| Issue ID | 1265576 |
| Internal NHTSA # | 10839320 |
| Manufacurer | Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. |
| Brand | MERCEDES BENZ |
| Model | GL450 |
| Model Year | 2007 |
| File date | 01/03/16 |
| Component | SEATS |
| Product type code | VEHICLE |
| Description of the problem | While driving to work this morning, i turned on the drivers side seat warmer. Less than three minutes later, i noticed a strong odor followed by a considerable amount of smoke and heat coming from the side of the seat nearest the door. I felt what i thought was something poking me in the left rear pocket of my pants, and burned the back of my knuckle checking for the source of the heat. I immediately shut off the heater and pulled off at the first safe location. I exited the vehicle (a pall of smoke followed me) and knocked the smoking embers out of the vehicle (a hole larger than a quarter is burned in the seat). I also noticed a hole was burned through my pants. Apparently, i came very close to significant personal injury, not to mention the fact of possible loss of control of the vehicle. We called the dealer and they scheduled the car for next monday. Researching into the issue, mine is not an isolated case as there are multiple class action lawsuits and complaints with the nhtsa. Obviously, these seats are defective, mercedes is aware, the passenger seat is next and is not safe. |
| Vehicle Mileage at Failure | 100101 |
| Number of Occurences | |
| Source of the issue | NHTSA WEB SITE |
| City and State | ALEXANDRIA, VA |
| VIN pattern | 4JGBF71EX7AXXXXXX |
| Was vehicle invloved in a crash? | N |
| Was vehicle involved in a fire? | Y |
| Was incedent reported to police? | N |
| Was medical attention required? | N |
| Was part original equipment? | |
| No. of injured persons | 1 |
| No. of fatalities | 0 |
| Date of purchase | 07/08/26 |
| Was original owner? | N |
| Anti-lock brakes | N |
| Cruise control | N |
| Number of cylinders | |
| Drive train type | |
| Transmission type | |
| Vehicle speed | 15 |
| DoT tire identifier | |
| Tire size | |
| Location of tire code | |
| Type of tire failure code | |
| Was defective tire repaired? | |
| Date of manufacture | |
| Type of child seat code | |
| Type of restraint | |
| Dealer's name | |
| Dealer's telephone number | |
| Dealer's city | |
| Dealer's state code | |
| Dealer's ZIP code |