Mercedes Rapid Battery Drain Class Action Alleges 2004-2022 Vehicle Models Affected by Electrical Defect

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A proposed class action lawsuit claims that certain Mercedes-Benz vehicles manufactured between 2004 and 2022 suffer from a defect that can cause rapid battery drainage. 

The 85-page case says the electrical system issue responsible for the rapid battery drainage problem can occur unexpectedly and leave a driver stranded with an inoperable vehicle. The filing alleges the electrical systems in 12-volt “standard” and 48-volt “mild hybrid” Mercedes vehicles are defective in that they are not properly designed to operate reliably and as intended under normal use. 

According to the complaint, Mercedes-Benz does not seem to have a permanent fix for the problem, and the automaker’s “band aids” to address the apparent electrical system defect have forced drivers to pay out-of-pocket for diagnostics, replacement batteries, towing services, software updates, rental cars and more. Per the case, Mercedes-Benz has known of the battery drainage problem since 2003, “and likely earlier,” yet failed to disclose it to drivers. 

Further, the lawsuit claims that some Mercedes service centers have told drivers that the electrical system problem is a “known issue,” while other drivers were told that there was nothing wrong with their vehicle. Despite the foregoing, the case relays, Mercedes continues to market and advertise the battery found in affected models as promising “advanced performance” and “efficiency,” and as “fine-tuned to complement” the sophisticated electronics of a vehicle. 

According to the lawsuit, one reason Mercedes should have known of the electrical system issue was the “higher-than-expected” number of replacement batteries ordered from the automaker, which should have alerted Mercedes that the problem “existed and affected a wide range of its vehicles.” The complaint contends that Mercedes’ knowledge of the electrical system defect is evident in the number of technical service bulletins it released concerning battery drains and failures. 

The vehicles at issue in the case include Mercedes-Benz S, C, A, CLA, CLS, G, GLA, GLK, GLC, ML, GLE, GL, GLS, and E vehicles manufactured between 2004 and 2022. 

The lawsuit looks to cover consumers who bought or leased any of the above-listed Mercedes vehicle models subject to any of the following technical service bulletins: LI54.15-P-070802, LI42.47-P-069817, LI54.10-P-066344, LI82.85-P066086, LI82-95-P-056655, LI27.00-P-072627, LI54.10-P-064762, LI54.10-P-066942, LI54.10-P-071596, or LI54.10-P-069698. 

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