Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Mercedes-Benz ML350 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2007 Mercedes-Benz ML350. The contact stated that while driving the front driver seat caught on fire while the seat heater was on. The contact stated that the back part of the seat was smoking and he stopped the vehicle, exited, and noticed the back of his jacket and seat had a hole. The contact stated that he was not injured. The contact did not see flames. The contact stated that he put his hand on the hole to stop the smoke. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The contact stated that the failure cause was not diagnosed as he only received an estimate to replace the seat and heating system. The vehicle was currently at the dealer for repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no assistance was offered. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000. Consumer has stated warranty has expired. …
1) car is having recurring issue with seat burning due to seat heater. Dealer corrected issue but issue persists. Not able to turn heater on. Dealer claims issue is fixed but when heat seater is turned on, burning smell and smoke fills car. Advised dealer that car is leaking water in since noticed water on the truck in the rear where the computers are. Once water is in, all sorts of electrical light issues happen with the car. 2) car is having transmission issue. Upon research, it seems ML350 has this recurrent issue. Cannot understand why Benz is not having this recall. Car stops moving in the middle of highway. Cannot get it to run. Have to turn the car off, push it aside and try multiple times for car to move.this is extremely dangerous with kids inside truck since that is the reason why I bought truck for over more than 35 k. …
On April 22, 2017 I pressed the driver side seat warmer button and a few minutes later began to feel burning and smelling smoke. Determined my seat was on fire and depressed the button again and stopped the fire. I was on a city street and able to pull over. I have contacted mbusa.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Mercedes Benz ML350. The contact was driving approximately 35 MPH with the driver's side seat warmer activated when the temperatures became extremely hot. The defect resulted in a burn hole in the cushion and the contact's clothing. The contact sustained minor burns to the back. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who informed the contact that the seat back warmer was faulty and planned to perform further investigations to determine the cause of failure. The manufacturer was notified of the malfunction. The contact referenced a concurrent investigation under NHTSA action number: pe08030 (seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler) however, the investigation was closed September 9, 2008. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000.
As I was traveling in chicago proper the temperature was approximately 18 degrees outdoors so we turned on the city warmers against the chill... My passenger noted a smell of smoke in the car which at the time I did not... Subsequently the smell became more prevalent, the drivers side seat became hot and began to smoke, my clothes caught fire burning wholes in my outer coat, my pullover sweater and my tee shirt finally reaching my flesh... We were able to turn the seat warmer off, I was able to pull the vehicle to the side of the road and get out and remove the clothing that was damaged... A whole about the size of a 1/2 dollar was burned in the leather of the drivers seat...
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Mercedes Benz ML350. The contact stated that approximately two minutes after starting the vehicle, burning fumes were emitted into the vehicle. The contact noticed a red glow coming from driver seat, and a hole burnt through the leather seats. The hole was approximately 2-3 inches in diameter. The contact was able to turn off the seat warmer. The contact stated that the fumes triggered an asthma flare and caused a slight burn on the back. The vehicle was taken to dealer for inspection. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The failure and current mileage was 68,000.
Tl contact owns a 2007 Mercedes ML350. While driving 50mph, she smelled smoke inside the vehicle, saw flames coming from the passenger seat, the smoke distracted her and caused her to lose control on the vehicle and crash into the median. The left side of the vehicle was damaged. The contact was able to exit the vehicle without injury. The fire department and the police arrived. A report was filed and they stated that the failure might be due to the heater. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer. The contact is aware of the safety risk involved. The failure and current mileages were 24,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Mercedes ML350. While driving with the heated seat function activated, the contact smelled something burning when she noticed that her back had become excessively hot. The heated seat function burned a hole in her shirt from the excessive heat. She let the vehicle cool down before she continued to drive. The dealer advised the contact that the seat warmer malfunctioned. The manufacturer was notified on the contact's behalf. The vehicle was not repaired. The current and the failure mileages were 75,000. The VIN was unavailable.
I was leaving my son's football game and going to the school to pick him up. Its 1.75 miles from field to school. I turned on my drivers seat and before I reached the school, I felt a burning in the lower left side of seat. I reached down to feel what was burning and realized it had burnt a hole in seat and through my coat. I immediately turned off the seat. Upon parking at the school, I got out to look at what had happened. Hole is about the size of a quarter. Car has approximately 93,000 miles.
Driving on 295 on new jersey parkway at 60 MPH with seat heater turned on. Seat heater caught on fire and burned a hole, the size of a half dollar in leather seat on the left side of driver seat. The left side of lower back. Smoke came out of the seat and damaged and burned a hole in the leather seat and burned a hole in my coat. Called the dealership same day said there was no recalls. Also engine lights remain on had it fixed once still remains on and brakes lights also going out.
Seat complaints in other ML350 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat problems on the 2007 Mercedes-Benz ML350?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the seats of the 2007 Mercedes-Benz ML350, 27% of the model year's 83 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2007 Mercedes-Benz ML350 seat problems?
No. NHTSA lists no seats recall for the 2007 Mercedes-Benz ML350, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2007 Mercedes-Benz ML350 seat problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 14 fires and 3 injuries to seats problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.