Drivers seat catches on FIRE
11-10-2012, 09:58 PM
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C240 96 Impala SS 6 speed conversion
Drivers seat catches on FIRE
While driving along my wife observed smoke coming from my left side. I was driving our 2005 C240 and she was in the front passenger seat. A moment before she switched on high both heated front seats. Mine malfunctioned and actually burned through the left side bolster. It burned my fleece vest, and I never felt it! The smoke was what caught her eye. I pulled to the shoulder and exited the car. I realised the heated seat element cooked through the leather and shut the dash switch off. The smoldering stopped and we were on our way.
I have had episodes where our Acura heated seat element failed, but no human toaster effect. Anyone out there have any idea how common this is?
I did file a NHTSA complaint.
Pics of the seat are at:
http://minimalfear.smugmug.com/Cars/...7172&k=ft5dHrP
I have had episodes where our Acura heated seat element failed, but no human toaster effect. Anyone out there have any idea how common this is?
I did file a NHTSA complaint.
Pics of the seat are at:
http://minimalfear.smugmug.com/Cars/...7172&k=ft5dHrP
Last edited by OnDuty; 11-11-2012 at 09:06 PM. Reason: add pics
11-10-2012, 11:43 PM
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2005 c230 kompressor 2003 s500 94 wrangler
this is sum bs i have heated seats also...think if your wife didnt see u burning
this isnt common at all...if this was me i'd go completely insane at the mercedes dealer
this isnt common at all...if this was me i'd go completely insane at the mercedes dealer
11-11-2012, 12:55 AM
#3
Super Member
If you complain at the Mercedes-Benz dealership,... they`ll tell you its a new feature,... front seat fireplace! 
11-14-2012, 03:54 PM
#4
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It's a new attempt at population control by the NWO !!! ha
Glad you car didn't catch fire, or you for that matter.
I'd be grabbing tools, and opening the hood pronto to disconnect the battery in case the switch didn't work. I'd pull the fuse it's a separate one.
Better check that. Pull that fuse baby, so no one accidentally turns on the seat heater.
Glad you car didn't catch fire, or you for that matter.
I'd be grabbing tools, and opening the hood pronto to disconnect the battery in case the switch didn't work. I'd pull the fuse it's a separate one.
Better check that. Pull that fuse baby, so no one accidentally turns on the seat heater.
11-14-2012, 04:09 PM
#5
Out Of Control!!
The manual clearly states "Please wait 30 minutes after a Mexican meal before operating vehicle." It's not their fault that people do not heed their warnings.
If this is legitimate, you have a serious beef with MB, no pun intended.
If this is legitimate, you have a serious beef with MB, no pun intended.
11-14-2012, 10:39 PM
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C240 96 Impala SS 6 speed conversion
I have a "meeting" set up with the Service Manager at the M-B Dealer where the car was purchased. Going against me -
It's 7 years old!
I am the 2nd owner (I purchased it from a good friend who buys new every few years no matter the minimal mileage).
I get all my service from a local shop that ONLY works on M-B . . .but they are not a "Dealer".
Going for me:
It has barely 43K on its odometer and is a pristine garaged example of the breed.
If I was a braindead nimrod it could've ended in a catastrphic result.
A M-B Dealer should want to examine, investigate and report back to corporate on their findings. If it's cause can be determined it has to be addressed . . .they LOVE spouting off about safety nearly as much as Volvo!
We'll see . . .I will post the results on this board.
Worse case I'll be searching for a junkyard seat with a heater element . . .
It's 7 years old!
I am the 2nd owner (I purchased it from a good friend who buys new every few years no matter the minimal mileage).
I get all my service from a local shop that ONLY works on M-B . . .but they are not a "Dealer".
Going for me:
It has barely 43K on its odometer and is a pristine garaged example of the breed.
If I was a braindead nimrod it could've ended in a catastrphic result.
A M-B Dealer should want to examine, investigate and report back to corporate on their findings. If it's cause can be determined it has to be addressed . . .they LOVE spouting off about safety nearly as much as Volvo!
We'll see . . .I will post the results on this board.
Worse case I'll be searching for a junkyard seat with a heater element . . .
