NHTSA safety investigation
NHTSA Investigation PE08030
Preliminary Evaluation · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC · SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
An investigation is not a finding that a defect exists.
NHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
What NHTSA is examining
The agency's own description of the inquiry, quoted as published
SEAT BACK WARMER OVERHEATS/BURNS
THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION INVESTIGATION CONCERNS THE SEAT BACK WARMER INSTALLED IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH MAY 2007, EQUIPPED WITH THE CTX' CARBOTEX SEAT WARMER DESIGN.THE DATA DISCLOSE FEW COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY REPORTS CONCERNING THIS ISSUE.NONE OF THE FIRE REPORTS INVOLVED OPEN FLAME, BUT WERE THERMAL INCIDENTS IN WHICH THE SEAT CUSHION SUSTAINED DISCOLORATION OR A HOLE BURNED IN THE SEAT COVER.THE REPORTED INJURY APPEARED TO BE MINOR.THE SUBJECT SEAT WARMER DESIGN WAS ALSO INSTALLED IN MY 2006 M-CLASS VEHICLES AND THOSE DATA ALSO SHOW FEW INCIDENTS.A SAFETY DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN CLOSED.
An investigation is a separate record from a recall and from a manufacturer communication. A manufacturer campaign to repair a safety defect or a failure to meet a federal safety standard.
Investigation details
Identifiers, dates and outcome as recorded by NHTSA
- Action number
- PE08030
- Investigation type
- Preliminary Evaluation (PE)
- Status
- Closed
- Manufacturer
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
- Component
- SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
- Opened
- Apr 25, 2008
- Closed
- Sep 9, 2008
- Associated recall campaign
- None recorded
Vehicles named in this investigation
2 model years across 2 models
Being named here means NHTSA included the vehicle in the scope of its inquiry. It is not a statement that these vehicles have a defect.