat coming from the rear of the front driver seat and noticed smoke coming from the rear of the seat, causing the back of the driver’s seat to catch on fire. The contact was to pull over and noticed that the back of his shirt had caught on fire as well, the contact was not injured. The contact was able to stop the fire by pouring water on the seat. No police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but it was not diagnosed, but the front driver seat was replaced, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was contacted, and they agreed to replace the front seat. The failure mileage was 38,000.
NHTSA complaint #11493045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The chrome handle on my driver's seat is peeling off and very sharp. It cut my inner wrist really bad last week. I searched online and found many people having the same issues. I was quoted at around $400 to fix this one little handle and I don't have that amount of money right now. This is serious danger and needs to be fixed immediately and it scares me to think of doing it again and cutting into the artery or nerves in that area of my wrist. 1) Yes, you can inspect it or I can send pictures in. 2) The risk it puts on me is cutting my wrist and/or hand, infection, stitches, pain, not being able to work, nerve damage, medical bills, etc 3) There are many accounts online of people experiencing this same problem. I'm surprised someone hasn't gotten seriously hurt from it already. 4) It has been inspected by a service and repair center that immediately told me to be very careful due to the high possibility of cutting me 5) No warning lamps or messages
NHTSA complaint #11470324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was pulling up the passenger seat to put something in the backseat of my parked car. The headrest unexpectedly deployed and a small plastic piece broke off. Now I am fearful this could happen when driving the car, potentially harming myself or others. A witness saw what happened. There was no warning.
NHTSA complaint #11464681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I drove a short distance and started to smell burning, and saw some smoke in the cabin. I immediately pulled over and shut down the car. I called my husband and when he arrived we discovered that my driver's seat back had burned through from the seat heater. Luckily I was not injured and the burning did not spread, I assume because I was able to stop quickly and get out.
NHTSA complaint #11443780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The back of the driver seat failed due to my car being rear ended. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Unable to sit looking straight forward when driving. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. By Mercedes Benz dealer Fletcher Jones of Newport Beach, CA. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? I have reported the problem to my auto insurance co.: AAA. AAA said they need to send their own appraiser to confirm the finding of the Mercedes Benz dealer. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? None. My auto was rear ended on 3-22-21. Immediately, the problem was reported to AAA. Prior to 3-22-21, my auto was with my regular repair shop for regular oil changes and nothing was reported was wrong with the driver seat. I waiting for AAA decision in order to do repairs. I have three emails from Mercedes dealer and from AAA auto insurance. I could not figure out to forward them to you.
NHTSA complaint #11433714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HEY I HAVE 2014 MERCEDES E350 WITH 57K ON IT. DRIVER SEAT HAS A TEAR AFTER TAKING TO THE MB DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND MY 7 SPEED TRANSMISSION HAS KINDA OF A SLIP IN 3 AND 4 GEAR ALSO TOOK TO MY DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING WRONG DID MORE RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT ITS ALSO A COMMON PROBLEM
NHTSA complaint #11399039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE CAR WILL SOMETIMES THINK THERE IS SOMEONE RIDING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WHEN NO ONE IS THERE. IT CAUSES THE SEATBELT LIGHT AND THE WARNING BEEPS TO OCCUR. ITS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE ITS A DISTRACTION WHILE DRIVING AND IT WOULD SET OFF THE AIRBAGS FOR THAT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE IF ANYTHING IS TO HAPPEN.
NHTSA complaint #11388718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR TONIGHT THE SEAT STARTED SMOKING AND THERE IS A BURN HOLE ON THE DRIVER SEAT 1/2 DOLLAR IN SIZE. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION, SEAT HEATER IN USE.
NHTSA complaint #11383262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK HEATER BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT COVER. AT THE TIME OF DISCOVERY, THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AND THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, I DISCOVERED THE HOLE IN THE SEAT. THERE WAS A SIMILAR ISSUE INVOLVING 2000-2007 M-CLASS, 2006-2007 R-CLASS, AND 2007 GL-CLASS MODELS WHICH WAS SETTLED IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT CALLAWAY V. MERCEDES BENZ. TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECALLS OR ACKNOWLEDGMENT BY MERCEDES BENZ FOR ANY VEHICLES WITH THE SIMILAR DEFECT/HAZARD SUBSEQUENT TO 2007. MY VEHICLE IS A 2008 MERCEDES E-CLASS. WHILE MERCEDES REPAIRED MY SEAT AT NO CHARGE, THEY UNLAWFULLY, IN MY OPINION, REQUIRED I SIGN A RELEASE PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF REPAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #11373758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.