Europa8455

Anyone got any bright ideas? The rear seat on my ML270 is stuck in the folded down position. Firstly, the pull button has disengaged from the cable so when you pull the button, it simply comes away in your hand.

Secondly, the locking mechanism (which is on the inner end of the seat, away from the doors) is locked. I can get at the cable (the other end of which is normally attached to the pull button), but pulling it does nothing.

Is there an easy (!) way to get the back off the seat to expose the release mechanism and is there an easy (!!) way to get at the locking mechanism to try and release it?

ML 500 mz

Same thing happened to me with my 03 ML500. Left rear seat stuck down. I checked Alldata, they said the seat has to be disassembled to repair. I don't think so.
I was unable to get the seat up. Problem is, with the seat down there's only about 1/2" between floor and seat. Long story short, I took it to a M/B dealer, they got the seat up ($122.00) and advised a release cable is needed @ $313.00 installed. Now that the seat is up I will be able to replace the cable. I'm waiting for warmer weahter.

Europa8455

I ended up taking it to a car upholsterer - they charged $600 to take the back of the seat off, repair the cables and put it back together again... A real pain but better than buying a new seat!

ML 500 mz

I was told this is a common problem w/ML's. Most times something at under the seat and damages the cable release when lowered. That's what happened to me. Good idea the check under the seat before you lower it.