Mercedes SUV's Seat Warmers Investigated
02-08-2005, 10:20 AM
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Mercedes SUV's Seat Warmers Investigated
Mercedes SUV's Seat Warmers Investigated
Associated Press
DETROIT - Federal safety officials are investigating a Mercedes-Benz sport utility vehicle after getting three complaints that the driver's side seat warmers can overheat, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday.
The investigation involves ML320 SUVs from the 2003 model year, NHTSA said. In one case, a driver allegedly sustained second-degree burns. NHTSA said the seat covers also may burn.
A Mercedes spokesman did not immediately return a call for comment Monday.
NHTSA also is investigating several models of minivans from Mercedes' parent company, DaimlerChrysler AG. Consumers reported that the headlights may flicker and go off while the minivans are moving, NHTSA said.
The investigation involves Dodge Caravan and Grand Caravan, Plymouth Voyager and Chrysler Town and Country minivans from the 2001 and 2002 model years.
Chrysler spokesman Max Gates said there are around 744,000 minivans from those model years on the road. He said the company is working with the NHTSA.
NHTSA investigations can lead to vehicle recalls.
Associated Press
DETROIT - Federal safety officials are investigating a Mercedes-Benz sport utility vehicle after getting three complaints that the driver's side seat warmers can overheat, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday.
The investigation involves ML320 SUVs from the 2003 model year, NHTSA said. In one case, a driver allegedly sustained second-degree burns. NHTSA said the seat covers also may burn.
A Mercedes spokesman did not immediately return a call for comment Monday.
NHTSA also is investigating several models of minivans from Mercedes' parent company, DaimlerChrysler AG. Consumers reported that the headlights may flicker and go off while the minivans are moving, NHTSA said.
The investigation involves Dodge Caravan and Grand Caravan, Plymouth Voyager and Chrysler Town and Country minivans from the 2001 and 2002 model years.
Chrysler spokesman Max Gates said there are around 744,000 minivans from those model years on the road. He said the company is working with the NHTSA.
NHTSA investigations can lead to vehicle recalls.
02-08-2005, 11:34 AM
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I get the same thing in my 2000 ML430! I hate it. Have to switch off the warmer after a couple minutes (or turn it down to the single light). I just thought it was normal since we have never had warmers. But then again, don't use them much here in Vegas 
Now, in DC we use warmers quite a lot in the winter.
Now, in DC we use warmers quite a lot in the winter.
02-08-2005, 07:06 PM
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2001 ML 430
Seat burned my buns
Well, this one is true. I had the seat covers replaced after repeated burns on my right leg from one of these malfunctioning heating elements. It eventually burned a spot into the leather so they could see what I was talking about. I have a picture somewhere. The dealer said they replaced the seat, but I think they just replaced the covers.
It started out feeling like I was being pinched and it took a long time to figure out what it actually was.
It started out feeling like I was being pinched and it took a long time to figure out what it actually was.
02-09-2005, 07:45 PM
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Damn....consider yourselves lucky. My lower heating unit in the drivers seat is blown. I have to replace it for around $200. My @ss is cold!!!! But my lower back is nice and toasty!
02-09-2005, 08:23 PM
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Just out of curiosity..
Is it possible to install seat warmers on seats that didn't come with that option from the factory?
If yes, how hard would it be?
If yes, how hard would it be?
02-09-2005, 09:49 PM
#6
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Originally Posted by mihir_d
Is it possible to install seat warmers on seats that didn't come with that option from the factory?
If yes, how hard would it be?
If yes, how hard would it be?
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02-11-2005, 01:24 AM
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2014 C250 sport
ya this is a problem. This happened in the driver's seat of my dad's '03 ML55, I was driving it and all of the sudden it got extremely hot so I turned it off. After a few seconds there was a horrible burning smell, so we took the car in and they had to replace the bottom seat cover/leather and coils. They better recall this.
02-17-2005, 09:32 PM
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'01 ML430, '03 C320 Coupe MT, '14 GL450
Originally Posted by 55fanatic
PITA... You have to take the cover off the seat and then you need to hollow out the cushion a little to fit the heating packs in... I have a website somewhere that shows how to do it and the other different options you could do while your in the seat, like massagers too
