NHTSA Complaint #10252047 — 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML350

MY FAMILY OWNS A 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML 350. A FEW WEEKS AGO, MY MOM NOTICED A BURN MARK ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT. WE BELIEVED ONE OF THE MECHANICS BURNT IT WITH A TOOL DURING THE CAR'S SERVICE. SO THIS BURN MARK WAS IGNORED. ON DEC. 13, 2008 AROUND 8:20 AM, MY MOM, WHO WAS DRIVING THE CAR, SMELLED SMOKE AND SAW SMOKE AND A SMALL FIRE FROM THE SIDE OF HER SEAT. SHE COULD NOT HAVE PULLED OVER QUICKLY BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC. SHE TURNED OFF THE SEAT WARMER. THEN SHE PUT IT OUT WITH A TOWEL SHE WAS SITTING ON, IT TOO WAS BURNT, BUT PREVENTED MY MOMS LEG FROM GETTING BURNED BY THE FIRE. THE FIRE HAS LEFT A BURNED HOLE IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT. I'VE CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE, WHICH THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A CASE LIKE MINE, NOR THE DEALERSHIP THAT I HAVE VISITED. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENT DOCUMENTED MY CASE AND FAXED A COPY TO THAT DEALERSHIP. I AM GOING TO MEET THE SERVICE MANAGER WHO IS TO GIVE ME MORE INFORMATION ON WHAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, FIXED, AND HOW MUCH IT IS GOING TO COST. THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *TR