Serious fold-down seat issue
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 576
Likes: 8
From: Placitas, NM
E550
Serious fold-down seat issue
2011 E550, P2, super seats with memory, and fold down rear seats:
OK, let's look at another absolutely crazy case of engineering getting in the way of common sense . . . OR . . . MBZ failure to admit a serious defect.
If you fold down the passenger side rear seat, as expected the passenger front seat moves forward a bit and leans forward a bunch. Then, when the rear seat is all the way down, the passenger front seat is FROZEN, making it completely unusable by a front seat passenger, in spite of the Owner's Manual saying you can then move the seat and seatback back (page 278).
On the driver side, the front seat is NOT frozen, and behaves as the Owner's Manual says it should . . . you can move it back.
This has been tested in multiple cars, 550 and 350, and behaves that way in all of them.
In other words, a feature we paid big money for and, in my case, really needed, is completely useless if we have a passenger.
My local dealer, and apparently MBZ, says this is as designed, a ludicrous assertion.
Has anybody found a solution to this issue, or even noticed it?
OK, let's look at another absolutely crazy case of engineering getting in the way of common sense . . . OR . . . MBZ failure to admit a serious defect.
If you fold down the passenger side rear seat, as expected the passenger front seat moves forward a bit and leans forward a bunch. Then, when the rear seat is all the way down, the passenger front seat is FROZEN, making it completely unusable by a front seat passenger, in spite of the Owner's Manual saying you can then move the seat and seatback back (page 278).
On the driver side, the front seat is NOT frozen, and behaves as the Owner's Manual says it should . . . you can move it back.
This has been tested in multiple cars, 550 and 350, and behaves that way in all of them.
In other words, a feature we paid big money for and, in my case, really needed, is completely useless if we have a passenger.
My local dealer, and apparently MBZ, says this is as designed, a ludicrous assertion.
Has anybody found a solution to this issue, or even noticed it?
Last edited by Live Oak; Jul 3, 2011 at 08:59 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,794
Likes: 3
From: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
2011 E550, P2, super seats with memory, and fold down rear seats:
OK, let's look at another absolutely crazy case of engineering getting in the way of common sense . . . OR . . . MBZ failure to admit a serious defect.
If you fold down the passenger side rear seat, as expected the passenger front seat moves forward a bit and leans forward a bunch. Then, when the rear seat is all the way down, the passenger front seat is FROZEN, making it completely unusable by a front seat passenger, in spite of the Owner's Manual saying you can then move the seat and seatback back (page 278).
On the driver side, the front seat is NOT frozen, and behaves as the Owner's Manual says it should . . . you can move it back.
This has been tested in multiple cars, 550 and 350, and behaves that way in all of them.
In other words, a feature we paid big money for and, in my case, really needed, is completely useless if we have a passenger.
My local dealer, and apparently MBZ, says this is as designed, a ludicrous assertion.
Has anybody found a solution to this issue, or even noticed it?
OK, let's look at another absolutely crazy case of engineering getting in the way of common sense . . . OR . . . MBZ failure to admit a serious defect.
If you fold down the passenger side rear seat, as expected the passenger front seat moves forward a bit and leans forward a bunch. Then, when the rear seat is all the way down, the passenger front seat is FROZEN, making it completely unusable by a front seat passenger, in spite of the Owner's Manual saying you can then move the seat and seatback back (page 278).
On the driver side, the front seat is NOT frozen, and behaves as the Owner's Manual says it should . . . you can move it back.
This has been tested in multiple cars, 550 and 350, and behaves that way in all of them.
In other words, a feature we paid big money for and, in my case, really needed, is completely useless if we have a passenger.
My local dealer, and apparently MBZ, says this is as designed, a ludicrous assertion.
Has anybody found a solution to this issue, or even noticed it?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,794
Likes: 3
From: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
OK, I just tried my 2011 W212 and saw that it's different than the W211 in that the seat back moves forward too. Maybe you have to push both the seat back and seat cushion buttons simultaneously.
Last edited by BudC; Jul 4, 2011 at 10:47 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,794
Likes: 3
From: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
Can you move your front seat with the rear seat back unlatched? If so, what was the build date of your car?
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
s600
When I release the rear seatback the passenger seat moves fwd slightly, and the seatback moves to upright; after that I can move the seat fwd without restriction, I can move the seat backward to within about three inches of the folded rear seat, the seatback will not recline beyond vertical...build date 4/11
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,794
Likes: 3
From: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
When I release the rear seatback the passenger seat moves fwd slightly, and the seatback moves to upright; after that I can move the seat fwd without restriction, I can move the seat backward to within about three inches of the folded rear seat, the seatback will not recline beyond vertical...build date 4/11
This deserves more investigation.
