NHTSA Complaint #11365782 — 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, SHE BEGAN TO SMELL AN ABNORMAL, BURNING ODOR EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE. AS THE CONTACT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE PASSENGER SEAT ERUPTED IN FLAMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY EXITED THE VEHICLE AND A LOCAL BYSTANDER CALLED THE AUTHORITIES. ONCE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, THEY WERE ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AS A RESULT OF THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT VERBALLY INFORMED THAT CONTACT AT THE SCENE THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE; SHE WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DESTROYED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO HER HOME DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 240,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.