NHTSA complaint: 2021 MERCEDES-BENZ GLS450 — SEATS
On [XXX], I was heading home from work traveling [XXX] on [XXX] through Atlanta's usual heavy traffic. I smelled smoke inside my car and saw fire flames coming from under my passenger seat. My initial reaction was to try to put the fire out with my hat without burning myself. Also, I had to try to navigate across multiple lanes of traffic without hitting anyone and avoiding anyone hitting me. Safely, i reached the side of the interstate and exited the vehicle. As I stood from afar watching my vehicle burn; the reality sat it that a few minutes earlier that could have been me trapped burning inside, injured or even death because something had failed in my vehicle. Later, when I finally arrived home, I started researching on the internet to see if anyone else had experienced problems with their MB 450 GLS catching fire. Surprisingly, I found that recalls had been issued in April 2022 and March 2024 for a possible fire risk from a 48volt loose ground wire issue under the passenger seat. At that time supposedly there were no reported injuries or crashes related to this issue until now. If I am the first to witness this issue, then so be it because I saw the fire burning from inside under my passenger seat before it FULLY torched my vehicle I reported this issue first to Progressive Insurance and Mercedes-Benz Corporate. Progressive has provided my transportation according to policy for my first 30 days. As I approached the end of my rental period, I spoke with MB C
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation