I know the Heated Seat failure has a high failure rate, and many have reported the problem. I have used the search function...but have not seen an answer to the question. Your opinions are definetly welcome.

Has anyone found out what the cause is?

Is there a weakness in the design?

Does the heater element break in a particular place?

Is it a controller problem?

Is it a seat position problem causing stress at a particular point?

For those who have had it fixed, did it ever happen again?

Have any of the mechanical or electrical members taken the failure apart and identified the actual cause?

Any information would be helpful.

Thanks

 

the wires to the seats are stitched into the fabric instead of slipped into the foam. this causes the wires to break and cease working. it has been an issue on the slk mercedes since the inception of the r170 class. many use aftermarket heaters and wire it to the exisiting harness, others slice the foam and use the oem wiring leads into the foam instead of restitching them to the fabric

 

I suspect, pointy elbows, bony knees and bulging wallets may cause damage to the delicate wires. After having both my cushion heaters replaced I never kneel on, lean into or bounce onto my seats.