What 295 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Mercedes-benz E-class Coupe

I was pulling up the passenger seat to put something in the backseat of my parked car. The headrest unexpectedly deployed and a small plastic piece broke off. Now I am fearful this could happen when driving the car, potentially harming myself or others. A witness saw what happened. There was no warning.

NHTSA ODI 11464681

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The back of the driver seat failed due to my car being rear ended. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Unable to sit looking straight forward when driving. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. By Mercedes Benz dealer Fletcher Jones of Newport Beach, CA. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? I have reported the problem to my auto insurance co.: AAA. AAA said they need to send their own appraiser to confirm the finding of the Mercedes Benz dealer. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? None. My auto was rear ended on 3-22-21. Immediately, the problem was reported to AAA. Prior to 3-22-21, my auto was with my regular repair shop for regular oil changes and nothing was reported was wrong with the driver seat. I waiting for AAA decision in order to do repairs. I have three emails from Mercedes dealer and from AAA auto insurance. I could not figure out to forward them to you.

NHTSA ODI 11433714

THE AIRBAG IN THE HEADREST, JUST NOTICE IT WAS LOSE, NO ACCIDENT OR ANYTHING TOOK CAR TO DEALER THE CAR IS UNDER FACTOR WARRANTY AND WAS TOLD I HAD TO PAY FOR IT. ALSO THERE WAS WATER COMING INSIDE OF MY CAR, TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THEY SAID THE SUN ROOF WAS CLOGGED AGAIN MY CAR IS UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY, THEY STATED IT IS POSSIBLY A RECALL, THE PART WAS 32.00 AND THE LABOR WAS 458.00. I PARK IN A GARAGE, CAR ONLY HAVE 57,000 MILES AND I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT.

NHTSA ODI 11096792

PASSENGER SEAT HARNESS WENT OUT. NO POWER TO SEAT WILL NOT MOVE SAFETY CONCERN FOR CRASH

NHTSA ODI 10992905

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MERCEDES-BENZ E350. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL SMOKE ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATING ELEMENT IN THE DRIVER SEAT BECAME OVERHEATED AND BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT CUSHION AND THE CONTACT'S PANTS. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,890. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10888754

1. OIL LEAK FROM THE OIL COOLER ASSEMBLY IN THE DIESEL ENGINE. OBVIOUSLY, A CHEAP GASKET WAS USED TO SEAL IT! MB, WITH DIESEL EXPERIENCE OF OVER 80 YRS, SHOULD KNOW BY NOW WHAT MATERIAL THEY USE IN THEIR DIESEL ENGINE. THIS DEFECT WILL DEVELOP IN EVERY CAR THEY MADE IN THE SAME WAY AND THEY SHOULD RECALL THE CARS AND CORRECT THE ISSUE 2. THE DRIVER SEAT IS TORN ALONG THE TUFT IN THE SEAT.THIS IS HAPPENING ACROSS THE BOARD ION ALL MB CARS USING THE SAME MATERIALS. AGAIN, IT IS A MATERIAL ISSUE AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED. OLD MB SEATS LASTED FOR DECADES!

NHTSA ODI 10823698

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ON LAYTON AVE AND 43RD STREET, AND OUT OF NOWHERE THE HEADRESTS OF THE VEHICLE EXPLODED, PUSHING MY NECK FORWARD. GRANTED I WENT OVER A HOLE NOT THAT BIG, BUT THE EXPLOSION WAS SO DRASTIC THAT IT PUSHED MY SEAT FORWARD AND MY NECK IS NOW SORE AND TENDER FROM THE IMPACT. I AM REALLY SCARE NOW THAT THIS CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE. I CALLED MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THEY WANT ME TO BRING THE CAR SO THE CAN RESET THE SYSTEM. I DON'T LIKE THAT IDEA, BECAUSE I GOT THIS CAR BRAND NEW AND NOW THE VALUE REALLY CHANGE. I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN IT ANYMORE. I DON'T THINK MERCEDES IS WILLING TO TAKE THE CAR BACK EITHER. SHOULD I FOLLOW A LAWSUIT? I HAVE 5 MONTHS LEFT ON THIS LEASE BUT ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN WITH THIS CAR NOW SINCE ALREADY SHOWED SOME MALFUNCTION. HEADRESTS ARE SUPPOSED TO POPPED OUT ONLY IF YOU ARE REAR ENDED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10543847