Mercedes-Benz Back Seat Removal
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The rear cushion comes out before the backrest, and it is held by locking tabs under its front edge rather than by bolts. Disconnect the battery before you unplug anything yellow under there, because yellow connectors are airbag circuits. It is also worth working out exactly what you are going in for, since a module scan often shows the fault is somewhere easier to reach.
At a Glance
- Tools: 10mm wrench, plastic pry tool, flat screwdriver.
- Order: the bottom cushion comes out first, then the backrest.
- Cushion: pull sharply upward near each front corner with your palm; do not lever the clips.
- Backrest: remove the 10mm bolts at its base, then push and slide it up off the tabs.
- Safety: disconnect the battery before unplugging any yellow airbag or pretensioner connector.
- After refitting: check belt buckles are not trapped and the airbag light goes out.
This guide provides instructions on how to remove the Mercedes-Benz rear seat cushions. Removing the Mercedes-Benz rear seat is a simple job, but read the battery and airbag note below before you unplug anything.
What you will need
- 10mm wrench
- Plastic pry tool
- Flat screwdriver
Procedure
Follow these steps to remove a Mercedes-Benz rear seat backrest and cushions.
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- Park the vehicle in a space where you can open both rear doors because you will be working on both ends.
- Press the button on the center console to fold down the rear headrests.
- First, release the locking tab of the rear seat cushion under the front sides of the seat and pull it towards you.
- Remove the three 10mm bolts, one in the middle and one at each end of the rear backrest.
- Push the rear backrest and slide it upward to release the tabs on the back, and you can take the backrest out.
But if, for some reason, the headrest doesn’t go down, unclip the plastic part of the headrest and use a flat screwdriver to pry the black tab inside the backrest so you can remove it.
Disconnect the battery before unplugging anything yellow
Rear seat assemblies on most Mercedes carry live circuits: side airbags in the backrest bolsters on many models, seat belt pretensioners and occupant detection wiring. Connectors for those systems are colored yellow. Disconnect the negative battery terminal and leave the car for a few minutes before unplugging them, otherwise you risk setting a permanent airbag fault that needs a dealer tool to clear, or in the worst case deploying something while your hands are next to it.
The cushion comes out before the backrest
The bottom cushion is held by clips at the front edge and is released by pulling sharply upward near each outer corner with the palm of your hand rather than levering with a screwdriver, which cracks the plastic clip housings. Once it is out you can reach the backrest bolts, which on most sedans sit at the base behind where the cushion was. Trying to take the backrest first is what bends the frame brackets.
Work out why you are going in there
On many Mercedes models this is the route to the fuel pump access cover, the rear SAM module, the auxiliary battery on some hybrids and mild hybrid models, or a damp carpet caused by a blocked sunroof drain. Knowing which one you are after saves pulling more trim than you need, and a quick module scan beforehand often tells you whether the fault is actually under there or somewhere easier to reach.
Refit the belts and check the warning lights
When everything is back in, make sure the rear seat belt stalks pass through their slots rather than being trapped under the cushion, and that each connector is clicked fully home. Reconnect the battery, switch the ignition on and confirm the airbag light goes out after its self test. If it stays on, something underneath is not plugged in properly, and the system will be disabled for the front occupants too until it is fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the airbag light on after I removed the rear seat?
A connector for a rear side airbag, belt pretensioner or seat occupancy sensor was probably unplugged or not fully clicked back in. Reconnect it with the battery disconnected, then clear the stored code with a scanner that reads the airbag module.
Does the rear seat on my Mercedes have clips or bolts?
On most models the bottom cushion is held by spring clips at the front edge and the backrest by bolts at its base and tabs at the top. Some models with folding rear seats use release levers instead, so check before pulling hard.
Do heated rear seats need to be unplugged?
Yes. Heated and ventilated rear seats have a connector under the cushion. Lift the cushion slowly and unplug it before pulling the seat out.
Can I remove the back seat without disconnecting the battery?
If the seat has no electrical connectors, yes. If you will unplug any yellow airbag or pretensioner connector, disconnect the battery first and wait a few minutes.
More guides: browse all of our Mercedes-Benz repair and troubleshooting guides.
