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SeatsPart report

2004 Mercedes-Benz ML350 Seats Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
11%of 35 total for the year
Median mileage
86,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the seats of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML350, 11% of the 35 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 86,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Front seats gets very hot whenever we turn on the seat warmer option. This started to happen at least from 5 to 6 months. We are scared it might burn our backs. Thanks”

NHTSA complaint #11208012, filed 2019-05, 100,000 miles

“I have a 2004 mercedes ML350 SUV and I turned on the seat heater and it got so hot that I had to turn it off. The left side of the seat burned so hot that I had to move my body and weight to my right side because it felt like you were sitting on coals - even through the leather interior. I did not use it again because the weather was not that cold. The next person to use it was my mother. She was driving my car and I was next to her and she turned on her seat heater and after a few minutes she screamed because the heat of the seat heater was so piercing. …”

NHTSA complaint #10253406, filed 2008-12, 73,000 miles

“May 2010 I have problem in my 2004 ML350. My wife turned on the drivers side seat heater to the high setting. Within a short time the heater had burned through the leather seat. The seat caught fire in a small spot ( like a cigarette burn) while my wife was driving and almost caused her to have an accident. This issue is repeated several times in online searches I did for the 03 and 04 ML350. I spoke to a benz roadside assistance mechanic and he said he has seen this happen before and that it is a short in the seat wiring. He said he would look into it but I have not heard back from him. …”

NHTSA complaint #10332535, filed 2010-05, 65,500 miles

Related service bulletins

Seats: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201411%
201312%
201133%
200911%
200834%
20073036%
2006148%
2005313%
2004411%
2003728%

Other parts of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML350

Steering
6 complaints
Air bags
5 complaints
Brakes
4 complaints
Electrical system
4 complaints
Fuel system
4 complaints
Engine cooling
3 complaints
Engine
2 complaints
Exterior lighting
2 complaints
Other or unknown
2 complaints
Body and structure
2 complaints
Equipment
1 complaints
Tires
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML350

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology