2008 Mercedes-Benz E350 Interior & seats Problems

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 ID

11706318

Incident

Dec 16, 2025

I switched on driver seat heater. Less than one minute later I noticed smoke and discovered a hole burned through seat and my jacket.

NHTSA ID

11501910

Incident

Jan 8, 2023

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 ID

11496166

Incident

Nov 30, 2022

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 ID

11443780

Incident

Dec 13, 2021

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 ID

11383262

Incident

Dec 13, 2020

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 ID

11373758

Incident

Oct 10, 2020

Mileage

87,088 mi

FUEL PUMP AND SENDING UNIT IS CRACKED CAUSING FUEL VAPOR TO ENTER CABIN. ALSO DRIVER SEAT HEATER IS OVER HEATING CAUSING CONSIDERABLE DISCOMFORT AND CANNOT BE USED. WHEN I STARTED TO RESEARCH THESE ISSUES I FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPORTED BUT I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE.

NHTSA ID

11316866

Incident

Jan 1, 2020

Mileage

152,000 mi

SEAT HEATER IN DRIVER'S SEAT BACK OVERHEATED, RESULTING IN A BURN THROUGH THE SEAT AND CAUGHT THE DRIVER'S CLOTHING ON FIRE.

NHTSA ID

11170016

Incident

Jan 14, 2019

Mileage

125,000 mi

TURN HEATER FOR DRIVER SIDE SEAT,SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING ON LEFT LATERAL LUMBAR AREA,NOTICED A BURN THROUGH SEAT COVER.THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPEN,HAD IT REPAIRED AT DEALERSHIP ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO.I WAS ON CITY STREET WHEN THIS HAPPEN,

NHTSA ID

11164665

Incident

Dec 10, 2018

Mileage

64,200 mi

DRIVER'S HEATED SEAT BURNING?!? I'VE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE LATE MAY OF '18. ON TUES. 11/06/18 AFTER WORK, I STARTED THE CAR AND BEGAN DRIVING HOME. TURNED ON THE HEAT AND THE DRIVER'S HEATED SEAT (IT'S 30 DEGREES AND SNOWING HERE IN MN). I TAKE-OFF AND NOT A MINUTE LATER I SMELL WHAT SEEMS TO BE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE/SMOKE. THERE WAS LIKELY EVEN A WHIFF OF SMOKE PRESENT. THANKFULLY I IMMEDIATELY FIGURED IT WAS UNFORTUNATELY COMING FROM MY CAR AND THAT THE HEATED SEAT WAS LIKELY THE CULPRIT. TURNED IT OFF, PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THE PICS ATTACHED (BURNED HOLE IN LOWER RIGHT OF SEAT IF LOOKING AT IT HEAD-ON). THERE WAS THE MB-TEX CRACK THERE PRIOR. NOW, I WON'T (UNFORTUNATELY) BE USING MY HEATED SEAT ANYTIME SOON, BUT MY QUESTION IS, WHAT NOW? THE WIFE USES HER SIDE ALL THE TIME, NEVER NOTICED ANY ISSUES. PRETTY SCARY/SURPRISING AND DISAPPOINTING ALL AT ONCE.

NHTSA ID

11150390

Incident

Nov 6, 2018

Mileage

109,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FOB FAILED TO OPEN THE TRUNK. IN ADDITION, THE REAR LICENSE PLATE LIGHT AND THIRD BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR ACTUATOR FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ID

11097257

Incident

Mar 6, 2018

Mileage

120,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ E350. WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE HIMSELF. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FIRE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

NHTSA ID

11079622

Incident

Mar 5, 2018

Mileage

86,000 mi

THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER WHEN TURNED ON HAS BEGUN TO BURN THROUGH THE SEAT ITSELF CAUSING A HOLE THE SIZE OF NOW A NICKEL (LOWER LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE SEAT). HAPPENED JUST BEFORE THANKSGIVING AND AGAIN WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND FORGOT THERE WAS AN ISSUE. THE SMELL AND THE SMOKE FROM THE BURNING SEAT MADE HER PULL THE CAR OVER. WHEN THIS FIRST HAPPENED, IT ACTUALLY BURNT A WHOLE IN MY JACKET AS WELL. ALL IMAGES HAVE BEEN ATTACHED. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH MERCEDES AND THEIR SOLUTION IS REPAIR THE ISSUE AND THEN PLACE A COVER OVER THE AREA. STILL DOES NOT SEEM SAFE OR AN APPROPRIATE FIX. *TR

