| Issue ID | 797052 |
| Internal NHTSA # | 10339102 |
| Manufacurer | MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. |
| Brand | MERCEDES BENZ |
| Model | ML500 |
| Model Year | 2007 |
| File date | 18/06/10 |
| Component | SEATS |
| Product type code | VEHICLE |
| Description of the problem | While driving my 2007 ml 500 suv, the passenger seat heater malfunctioned, resulting in an electrically induced smoldering fire. The heat source burned a dime sized hole completely through the leather seat, smoke started to appear and my skin started to burn right through my clothes. Thinking my clothes might burst into flames, i immediately came to a stop and safely jumped out of the car and then moments later turned off the car. Thankfully my clothes did not catch fire and i was not in busy traffic or this might have ended differently. If this is a problem with seat heaters in other mercedes benz cars, this malfunction could result in serious harm to its occupants and other drivers. The car dealership will replace the parts and repair the damage to my car. |
| Vehicle Mileage at Failure | 38735 |
| Number of Occurences | 1 |
| Source of the issue | NHTSA WEB SITE |
| City and State | ANCHORAGE,, AK |
| VIN pattern | 4JGBB75E27AXXXXXX |
| Was vehicle invloved in a crash? | N |
| Was vehicle involved in a fire? | Y |
| Was incedent reported to police? | N |
| Was medical attention required? | |
| Was part original equipment? | |
| No. of injured persons | |
| No. of fatalities | |
| 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 | 25 |
| 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 |