Last edited by OnDuty; 11-14-2012 at 10:40 PM. Reason: spelling
11-14-2012, 11:39 PM
#7
MBWorld Fanatic!
3-1 odds they just give you an outrageous number, and offer to pay part of it, as "Goodwill".
Pull that fuse before you forget.
Watching your car catch on fire, amd anything else near it, like your house, after you already knew you had a problem won't be fun.
Pull that fuse before you forget.
Watching your car catch on fire, amd anything else near it, like your house, after you already knew you had a problem won't be fun.
Last edited by C230 Sport Coup; 11-14-2012 at 11:42 PM.
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11-15-2012, 12:32 AM
#8
Super Member
When visiting your MB dealership,.... don`t forget to wear your smoking jacket,... err, I mean smoking vest,.... the fleece vest that got burned.
11-15-2012, 07:45 AM
#9
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white and whiter
Instead of contacting your local MB dealership, just take and send photos to contact mbusa directly. It'll save you a lot more BS from the dealership and actually get something done.
Btw, those bot accounts are hitting new low...now i can actually see the fake signature on their profile. Lmao....
Btw, those bot accounts are hitting new low...now i can actually see the fake signature on their profile. Lmao....
11-15-2012, 02:36 PM
#10
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Frank! Whattaya up to mang? Ah....you are guru!
We're not worthy!!!
Pffft.
Last edited by C230 Sport Coup; 11-15-2012 at 02:48 PM.
11-15-2012, 10:13 PM
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C240 96 Impala SS 6 speed conversion
Hmmm . . .no nomex in the wardrobe . . .yet! But I would've worn it to the dealership if I had it. Today, dockers and that toasted vest had to do.
At the risk of upsetting the pious, I am about as “comfortable” in a dealership as I am in church. None-the-less there I was 10:30 AM, parking my C in the lot near the service area entrance of Cherry Hill M-B.
It is the dealer who sold the car seven years ago.
Walking through the door I must admit I was in awe of the mix of M-B rolling stock waiting for their attention. I wanted one of each please.
The place was jamming. I mean B-U-S-Y!
I have the good luck of counting several (three actually) owners-operators of small local garages who repair the general populations cars as friends. None have the thriving business this dealership seems to have.
If our country has fallen upon hard times, you'd never know it by the activity at this place!
And, I don't know how to say this except the place smelled like MONEY.
Everything pristine, polished and in place.
The only thing out-of-place was “me”.
At any rate, I found a spot to wait a chance to get the attention of one of those uber-busy service writers. I explained my mission and who I was there to meet. The youngster scampered around back, and after an appropriate waiting period the Grand Po bah appeared.
The man was large and in charge and only slightly interested in my story.
We walked outside where he evaluated my car. He opened the passenger side door, peered in at the burnt hole on the drivers seat and asked for the keys. He moved into the drivers seat, worked the ignition and examined the dash computer for malfunctions. In less than a minute he was out and simply standing there, expressionless.
I asked if Mercedes would stand behind their product and make the repair.
He looked me in the eye and said . . . “We will fix the car, but you would have to sign a liability waiver”.
Not a problem.
A quick handshake and he left me with one of those very busy but super professional and polite youngsters serving as service writers.
I should've said, Thank you Santa, as he looked a bit like the actor playing Santa in all those M-B commercials filling the sponsor space available to every NFL game this coming Sunday!
When I pressed a bit as to how out-of-the-ordinary this was, he indicated it happens. Not too frequently but it does occur. He said the wires for whatever reason weaken and fray and as a result the electricity jumping across the break in the wire creates the heat and resultant fire.
I asked shouldn't the energy switch off as soon as the malfunction starts, prior to smoke & flame? A simple “no” was the response.
He also indicated they would “notify Mercedes” of exactly what happened.
Makes sense.
One of the best things about this C is its toasty seats,! They are so welcome now that the tan lines are fading away and sweaters and coats reappear. I would love to see a heated steering wheel as well!
BUT-
The only way you can get toasty temps is to feed enough juice to create that heat, and that much juice requires a big fuse, which means plenty of potential for exactly the smoke and flame I experienced when a small wire frays.
I'll update this post when the repair is actually made, but it seems the “fix is in”. The part(s) are on order and they will call me when they are in and schedule the repair. I am spared a BIG repair bill as the parts are well over $500 not including labor.