NHTSA ID

10937563

Incident

Nov 23, 2016

Mileage

96,000 mi

I SMELLED STRONG GAS SMELL A FEW DAYS AGO. I TOOK MY CAR TO MERCEDES ARROWHEAD LOCATED IN ARIZONA YESTERDAY. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE PROBLEM WOULD BE COVERED UNDER A 15 YEAR WARRANTY (FUEL TANK HAD STARTED LEAKING). TODAY THEY CALLED ME AND SAID THAT THE LEAK HAD SATURATED TO MY BACK SEATS AND THAT IT WASN'T COVERED BECAUSE I HAD TAKEN TOO LONG TO CALL THEM AND THAT'S WHY THE BACK SEATS WERE SATURATED WITH GAS (I DIDN'T KNOW THAT MY SEATS WERE SATURATED WITH GAS UNTIL I STARTED TO SMELL IT THROUGH MY VENTS WHILE AC WAS BLOWING). NOW, I AM BEING ASKED TO PAY ALMOST $500 TO REPLACE THE PADS AND DEAFENING MATERIAL AS THEY TOLD ME IT WASN'T COVERED BY WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH IT WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE FUEL TANK. AT THIS POINT I'M NOT SURE IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY HEALTH RELATED ISSUES FOR MYSELF AND MY 2 KIDS WHO NORMALLY SIT IN THE BACK OF THE CAR WHO HAS BEEN INHALING THE GAS FUMES FOR AN UNKNOWN LENGTH OF TIME.

NHTSA ID

10895481

Incident

Aug 12, 2016

Mileage

128,184 mi

WITHIN A FEW SECONDS OF POWERING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER I SMELLED PLASTIC BURNING AND IMMEDIATELY POWERED OFF THE SEAT HEATER. SINCE I WAS ALREADY ON THE ROAD I CONTINUED DRIVING AND DID NOT INVESTIGATE FURTHER. THE FOLLOWING DAY, I POWERED THE SEAT HEATER AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BURNING SMELL REOCURRED, HOWEVER, THIS TIME THE LEFT SIDE LUMBAR SUPPORT BECAME VERY HOT. I POWERD OFF THE SEAT HEATER IMMEDIATELY AFTER AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND NOTICE A BURN HOLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE LEFT LUMBAR SUPPORT AREA OF THE SEAT.

NHTSA ID

10825615

Incident

Feb 8, 2016

Mileage

82,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ E350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT FAILED AND OVERHEATED. THE SEAT BURNED THE CONTACT THROUGH HIS SHIRT AND BELT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE SMELLED SMOKE AND HAD TO OPEN THE WINDOWS BECAUSE THE SMOKE HAD BECOME OVERPOWERING. HE THEN POWERED THE HEATED SEATS OFF BEFORE IT COULD CAUSE A FIRE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

NHTSA ID

10455523

Incident

Apr 12, 2012

Mileage

51,000 mi

TURNED ON DRIVERS SEAT WARMER, SMELLED SMOKE AND OPENED WINDOWS THINKING THE ODOR WAS FROM OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. TURNED THE SEAT HEATER OFF AND LATER FOUND A QUARTER SIZE HOLE BURNED IN THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVERS SEAT. MY SHIRT AND PANTS ALSO HAD HOLES BURNED IN THEM. FORTUNATELY I TURNED THE HEATER OFF BEFORE I WAS BURNED OR A FIRE STARTED. MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER IS GOING TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE TO THE SEAT OF MY 2008 E-350. *TR

NHTSA ID

10402473

Incident

May 23, 2011

Mileage

28,000 mi

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING A FIRE. VEHICLE WAS A 2008 MERCEDES E350. *TR

NHTSA ID

10289019

Incident

Sep 25, 2009

Mileage

32,314 mi