2008 Mercedes-Benz E350 seats problems

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 Jan 15, 2023 · Seats · GA

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

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 Dec 13, 2020 · Electrical, Seats · SD · fire

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.

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 Mar 8, 2020 · Fuel system, Seats · 152,000 miles · CA

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.

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 Nov 9, 2018 · Electrical, Seats · 109,000 miles · MN · fire

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.