Extra credit to Cherry Hill Mercedes Benz for stepping up and doing the right thing.
I am very suspect of dealerships and am pleasantly surprised by the way this weird experience has worked out.
Interestingly, the seat fire is NOT so uncommon. Edmunds has a great read which essentially lists M-B and BMW as the top two fire starters.
http://www.edmunds.com/car-safety/he...rn-danger.html
At the risk of upsetting the pious, I am about as “comfortable” in a dealership as I am in church. None-the-less there I was 10:30 AM, parking my C in the lot near the service area entrance of Cherry Hill M-B.
It is the dealer who sold the car seven years ago.
Walking through the door I must admit I was in awe of the mix of M-B rolling stock waiting for their attention. I wanted one of each please.
The place was jamming. I mean B-U-S-Y!
I have the good luck of counting several (three actually) owners-operators of small local garages who repair the general populations cars as friends. None have the thriving business this dealership seems to have.
If our country has fallen upon hard times, you'd never know it by the activity at this place!
And, I don't know how to say this except the place smelled like MONEY. Everything pristine, polished and in place.
The only thing out-of-place was “me”.
At any rate, I found a spot to wait a chance to get the attention of one of those uber-busy service writers. I explained my mission and who I was there to meet. The youngster scampered around back, and after an appropriate waiting period the Grand Po bah appeared.
The man was large and in charge and only slightly interested in my story.
We walked outside where he evaluated my car. He opened the passenger side door, peered in at the burnt hole on the drivers seat and asked for the keys. He moved into the drivers seat, worked the ignition and examined the dash computer for malfunctions. In less than a minute he was out and simply standing there, expressionless.
I asked if Mercedes would stand behind their product and make the repair.
He looked me in the eye and said . . . “We will fix the car, but you would have to sign a liability waiver”.
Not a problem.
A quick handshake and he left me with one of those very busy but super professional and polite youngsters serving as service writers.
I should've said, Thank you Santa, as he looked a bit like the actor playing Santa in all those M-B commercials filling the sponsor space available to every NFL game this coming Sunday!
When I pressed a bit as to how out-of-the-ordinary this was, he indicated it happens. Not too frequently but it does occur. He said the wires for whatever reason weaken and fray and as a result the electricity jumping across the break in the wire creates the heat and resultant fire.
I asked shouldn't the energy switch off as soon as the malfunction starts, prior to smoke & flame? A simple “no” was the response.
He also indicated they would “notify Mercedes” of exactly what happened.
Makes sense.
One of the best things about this C is its toasty seats,! They are so welcome now that the tan lines are fading away and sweaters and coats reappear. I would love to see a heated steering wheel as well!
BUT-
The only way you can get toasty temps is to feed enough juice to create that heat, and that much juice requires a big fuse, which means plenty of potential for exactly the smoke and flame I experienced when a small wire frays.
I'll update this post when the repair is actually made, but it seems the “fix is in”. The part(s) are on order and they will call me when they are in and schedule the repair. I am spared a BIG repair bill as the parts are well over $500 not including labor.
Extra credit to Cherry Hill Mercedes Benz for stepping up and doing the right thing.
I am very suspect of dealerships and am pleasantly surprised by the way this weird experience has worked out.
Interestingly, the seat fire is NOT so uncommon. Edmunds has a great read which essentially lists M-B and BMW as the top two fire starters.
http://www.edmunds.com/car-safety/he...rn-danger.html
11-16-2012, 08:54 AM
#12
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Pleased they assisted you. Interesting. I've never seen this happen. I shall watch mine but I very seldom use them.
11-16-2012, 10:31 AM
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2005 c230 kompressor 2003 s500 94 wrangler
im wonder what they would say if your entire car was engulfed with flames...for example i sometimes leave my car running when i run into a store with my heated seats on
what a piece of crap car cant even trust it anymore
what a piece of crap car cant even trust it anymore
11-16-2012, 02:12 PM
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'02 C230 Coupe (Me) '03 SLK320 6MT (Wife)
Wow..Chicago must be better than Atlanta. You'd just have to file that one with your insurance when you came back out around here! Even in your drive way or garage in a lot of the areas.
