Owners of the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C200 are encountering an unexpected issue with their vehicle’s seats, specifically models equipped with MB Tex vinyl interiors. Reports have surfaced detailing a perplexing white, oily residue appearing on the seats, causing concern and prompting action from Mercedes-Benz. This issue, primarily affecting US-built 2015 C-Class sedans, is something potential and current owners should be aware of.
This residue is not a permanent stain in most cases and can often be cleaned with warm, soapy water, restoring the seat’s original appearance. Interestingly, in some instances, the residue disappears on its own, only to reappear later in a different pattern, adding to the frustration of owners. Despite the temporary nature of the visual problem, the recurring and unpredictable nature of this issue is understandably causing concern among 2015 Mercedes C200 owners. Many have contacted Mercedes-Benz to express their dissatisfaction and seek a permanent resolution.
Mercedes-Benz has acknowledged the problem and issued a technical service bulletin (TSB) to dealerships to address these complaints. According to reports from MBWorld.org forums, the TSB instructs service technicians to replace both the headrest and the seat cover in affected 2015 Mercedes C200 vehicles. However, there’s an exception for the front passenger-side seat bottom due to “factory calibration issues,” suggesting the problem’s complexity. For new 2015 C-Class models still in dealership inventories exhibiting the residue, the directive is to treat them with soapy water, seemingly as a temporary measure before customer delivery. These actions, while addressing immediate customer concerns, do not appear to be long-term solutions to the underlying cause.
Black MB Tex seats, in both standard and sport configurations, seem to be particularly prone to this residue issue. However, there are also reports and visual evidence suggesting that lighter colors like Silk Beige MB Tex are not entirely immune, with instances of residue speckles being observed.
The exact composition of the residue is still under investigation, but forum discussions suggest it could be a “plasticizer” used to enhance the vinyl’s flexibility. Mercedes-Benz has reportedly informed some owners that the substance poses “no health risks.” Despite this reassurance, some owners remain concerned, especially those with young children who frequently occupy the car. The unpredictable nature and unknown long-term effects of the residue understandably raise questions about safety and material integrity for 2015 Mercedes C200 owners.
Autoblog has reached out to Mercedes-Benz USA and Daimler, the parent company, for further clarification on the issue and to inquire about long-term solutions for both existing owners and future production of the 2015 Mercedes C200. According to sources, Mercedes-Benz is actively investigating the problem and intends to address all customer complaints within the first quarter of this year. This commitment suggests that a more comprehensive and permanent fix for the 2015 Mercedes C200 seat residue issue may be forthcoming. Owners are advised to stay in contact with their dealerships for updates and to report any occurrences of this residue to ensure their vehicles are included in any potential recall or expanded service actions.
