Lawsuit Investigation Looks into Mercedes-AMG Engine, Radiator Problems
Last Updated on March 26, 2021
Investigation Complete
Attorneys working with ClassAction.org have finished their investigation into this matter.
Check back for any potential updates and take a look at our open investigations here. The information on this page is for reference only.
Case Update
- March 26, 2021 – Investigation Closed, Lawsuit Continues
- Thank you to everyone who helped contribute to this investigation. At this point, attorneys working with ClassAction.org no longer need to hear from drivers who had problems with their AMG vehicles. This is because at least one proposed class action lawsuit has been filed and continues to make its way through the legal system. Any significant updates will be posted to this page.
Sign up for our newsletter for the latest or check out our list of open investigations here. The information below is for reference only. - February 4, 2021 – Lawsuit Filed
- A lawsuit has been filed alleging that 2016-present Mercedes-AMG vehicles are defective in that the front bumper covers and air inlets allow for rocks and other road debris to enter the vehicle and cause radiator damage, as well as coolant system leaks and engine failure. You can read more about the suit here.
At A Glance
- This Alert Affects:
- Anyone who owns a 2017–2021 Mercedes-AMG vehicle and had problems with the engine or radiator, specifically after encountering debris in the road.
- What’s Going On?
- Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are investigating whether the lack of a mesh grill over the vehicles’ front air inlets is causing radiator damage, overheating and (in some cases) total engine failure. If so, they may be able to file a class action lawsuit to help those affected.
- How Could a Class Action Help?
- A class action lawsuit, if filed and successful, could reimburse drivers for money spent on repairs and force Mercedes-Benz to find a fix for the problem.
Attorneys would like to speak to anyone who owns or leases a 2017–2021 Mercedes-AMG vehicle and has experienced issues with the engine or radiator, specifically after encountering debris in the road.
They’re investigating whether a defect in the design is causing the cars to develop radiator and/or engine damage and, if so, whether a class action lawsuit can be filed. To help with their investigation, the attorneys need to speak to drivers to learn more about the problem and determine whether a defect is to blame.
What Started this Investigation?
The investigation began when attorneys learned certain Mercedes-AMG vehicles were sold without mesh grilles over the front air inlets, which could be causing a handful of problems for drivers.
They suspect this design choice may be allowing road debris to hit the radiator just behind the inlets, causing the radiator to deform and the engine to overheat and potentially fail.
Online Complaints: What Are Consumers Saying?
The following is a sample of complaints posted online by Mercedes-AMG drivers who have had issues with their vehicles after encountering debris in the road [sic throughout, emphasis ours]:
A semi pull out in front of me on the highway on Sunday and covered my car in debris from its trailer. I got stuck behind him briefly till I could get out into another lane and away from all the crap he sprayed all over the road and my car. I washed the car later that day to find red coolant on the garage floor. Initially I thought the radiator had been punctured so I went and got the system pressure tested. On inspection we found that the small coolant reservoir on top of the engine in front of the turbos had emptied out. The radiator guy topped it up and pressure tested it to find a pin hole leak in the cooler that sits vertically in front of the radiator…I have heard from a mate that these coolers have been damaged on a number of cars from similar situations. All three of my coolers are now now heavily dented from this debris.”
— RDO247, mbworld.org
I have had my car at the dealer 5 times now, trying to diagnose a rich coolant smell that I am getting when I pull back in my garage, typically after a spirited drive…I finally called Renntech, as Hartmut, the owner came from AMG, and after speaking to him, he said that he spoke with a guy in Germany at AMG, who mentioned to check the lower intercoolers, since they may have a pinhole leak caused by rock chips from the road surface. The guy told him that they have had numerous issues with this in Germany, as there is no real protective screening to speak of in front of these units, and that the lower right hand intercooler was the more common, as it is the side closest to the accumulated debris, etc., at the side of the road.” —Polar63S, mbworld.org
I was on a back highway with a horribly patched part of asphalt on the other aide of the road. An 18 wheeler hit it and threw asphalt pieces all over the front of my car. I first noticed something mechanically was wrong a few hours later when I got close to my destination. My transmission oil temp started running high…Found a piece of asphalt basically melted to the radiator, almost like it hit and the molded/formed to the radiator, mostly patching the hole that it had made. I pretty much had a slow leak the entire way to my destination that finally went dry right before I got there. We didn't find the leak location until everything cooled off and the asphalt piece popped off when I tried to refill the resevoir. It was pretty noticeble too; a stream of water was shooting out thw front grille directly onto my foot.”
— msd3075, mbworld.org
This is my second 2017 C63 S Edition 1 Coupe, and I already paid $1,747.37 in 2018 (when I had the first car) to replace the coolers due to road debris. Now I'm in the same hole AGAIN, and they're asking $2200 for replacement of the trans cooler due to a pinhole leak from road debris.”
— FDNewbie, mbworld.org
How a Class Action Can Help
Through a class action lawsuit, consumers can seek compensation for the cost of repairs and damage to their vehicles. They may also be able to force Mercedes to offer a fix if a defect is found.
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