Driver heated seat burst into a fire with heat seat warmer

- Atlantic Beach, FL, USA

On Thursday afternoon, October 1 the driver's seat of my 2009 E350W Mercedes Benz burst into flames while I was driving. The heat and flames from the fire burned my shirt. My left side was also burned. Since I was traveling at 35 mph, I was able to pull over safely, leap from the car and put out the fire. It was only by god's grace that I avoided a serious accident with life threatening injuries and possibly fatalities. I immediately called the beverly hills Mercedes Benz service center to alert them of the problem. I had the car towed to the service center Friday morning. A loaner car was not available so I rented a car from hertz. Today carlos muedano, service advisor, said I would be billed $1,500 for repairs. This car has 37,770 miles on the odometer, roughly 6,000 miles per year or 500 miles per month. It is basically a new car. In December 2014 beverly hills Mercedes charged $1,000 for repairs to the trunk wiring system. Possibly these electrical system problems and repairs contributed to the electrical problem in the driver's seat heating unit which caused the fire? there have also been numerous complaints online about fires linked to the seat heating elements in Mercedes Benz cars. In fact there is currently a class action suit over this particular problem. I am terribly disappointed in Mercedes Benz. I purchased the Mercedes Benz product expecting highest quality and best customer service. You have failed on both counts. I have not received any notice from Mercedes Benz on a recall to check and repair defective seat heaters.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

As driving noticed strong smell of smoke. Then noticed smoke coming from left side drivers seat. As I pulled over hole burned in seat and sparks and flames poured out from burning hole in seat.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

Seat heater in back of drivers seat shorted and sparked, shocking driver.

- San Antonio, TX, USA