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Super Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 672
Likes: 1
E350
Just checked my 2011 E350. I can lay passenger side back seat down, passenger side front seat moves forward and up. After that I can move front passenger seat any way I want...even back to hitting folded down headrest.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,794
Likes: 3
From: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
I don't see how there would be a difference between E550's and E350's.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,794
Likes: 3
From: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
It all depends on where the front seat is positioned to begin with.
One thing is good news, someone can ride in the seat in my car with the rear seat down because you can move the seat back to a point. With our 2008 E350, not even my wife could ride in the front seat with the rear seat back unlatched.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 576
Likes: 8
From: Placitas, NM
E550
>>>>>>>>> Just checked my 2011 E350. I can lay passenger side back seat down, passenger side front seat moves forward and up. After that I can move front passenger seat any way I want...even back to hitting folded down headrest <<<<<<<<<<<
MCF, do you have memeory seats?
MCF, do you have memeory seats?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 576
Likes: 8
From: Placitas, NM
E550
GREAT NEWS!!!!
GREAT NEWS!!!
I really pressed my dealer on this issue, after techs said it operates (locks the passenger seat) normally.
I just got a call from my dealer. They have a software flash to fix the problem!!!! And they tried it out on a new car and it works!
I go in for 10,000 in a few weeks and I'll get it done then.
The moral: local service people might say that some things are normal operation because there is no fix and no information from MBZ. And that's what they are trained to say. But we need to keep after them to pick up MBZ fixes when they occur, 'cause other people are comlaining, too, and eventually stuff can get to the people who have responsibility.
I really pressed my dealer on this issue, after techs said it operates (locks the passenger seat) normally.
I just got a call from my dealer. They have a software flash to fix the problem!!!! And they tried it out on a new car and it works!
I go in for 10,000 in a few weeks and I'll get it done then.
The moral: local service people might say that some things are normal operation because there is no fix and no information from MBZ. And that's what they are trained to say. But we need to keep after them to pick up MBZ fixes when they occur, 'cause other people are comlaining, too, and eventually stuff can get to the people who have responsibility.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,794
Likes: 3
From: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
GREAT NEWS!!!
I really pressed my dealer on this issue, after techs said it operates (locks the passenger seat) normally.
I just got a call from my dealer. They have a software flash to fix the problem!!!! And they tried it out on a new car and it works!
I go in for 10,000 in a few weeks and I'll get it done then.
The moral: local service people might say that some things are normal operation because there is no fix and no information from MBZ. And that's what they are trained to say. But we need to keep after them to pick up MBZ fixes when they occur, 'cause other people are comlaining, too, and eventually stuff can get to the people who have responsibility.
I really pressed my dealer on this issue, after techs said it operates (locks the passenger seat) normally.
I just got a call from my dealer. They have a software flash to fix the problem!!!! And they tried it out on a new car and it works!
I go in for 10,000 in a few weeks and I'll get it done then.
The moral: local service people might say that some things are normal operation because there is no fix and no information from MBZ. And that's what they are trained to say. But we need to keep after them to pick up MBZ fixes when they occur, 'cause other people are comlaining, too, and eventually stuff can get to the people who have responsibility.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 56
Likes: 21
From: Cleveland, OH
'23 EQS 580
Please post the info for the flash ...
I just got my car back from Service A and had asked them to do the fold down seat flash and they said they could not find anything in the Mercedes technical system about this, I am not sure they looked. Please give me the information so I can have them look again and hopefully fix this as it is a bit of a pain for front passenger with the rear seat down. Thanks in advance.
-Matt
-Matt
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 576
Likes: 8
From: Placitas, NM
E550
I'll take mine in in 600 miles for the 10,000 and have it done then. I'll get the TSB, or whatever, from them and pass it on. I'm surprised that your dealer can't find it. Mine is a 2011 E550 with memory seats, but I'm told they checked it on an E350. (Memory seats ~may~ have something to do with it.)
My dealer is Mercedes Benz of Albuquerque.
My dealer is Mercedes Benz of Albuquerque.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 1,293
From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
2011 E550, P2, super seats with memory, and fold down rear seats:
OK, let's look at another absolutely crazy case of engineering getting in the way of common sense . . . OR . . . MBZ failure to admit a serious defect.
