Another Mercedes Lawsuit: This One Over AMG Aluminum Radiators
There are a sizable amount of Mercedes models involved in a class-action lawsuit over damaged aluminum radiators. All of these models start in 2016. Before that year these Mercedes employed a guard over the exposed arrears of the radiator. After that year the guards were eliminated by Mercedes. That is when damage would occur from rocks or other objects flung into the formerly protected openings.
The wire mesh or ABS plastic guards protected the earlier radiators. The radiator damage and/or coolant leaks were not an issue with the guards in place. The suit alleges that Mercedes knew it needed guards which is why the earlier-year models had them. With rocks striking the radiators coolant leaks cause lower coolant pressure. This lead to warped heads and ultimately catastrophic engine failures.
These are the models involved in the lawsuit:
2016-present AMG GT, 2016-present AMG C43, 2016-present AMG C63, 2016-present AMG CLS63, 2016-present AMG E43, 2016-present AMG E63, 2016-present AMG S63, 2016-present AMG S65, 2016-present AMG SL63, 2016-present AMG SL65, 2016-present AMG SLC43, 2016-present AMG SLC63, 2016-present AMG G63, 2016-present AMG G65, 2016-present AMG GLC43, 2016-present AMG GLC63, 2016-present AMG GLE43, 2016-present AMG GLE63, and 2016-present AMG GLS63.
One of the plaintiffs purchased a new 2016 Mercedes AMG C63S according to CarComplaints. Before the end of the first year, fluid began leaking and the low coolant warning light appeared on the dash. He took the Mercedes to the Mercedes dealership for repair. A technician performed a radiator pressure test and recorded, “Intercooler for low circuit turbo system has a tiny hole from some road material. Estimate provided. Customer declined repair, client was advised this could cause more damage even to the engine if not repaired.”
Replacing engines can cost $80,000 from overheating due to coolant leaks according to the lawsuit
It should be noted that replacing engines can run up to $80,000 from overheating them due to a coolant leak, according to the lawsuit. Replacing radiators or other related components can be expensive even without the need to replace the engine.
The plaintiff says that the dealership refused to cover the needed repairs under warranty. Remember the Mercedes was less than one year old and had only 9,000 miles on it. When the plaintiff took his car to a different Mercedes dealership it agreed to cover the labor costs to replace the low-temperature turbo radiator. It did, however, charge him $1,050 for the repair. Now cover was installed to protect the radiator so the problem could happen again according to the lawsuit.
Mercedes announced Service Campaign SC 2019040010 for E-Class and GLC-Class cars to receive grilles to protect the radiators.
By May 2019 Mercedes announced a Service Campaign. SC 2019040010 was initiated for E-Class and GLC-Class cars to receive grilles to protect the radiators. “Daimler AG (“DAG”), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain Model Year (“MY”) 2018-2019 E-Class and GLC-Class (213, 253 platforms) vehicles, the installed stone chip guard does not correspond to current production specifications. As a result, this may allow stones to contact the radiator.”
The lawsuit alleges that Mercedes knew about the radiator problems based on both customer complaints and the “sheer number and cost of engine and radiator replacements.”
