Seat complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (seat frames, recliners, heated seats and seat tracks).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
After starting up the car and turning on the seat heaters we noticed a strong burning smell. We had just entered a slip road and my wife (who was driving) felt a burning in her lower left side. Next thing... She was on fire! Her winter coat bust into flames and after pulling over I grabbed her out of the drivers seat and rolled her in the snow to extinguish the fire, we were amazed that the seat had a large burn hole through the leather and that there wasn't any safety shut off for the seat heater initiated by the vehicle. After a detailed description to the service manager at the local Mercedes dealership of what had happened,we were told that a $2578 repair would fix the problem... We were amazed at how uncaring they were and that there wasn't a recall active for this defective wiring problem. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mercedes Benz ML350. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the front driver's side heated seat overheated and smoke emitted inside of the vehicle. The massive heat penetrated a small hole within the driver's seat cushion. There was no personal injury. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The vehicle had not been repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 41,200.
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. …
Contact was driving, approx. 15 min. After engine start and seat heater turn-on. Contact felt a burning sensation on posterior/hip. Contact stopped car and got out. There was a burn hole in the driver's seat back at lower left. There were two burn holes through contacts pants. Later examination showed a second degree (blister) burn on contacts hip. This is not a warranty claim as the dealer suggests, but, rather a serious manufacturer defect that causes burn injury (check the history of documented complaints on the internet)...
After driving only 30 min in morning traffic w/seat heat on, I smelled a burning smell and the hip area of the seat was very hot. Pulled over, turned car off, and found seat heat had burned through the seat upholstery making a hole approx. 1" h x 1/2" w. Question below asks y/n if there was a fire. Answered y due to burning; did not see any flames. Used some water on it immediately and a few minutes later at home to make sure there was no burning/smoldering inside the seat.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Mercedes Benz ML350. While driving approximately 5 MPH in reverse, the drivers side heated seat was activated and suddenly the contact experienced a severe burning sensation directly to the skin from the lower portion of the drivers seat. The contact exit the vehicle and observed smoke and flames emitting from the top of the drivers seat. Immediately, assistance was provided and the flames were smothered by and individual who used their hands to extinguish the fire. The contact suffered minor burns to his back and the other person sustained minor burns to both hands. The fire department was not notified. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact was waiting for a response from the technician to determine the cause of failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 32,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Mercedes Benz ML350. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, she noticed a burning odor. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and the contact stated that the seat warmer had overheated and burned a hole in the leather. As a result, the seat element warmer and the seat pad needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercedes-Benz ML350 years have seat problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2007 (22) and 2006 (14) model years. Seat complaints make up 27% of all complaints for the 2007.
Is there a recall for Mercedes-Benz ML350 seat problems?
No. NHTSA lists no seats recall for any Mercedes-Benz ML350 model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Mercedes-Benz ML350 seat problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 79,000 miles; 24% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front assembly › head restraint (1 mentions).
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.