Hagens Berman: $700 Million Mercedes Diesel Emissions Class-Action Settlement Details Announced

Current owners and lessees can receive thousands of dollars under consumer class action

NEWARK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Attorneys at consumer-rights law firms Hagens Berman; Carella, Byrne, Cecchi, Olstein, Brody & Agnello, P.C.; and SeegerWeiss announced details of a $700 million settlement reached on behalf of owners and lessees of affected diesel Mercedes vehicles as part of a class-action lawsuit against Mercedes for its diesel emissions deficiencies.

The lawsuit was originally brought against Mercedes in 2016 in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey by the Hagens Berman, Carella and Seeger firms that helped to achieve the $14.7 billion Volkswagen Dieselgate settlement.

According to the lawsuit, Mercedes joined forces with Bosch to program its BlueTEC vehicles to release illegally high, dangerous levels of emissions via a defeat device that turned off or limited emissions reductions during real-world driving conditions but not during vehicle emissions tests.

Recently, the lawsuit culminated in a $700 million settlement for U.S. Mercedes owners in which current owners and lessees can get $3,290 or more, and former owners and lessees can get $822.50.

“Owners of Mercedes’ dirty diesel cars will finally be able to receive the compensation they deserve and repairs to ensure their vehicles are not emitting illegal levels of harmful pollutants,” said Steve Berman, managing partner of Hagens Berman and attorney representing vehicle owners in the class action. “We consider this an immense win for consumers, the environment and for class-action law, bringing forward real results through independent testing and research thoughtfully brought to the Court.”

The law firms representing Mercedes owners continue to pursue claims against Bosch, Mercedes’ alleged coconspirator, and the separate suit may result in additional recovery if a settlement or judgment is reached.

“We are incredibly pleased at the settlement for Mercedes owners that will carefully ensure that both current and former owners and lessees are offered compensation,” said Jim Cecchi at Carella, Byrne, Cecchi, Olstein, Brody & Agnello, P.C. “The complexity of this case deserved a well-structured settlement agreement, and we believe we have achieved exactly that for the thousands of affected owners who will receive payment.”

What Can Mercedes Owners Expect from the Settlement?

Owners of affected Mercedes diesel vehicles can receive the following:

• An Approved Emissions Modification (AEM) free of charge and an extended modification warranty. From a separate settlement with federal and California regulators, these benefits are available even if you do not participate in the class action.
• Protection pending the modification’s effects to your vehicle. AEMs installed in affected vehicles will come with additional protection, should the AEM affect your vehicle’s performance. Affected owners are slated to receive compensation depending on whether the AEM affected fuel economy, horsepower, torque and/or other aftereffects of the emissions modification. Owners may also be able to receive payment for transportation costs in the event their installation of an AEM takes more than three hours to complete.
• Payment for Mercedes’ diesel emissions deficiencies. Under the settlement, current owners and lessees can receive $3,290 if no former owner/lessee submits a claim for the same vehicle. If a former owner/lessee does submit a claim for the same vehicle, current owners and lessees can receive $2,467.50. Former owners and lessees can receive $822.50, divided equally among former owners/lessees who submit claims for the same vehicle.
• Additional payment. For current owners and lessees who have an AEM installed, additional payments may be available under various circumstances. Owners may also receive additional payment if an AEM is not available by October 2022.

More information can be found at the settlement website, www.mbbluetecsettlement.com.

What Do Mercedes Owners Need to do Now?

To obtain a payment under the settlement, eligible former owners/lessees must submit a complete claim by the later of 75 days after the notice date, or the date the Court finally approves the settlement. Current owners/lessees must have the AEM installed and submit a claim by October 1, 2022 in order to be eligible to receive money. AEMs will become available on a rolling basis after Mercedes’ separate settlement with U.S. authorities is approved; please continue to check the Settlement Website for updated information. You may also call 1-877-313-0170 toll-free to find out whether an AEM is available for your Subject Vehicle. For more details about the AEMs and Extended Modification Warranty, please visit bluetecupdate.mbusa.com.

In the coming weeks, there will be a Settlement Website (www.mbbluetecsettlement.com) with further information about the settlement, as well as updates about the deadline to submit your claim.

Affected Models

Affected BlueTEC vehicles include:
E250 BlueTEC 2014-2016	ML250 BlueTEC 2015	Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner Sprinter (4-cylinder) 2014-2016
E350 BlueTEC 2011-2013	ML320 BlueTEC 2009	Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner Sprinter (6-cylinder) 2010-2016
GL320 BlueTEC 2009	ML350 BlueTEC 2010-2014
GL350 BlueTEC 2010-2016	R320 BlueTEC 2009
GLE300d 2016	R350 BlueTEC 2010-2012
GLE350d 2016	S350 BlueTEC 2012-2013
GLK250 BlueTEC 2013-2015

Find out more about the class-action lawsuit against Mercedes.

About Hagens Berman

Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP is a consumer-rights class-action law firm with 10 offices across the country. The firm’s tenacious drive for plaintiffs’ rights has earned it numerous national accolades, awards and titles of “Most Feared Plaintiff’s Firm,” and MVPs and Trailblazers of class-action law. More about the law firm and its successes can be found at www.hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.