2008 Mercedes-Benz E350: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Dec 20, 2025 · Electrical, Seats · DC · fire

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.

Filed Dec 5, 2022 · Seats · WA

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

Filed Dec 14, 2021 · Seats · NC · fire

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.

Filed Nov 9, 2020 · Seats · 87,088 miles · WI

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.

Filed Dec 27, 2019 · Electrical, Lights · 79,500 miles · TX

Upon exiting my vehicke., I noticed a strong burning smell but could not pinpoint it. Over the next couple of days the smell persisted and my dashboard warning system alerted me that my tail lights were not working. The messages were alternating between rear left tail lights, rear right brake and tail lights, the turn signals, etc. It was just changing all the time. I took it in to the mercedes dealer and they said I needed an entire tail light assembly and then told me they didn't know. As if now I have another appointment for 7 jan 2920.

Filed Jan 14, 2019 · Electrical, Seats · 125,000 miles · TN · fire

Seat heater in driver's seat back overheated, resulting in a burn through the seat and caught the driver's clothing on fire.

Filed Jan 2, 2019 · Seats · 64,200 miles · TX

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,

Filed Mar 15, 2018 · Seats · 86,000 miles · DE · fire

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.

Filed Feb 11, 2016 · Seats · 82,000 miles · TX

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.

Filed Oct 1, 2015 · Seats · 60,000 miles · WA · fire · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mercedes benz e350. The contact stated that the driver side seat warmer burned through the seat and the contact's clothes without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed and replaced the seat warmers. A couple of years later, the failure recurred and the seat caught fire. The contact sustained toxic lung injuries due to smoke inhalation, which required medical attention. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 60,000.