Mercedes Sprinter Van Leak Class Action Lawsuit Removed to Federal Court

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Mercedes Benz USA LLC. has filed a notice of removal to California federal court for a proposed class action lawsuit alleging the company sold Sprinter vans with defective air conditioning, resulting in leaking water and damaged interiors.

Lead plaintiff Digby Adler Group LLC, d/b/a Bandago LLC, alleges in the Mercedes Sprinter class action lawsuit that it owns at least 97 of the vehicles. The Mercedes class action lawsuit alleges that the rear roof-mounted air conditioning units in Sprinter vans suffer from a design defect that cannot be repaired.

The leaks allegedly damage the ceiling, floorboards, seat cushions and upholstery, causing mold to form inside the vans and damaging cargo and anything else being transported in them.

According to the Mercedes class action lawsuit, had Mercedes disclosed that the leaks were a result of a defect in the design of the rear roof-mounted air conditioning units, the plaintiff would not have continued to purchase Sprinter vans for use in its rental fleet. The Mercedes Benz lawsuit alleges that despite knowing about the propensity for Sprinter vans’ air conditioning units to leak water, Mercedes has not honored the warranty.

The cost of the rear roof air conditioning package on the Sprinters is $3,350. Since plaintiff claims to own 97 of the Sprinters, a minimum amount-in-controversy of $3,350 per vehicle also would be significantly in excess of the $75,000 requirement to qualify for a class action lawsuit based upon plaintiff’s individual claims.

Bandago claimed in its Mercedes Sprinter class action lawsuit, filed in April, that a California state court had jurisdiction over it because the defendant regularly conducts business in California, and the harm resulting from its alleged wrongful conduct happened in California.

Mercedes Benz USA, however, argued that it is a Delaware company and that it maintains its home office and the principal place of business in New Jersey, thus the case has diversity of citizenship and can be removed to federal court.

The defendant also argued that with the complaint placing the cost of the rear roof-mounted air conditioning package at $3,350 in every vehicle at issue, then the amount alone would exceed the $75,000 requirement.

Bandago is asking for an order to certify the proposed class and appointment to represent the class. The plaintiff is also seeking for an award of damages and restitution, among other claims.

The Mercedes Benz Sprinter Class Action Lawusit is Digby Adler Group LLC et al. v. Mercedes-Benz USA LLC et al., Case No. :14-cv-02349, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

UPDATE: On Feb. 1, 2016, Mercedes agreed to provide an extended seven-year warranty that would cover AC units in Sprinter mini-vans in order to settle this class action lawsuit.

UPDATE 2: The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van air conditioner class action settlement is now open! Click here to file a Claim Form.