2004 Mercedes-Benz ML500 Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 17%of 18 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 95,600miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the seats of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML500, 17% of the 18 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 95,600 miles. 2 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.
“I was driving on the highway and the heated seat was turned on the passenger side of my mercedes ml 500 with my 17 daughter sitting in the seat. The car started to smell and my daughters seat felt hot to her. She tried to move her self over and burnt the palm of her hand on the side of the seat. The heated seat had been burning at a very hot temperature and was melting the leather on the seat. I immediately turned off the seat and opened the windows to help cool it off. It took 30 minutes or more for the seat to cool off in that spot. …”
NHTSA complaint #10445967, filed 2012-01, 141,000 miles“The contact owns a 2004 mercedes benz ML500. While driving 35 MPH, the driver seat became extremely hot while the warmer function was activated. The vehicle was pulled over and the seat was red and smoking. The contact parked the vehicle for 30 minutes and then restarted it and drove home. The contact suffered burns on his left side. The dealer inspected the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 50,200. Updated 01-10-08. The dealer stated defroster not working. Updated 12/31/07”
NHTSA complaint #10210172, filed 2007-11, 50,200 miles“2004 mercedes benz ML500 driver seat caught fire while driving. Consumer states that due to the seat catching fire he suffered mild burns on the left hip. The heating pad in the drivers seat shorted out and caused the leather and seat cushion to burn.”
NHTSA complaint #10217175, filed 2008-01Related service bulletins
- 10248162Dec 4, 2023Crease formation on genuine leather seat covers in vehicles with low mileage ⢠Objects left on the seats for extended periods of time (pressure marks). ⢠Objects wedged…
- 11031635May 18, 2018To enhance the satisfaction of our customers, avoid further costs of litigation and return focus to its core business, Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) entered into a settlement…
- 10034608Feb 5, 2010Mercedes: the electrically folding 3rd seat row makes noises while folding up and down, or the folding function does not work at all. A warning message about locking the 3rd seat…
Seats: other model years
Other parts of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML500
5 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Mercedes-Benz ML500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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