If you fold down the passenger side rear seat, as expected the passenger front seat moves forward a bit and leans forward a bunch. Then, when the rear seat is all the way down, the passenger front seat is FROZEN, making it completely unusable by a front seat passenger, in spite of the Owner's Manual saying you can then move the seat and seatback back (page 278).
On the driver side, the front seat is NOT frozen, and behaves as the Owner's Manual says it should . . . you can move it back.
This has been tested in multiple cars, 550 and 350, and behaves that way in all of them.
In other words, a feature we paid big money for and, in my case, really needed, is completely useless if we have a passenger.
My local dealer, and apparently MBZ, says this is as designed, a ludicrous assertion.
Has anybody found a solution to this issue, or even noticed it?
OK, let's look at another absolutely crazy case of engineering getting in the way of common sense . . . OR . . . MBZ failure to admit a serious defect.
If you fold down the passenger side rear seat, as expected the passenger front seat moves forward a bit and leans forward a bunch. Then, when the rear seat is all the way down, the passenger front seat is FROZEN, making it completely unusable by a front seat passenger, in spite of the Owner's Manual saying you can then move the seat and seatback back (page 278).
On the driver side, the front seat is NOT frozen, and behaves as the Owner's Manual says it should . . . you can move it back.
This has been tested in multiple cars, 550 and 350, and behaves that way in all of them.
In other words, a feature we paid big money for and, in my case, really needed, is completely useless if we have a passenger.
My local dealer, and apparently MBZ, says this is as designed, a ludicrous assertion.
Has anybody found a solution to this issue, or even noticed it?
My car 2011 E350 built June 2010. Has the same issue but also found that it works correctly too.
When I go to my car in the morning and before anything else:
1. open the trunk
2. pull the passenger side rear seat back release in the trunk, which makes the front passenger seat back to move forward
3. open the right rear door (and car unlocks at the same time, it is a P2)
4. fold the seat back down
5. open front passenger door and voila, the passenger seat back moves back in correct position either with the seat back button or just holding down the memory button.
Above happens every time. After I drive the car or use the key remote it does not work any more but next morning after car has been sitting over night I can repeat this same.
It seems it could be the same way in all of these cars with the problem.
Take a video of this behavior and take to your dealer and ask why the German car engineers think it needs to work differently before you drive it in the morning. That is what I will do. Have the video already but have not had time to make a service visit yet.
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,550
Likes: 745
From: Cary, NC
2024 AMG EQE SUV , 2021 E63S Wagon - gone, 2018 E63S Sedan - gone
My car 2011 E350 built June 2010. Has the same issue but also found that it works correctly too.
When I go to my car in the morning and before anything else:
1. open the trunk
2. pull the passenger side rear seat back release in the trunk, which makes the front passenger seat back to move forward
3. open the right rear door (and car unlocks at the same time, it is a P2)
4. fold the seat back down
5. open front passenger door and voila, the passenger seat back moves back in correct position either with the seat back button or just holding down the memory button.
Above happens every time. After I drive the car or use the key remote it does not work any more but next morning after car has been sitting over night I can repeat this same.
It seems it could be the same way in all of these cars with the problem.
Take a video of this behavior and take to your dealer and ask why the German car engineers think it needs to work differently before you drive it in the morning. That is what I will do. Have the video already but have not had time to make a service visit yet.
When I go to my car in the morning and before anything else:
1. open the trunk
2. pull the passenger side rear seat back release in the trunk, which makes the front passenger seat back to move forward
3. open the right rear door (and car unlocks at the same time, it is a P2)
4. fold the seat back down
5. open front passenger door and voila, the passenger seat back moves back in correct position either with the seat back button or just holding down the memory button.
Above happens every time. After I drive the car or use the key remote it does not work any more but next morning after car has been sitting over night I can repeat this same.
It seems it could be the same way in all of these cars with the problem.
Take a video of this behavior and take to your dealer and ask why the German car engineers think it needs to work differently before you drive it in the morning. That is what I will do. Have the video already but have not had time to make a service visit yet.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 576
Likes: 8
From: Placitas, NM
E550
Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 99
Likes: 22
From: New York
2020 GLE450 polar white AMG pkg.
Don't complain, at least your rear seat folds flat. Mine does not fold at all, and I really would like to have this feature. Does anyone recall what package the rear seats folding is part of? I have a 2010 with P2. Thanks in advance.
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,794
Likes: 3
From: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
It's a separate option (#287) on both the 2011's and 2012's. It costs $440.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 1,293
From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