11-17-2012, 08:16 PM
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2005 c230 kompressor 2003 s500 94 wrangler
i only got liability lol for 300 a year so if someone hops in my car im gunna have to chase him
11-18-2012, 02:33 AM
#17
MBWorld Fanatic!
Glad there doing the right thing, when I was reading threw this I was expecting to get too the end were the dealership throws out a ridiculous price that they ask you too pay. Glad this story has a happier ending. Hope everything works out good and head-ache free 
11-19-2012, 03:48 PM
#18
MBWorld Fanatic!
It aint over till the fat lady sings.
I'll believe it when the OP states he had a ZERO balance upon leaving the dealer.
I'll believe it when the OP states he had a ZERO balance upon leaving the dealer.
12-07-2012, 12:54 AM
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C240 96 Impala SS 6 speed conversion
Well, it is over and done and in the end the Dealer did do the right thing.
I dropped my C240 off at Cherry Hill Mercedes (NJ) on December 4th, was provided a Budget Rental 2012 Lincoln MKZ, for a loaner while they hammered away at replacing the seat cover and heat element.
On December 6th it was done.
ZERO charge and I am out the door with a working heated seat.
I did have to sign a liability waiver which essentially said, zero harm or foul as an exchange for them making this repair. In the end, I learned the fuse may or may not trip and any heated seat is vulnerable. I also learned Mercedes - in my estimation did the right thing.
I expect some extra credit does go to Cherry Hill M-B, and their supervising service manager.
PS: The Lincoln MKZ is/was a great way for me to appreciate the little C240 in a whole new way!
PSS: They maybe upset with the drool marks I left all over the showroom C63 AMG BLACK ( splendid in white!).
I dropped my C240 off at Cherry Hill Mercedes (NJ) on December 4th, was provided a Budget Rental 2012 Lincoln MKZ, for a loaner while they hammered away at replacing the seat cover and heat element.
On December 6th it was done.
ZERO charge and I am out the door with a working heated seat.
I did have to sign a liability waiver which essentially said, zero harm or foul as an exchange for them making this repair. In the end, I learned the fuse may or may not trip and any heated seat is vulnerable. I also learned Mercedes - in my estimation did the right thing.
I expect some extra credit does go to Cherry Hill M-B, and their supervising service manager.
PS: The Lincoln MKZ is/was a great way for me to appreciate the little C240 in a whole new way!
PSS: They maybe upset with the drool marks I left all over the showroom C63 AMG BLACK ( splendid in white!).
02-09-2013, 11:21 AM
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2005 C230 Sport Kompressor (manual transmission)
Happened to me last week. Driving to work I felt the seat was a little hot, especially on my lower left side.... Then got much hotter and I smelled that awful burning smell... immediately turned the seat warmer off, but not before it burned through my seat, my jacket and the fleece I was wearing underneath....
Have not yet been to the dealer yet (Alexandria, VA), but I am encouraged by your story...hope this dealership provides the same service. Car is also still covered by the Carmax extended warranty, too (which has provided great coverage on past cars...).
I've had this 2005 C230 Sport Kompressor (manual transmission) for just over four years and it has been the most reliable, trouble free car I've ever owned. Hopefully this event is an outlier and does not portend additional probs as the car get older...
Attached is picture of the seat (and my jacket...).
Anyone else have this problem?
Have not yet been to the dealer yet (Alexandria, VA), but I am encouraged by your story...hope this dealership provides the same service. Car is also still covered by the Carmax extended warranty, too (which has provided great coverage on past cars...).
I've had this 2005 C230 Sport Kompressor (manual transmission) for just over four years and it has been the most reliable, trouble free car I've ever owned. Hopefully this event is an outlier and does not portend additional probs as the car get older...
Attached is picture of the seat (and my jacket...).
Anyone else have this problem?
02-10-2013, 03:58 PM
#25
MBWorld Fanatic!
As if we '05 C230 owners didn't have enough to worry about with the timing chain issue, now we have to worry about being barbequed! Mrs. NCMudbug and I love our heated seats even though it doesn't get all that cold in NC. I guess we'll have to be a bit more watchful when we're using them!
Glad it worked out for you, OnDuty, and hopefully you'll get similar treatment, Rbatson.
