Hello W164 folks! New here. I just bought my gently used '11 ML 350 and enjoying it so far, the only issues I'm having so far is this pesky seat issue and an inconsistent drivers' side blind-spot indicator (sometimes it works consistently, sometimes it flickers, sometimes does not work at all). Anyway, I'm coming here today to ask about the rear seat problem I'm having. I can't seem to fold the rear driver's side down to expand the trunk cargo space. Two things I've noticed, the red safety tab remains up even though it's in the locked, upright position (see below top pic) but when I pull the lever up, it only comes forward an inch or two, but it is clearing the bracket on the pillar (see second pic). I have no idea what is locking it in place, and am just seeing if anyone else has had this issue. I've felt around under the seat, thinking maybe something was wedged in down there, nothing. It's not the seat belts, both have give and retract as normal. Thanks all!

 

i see a cable in the parts diagram that looks like it runs down to the bottom middle of the seat from the release lever maybe. I'm not familiar with this mechanism, but it could be failing to release something down there where the seat hinges. I'll try and look at my seat and see if I can find anything.

 

Checking my car, that cable definitely pulls a pin at the hinge in the center of the car, so bottom right of the seat back if you are sitting in the seat. I'm betting that cable is detached from one end or something?

 

Are you tilting the bottom cushion up first?

 

Yes, but I think it would still be able to push it forward, it just wouldn't lie flat. It totally feels as though there's a second latch or something holding/locking it in, but I don't know what that could even be given the latch is disengaged from the pillar bracket or whatever it's called. It will move forward about an inch or so and then that's it.

 

The fact that the red safety tab is engaged (which indicates that the seat's not locked in place, when it really is) makes me think it's got to do with the release. Hmmm.