The contact owns a 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500. The contact stated that the driver's side heated seat caught on fire. There were no injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 101,000.

- Ider, AL, USA

When the seat heater was activated a burning smell filled the cabin. Some smoke came out of the lower, left side of the back of the driver's seat. The switch turned off on its own. There is a hole, approximately 3/4 in. In diameter on the seat.

- Chino Hills, CA, USA

This event is a one time occurrence--thank goodness! while driving down a 4 lane residential thoroughfare, the interior filled with smoke, I began coughing & gasping for air and the seat back became very hot, all seemingly simultaneous. Instantly opening windows provided oxygen & cleared the smoke as turning off the seat heater relieved the hot seat situation. Gratefully, I was not in freeway traffic, could pull to the curb. Examination on the left side of the drivers seat back, about waist high, revealed a hole about the size of a fat cigar burn. My seat had appeared about to burst into flames!

- San Juan Capistrano, CA, USA