Mercedes-Benz has been the subject of numerous class action lawsuits over the past decade, and several have produced settlements that owners and former owners can still claim today. The largest involve diesel emissions cheating, but active litigation and completed settlements also cover moldy air conditioning systems, peeling Mars Red paint, emissions warranty parts, shattering panoramic sunroofs, corroded brake boosters, and defective four- and eight-cylinder engines.
If you own or once owned a Mercedes, the useful question is which case covers your vehicle and whether the claim window is open. The rundown below is organized around that.
Settlements You Can Still Claim
Diesel Emissions: $2,000 Per Vehicle
On December 22, 2025, a bipartisan coalition of 50 attorneys general announced a $149,673,750 settlement with Mercedes-Benz USA and Mercedes-Benz AG resolving state claims tied to diesel defeat devices. Eligible owners and lessees of affected vehicles can receive $2,000 after having the Approved Emissions Modification installed.1NY Attorney General. Attorney General James Secures $150 Million From Mercedes for Cheating on Emissions Standards
The modification must be completed between August 1, 2023, and July 31, 2026. Claims must be submitted by September 30, 2026, at www.MBAEMIncentive.com or by calling 888-865-4540.2WA Attorney General. AG Brown Announces $150 Million Multistate Settlement With Mercedes, Daimler Over Emissions Fraud
The affected vehicles are roughly 250,000 diesel BlueTEC passenger cars and Sprinter vans from model years 2009 through 2016. Regulators found the vehicles produced nitrogen oxide emissions up to 30 or 40 times the legal limit during normal driving while appearing to pass laboratory tests.1NY Attorney General. Attorney General James Secures $150 Million From Mercedes for Cheating on Emissions Standards
A note on the earlier diesel settlements: the $1.5 billion federal consent decree announced in September 2020 was a government enforcement action, not a consumer payment. A separate private class action produced a $700 million consumer settlement paying current owners $3,290 per vehicle, but the claim deadline for that one was October 1, 2022, and it is closed.3Hagens Berman. $700 Million Mercedes Diesel Emissions Class Action Settlement Details Announced The 2025 multistate deal is the currently open one.
Hazdovac: Reimbursement for 14 Emissions Warranty Parts
Hazdovac v. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC alleged that Mercedes-Benz failed to classify 14 vehicle components as “high-priced” emissions warranty parts under California regulations. High-priced parts carry a warranty of seven years or 70,000 miles, versus roughly three to four years or 50,000 miles for standard emissions parts. Owners say they paid out of pocket for repairs that should have been covered.4ClassAction.org. Mercedes-Benz Settlement Resolves Class Action Over High-Cost Emissions Warranty Parts
Covered parts include the power train control unit, accelerator pedal sensor, charcoal canister, coolant thermostat, crankcase ventilation system, and ESP electronic stability program control unit, among others.4ClassAction.org. Mercedes-Benz Settlement Resolves Class Action Over High-Cost Emissions Warranty Parts
You may qualify if you purchased or leased a model year 2015 or later Mercedes-Benz in one of 17 “Section 177 States” (California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, or Washington) and paid out of pocket for diagnosis, repair, or replacement of one of the 14 covered parts between 4 years/50,000 miles and 7 years/70,000 miles.5Hazdovac Emissions Warranty Settlement. Hazdovac v. MBUSA Settlement
The claims deadline is May 15, 2026, and a fairness hearing is set for June 25, 2026. Claims can be filed on the settlement website, by email, or by U.S. mail.7Hazdovac Emissions Warranty Settlement. Hazdovac v. MBUSA Settlement
HVAC Mold: Free Future Repairs
Amin et al. v. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC alleged that HVAC systems in roughly 2.5 million Mercedes-Benz vehicles let mold and mildew build up, producing foul cabin odors.6Law360. Mercedes-Benz Settles Moldy HVAC Suit Covering 2.5M Cars The nationwide settlement received final approval in September 2020.8Lieff Cabraser. Mercedes-Benz AC Mold
Eligible vehicles span ten model lines with production years from 2008 to 2019: C-Class (2008–2019), E-Class (2010–2019), GL-Class (2013–2016), GLE-Class (2016–2019), GLC-Class (2016–2019), GLA-Class (2015–2019), GLS-Class (2017–2019), GLK-Class (2010–2015), CLS-Class (2012–2017), and M-Class (2012–2015).8Lieff Cabraser. Mercedes-Benz AC Mold
The past-repair reimbursement window has closed. What remains open is future repair coverage: eligible owners can have mold-related HVAC repairs performed at an authorized Mercedes-Benz service center at no cost until the vehicle reaches 10 years from its in-service date or 125,000 miles, whichever comes first. No claim form is needed. You just bring the vehicle in. To qualify, the currently installed cabin filter must be an approved brand, and the vehicle must have been properly maintained during its two most recent service intervals.9Mercedes HVAC Settlement. Frequently Asked Questions
Mars Red Paint Peeling
In Pinon et al. v. Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC, owners alleged that vehicles painted in the “590 Mars Red” color were prone to peeling and delamination. The court-approved settlement provides reimbursement for past repairs and coverage for future refinishing on a sliding scale tied to vehicle age and mileage. Mercedes-Benz denied all allegations.10Autobody News. Mercedes Red Paint Settlement Final
The settlement covers dozens of models painted in Mars Red from production years 2004 through 2018, including the C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL-Class, G-Class, GT-Class, GLK-Class, and CLS-Class, among others.10Autobody News. Mercedes Red Paint Settlement Final
Active Cases Without a Settlement Yet
Shattering Panoramic Sunroofs
Bolling v. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Case No. 1:23-cv-00671, N.D. Ga.) alleges that panoramic sunroofs on a wide range of Mercedes vehicles are prone to spontaneous shattering during ordinary driving or while parked. The complaint says Mercedes uses thinner tempered glass and applies ceramic paint in a way that weakens the glass, has known about the problem for over a decade, has refused to issue a recall, and routinely denies warranty claims by blaming road debris.11ClassAction.org. Class Action Says Mercedes Panoramic Sunroofs Prone to Unexpected Shattering
The case covers 2011-and-later vehicles across more than a dozen model lines, including the C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLA-Class, GLC-Class, GLE-Class, and GLS-Class equipped with a panoramic sunroof.12Autobody News. Mercedes-Benz Shattering Sunroof Lawsuit Can Move Forward In August 2024, the court denied most of Mercedes-Benz’s motion to dismiss, letting the case proceed into discovery.13GovInfo. Bolling v. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC A hearing on class certification was scheduled for May 2025, and both sides agreed to postpone the trial date.14Glassbytes. Mercedes-Benz Fights Sunroof Lawsuit
Brake Booster Corrosion in ML, GL, and R-Class
Cacho et al. v. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Case No. 1:24-cv-02894, N.D. Ga.) targets a brake booster housing defect in 2004–2015 ML-Class, GL-Class, and R-Class vehicles. Plaintiffs allege the housing lets moisture accumulate and corrode, potentially causing reduced braking or complete brake failure, and that a recall issued in May 2022 was untimely and inadequate.15ClassAction.org. New Mercedes-Benz Lawsuit Says Recalled ML, GL, R-Class Vehicles Plagued by Dangerous Braking System Defect The case was filed in June 2024 and remained in early stages as of March 2025.16CourtListener. Cacho v. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
M274 Four-Cylinder Piston Failure
Jamil v. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Case No. 2:22-cv-08130), filed in California in November 2022, alleges that the widely used M274 four-cylinder engine has defective pistons prone to premature failure, often requiring a complete engine replacement. NHTSA opened an investigation into the M274 in 2022.17ClassAction.org. Mercedes-Benz Facing Class Action Over Alleged Piston Failure Defect Plaguing M274 Engine In July 2024, a federal judge in the Central District of California allowed the broader claims to proceed but found the specific warranty claims time-barred.18Bloomberg Law. Mercedes-Benz Trims Warranty Claims in Suit Over Engine Defect
M278 V8 Engine Defect
Lacey et al. v. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Case No. 8:24-cv-02770), filed in Maryland, targets the M278 V8 engine. The plaintiff alleges a manufacturing defect causes premature engine failure and that Mercedes-Benz fraudulently concealed the problem despite it being well known among technicians and dealers. The complaint brings claims of fraudulent concealment, breach of implied warranty, and violations of the Maryland Consumer Protection Act.19Top Class Actions. Mercedes-Benz Class Action Alleges Vehicles With M278 Engines Have Defect
How to Check Whether You Qualify
Start with your VIN, model year, and any repair receipts you kept. For the diesel incentive, go to www.MBAEMIncentive.com or call 888-865-4540 by September 30, 2026, and have the emissions modification installed by July 31, 2026. For the Hazdovac warranty parts settlement, file at the settlement website by May 15, 2026. For the HVAC mold coverage, contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz service center; no claim form is needed if your vehicle is within 10 years or 125,000 miles and meets the filter and maintenance conditions. For the Mars Red paint settlement, contact class counsel or the settlement administrator listed in the court-approved notice.
For active cases without a settlement, no claims process exists yet. If your vehicle is in one of the covered groups, keep repair records and monitor the docket, because class certification and any eventual settlement will define who is eligible and what proof is required.