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Mercedes-Benz class action lawsuit overview:
- Who: Plaintiff Natalie Bolling has filed a class action lawsuit against Mercedes-Benz.
- Why: Mercedes-Benz allegedly manufactures vehicles with panoramic sunroofs that spontaneously shatter.
- Where: The Mercedes-Benz class action lawsuit was filed in Georgia federal court.
Mercedes-Benz panoramic sunroofs are prone to spontaneously shattering under normal driving conditions, creating a dangerous situation for drivers, according to a class action lawsuit filed Feb. 14 in Georgia federal court.
Plaintiff Natalie Bolling says she purchased a Mercedes-Benz vehicle with a defective panoramic sunroof that spontaneously shattered. When she purchased the vehicle, she says she believed it would be safe, reliable and free of defects.
“The shattering events are typically sudden and loud, startling drivers who compare it to the sound of a gunshot or bomb, after which glass fragments rain down upon the occupants of the vehicle,” the class action lawsuit alleges.
This experience puts the vehicle occupants in a hazardous situation and increases the risk of a crash, Bolling says.
Panoramic sunroofs consist of a movable panel that opens like a window on the roof of the vehicle. Because they are significantly larger than typical sunroofs, they pose significant engineering challenges. Mercedes-Benz allegedly failed to meet the challenges posed by panoramic sunroof design and sold vehicles with shatter-prone panoramic sunroofs, Bolling says.
Mercedes-Benz class action says automaker knew of sunroof defect but failed to warn consumers
The automaker has allegedly known about the sunroof defect since at least 2011 but fails to warn consumers about the potential shattering risk associated with panoramic Mercedes-Benz sunroofs.
Bolling points to several reports on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website, dating back as far as 2006, that describe incidents of Mercedes-Benz sunroofs spontaneously shattering.
Bolling notes other automobile manufacturers have also experienced issues related to shattering panoramic sunroofs. However, many of these companies have issued safety recalls or taken corrective action to address the issue, according to the Mercedes-Benz class action lawsuit.
The Mercedes-Benz class action lawsuit names the following vehicles as being equipped with potentially defective panoramic sunroofs:
- 2011-present C-Class
- 2014-present CLA-Class
- 2011-present E-Class
- 2011-present GL-Class/GLS-Class
- 2011-present GLK-Class/GLC-Class
- 2012-present M-Class/GLE-Class
- 2-15-2017 Mercedes Maybach S-600
- 2011-2012 R-Class
- 2011-present S-Class
- 2011-2019 SL-Class
- 2013-2020 SLK-Class/SLC-Class
The Mercedes-Benz class action lawsuit asserts claims for breach of express warranty, breach of the implied warranty of merchantability, fraudulent concealment, unjust enrichment and violation of Alabama’s Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
Mercedes-Benz was hit with a class action lawsuit in November alleging it sold vehicles with defective M274 engines with pistons that prematurely fail, requiring a full engine replacement for which consumers were allegedly forced to pay out of pocket.
Have you experienced an issue with the allegedly defective panoramic Mercedes-Benz sunroofs? Tell us your story in the comments.
Bolling is represented by Brent Irby of Irby Law LLC.
The Mercedes-Benz sunroofs class action lawsuit is Natalie Bolling, et al. v. Mercedes-Benz USA LLC, et al., Case No. 1:23-cv-00671-TWT, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.
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17 thoughts onMercedes-Benz class action claims panoramic sunroofs spontaneously shatter
I had the same with my 2021 A200, should the A class falls under the same?
I bought a brand new 2023 Mercedes CLA 250 and my sunroof exploded while driving just a few days ago and Mercedes dealership refused to cover the cost of fixing it and even said they have not received any complaints of sunroofs exploding or know anything about it. I find that hard to believe. They also said it’s my job to notify Mercedes headquarters. Wow! This process is so disappointing and it was a scary experience to go through.
I have a 2016 GLC 300 and this happened to me 2 days ago. Driving posted speeds, no cars around me, did not see any flying debris and the sun roof exploded. Very scary and very lucky this did not cause a accident.
For some reasons, I’m happy now that I’m not ”alone”. With the panoramic sunroof derail. And the front part is about to fly. I can definitely hear the wind blow and it started to swallow up from left side about 2 cm higher than the right side. But again, my 2016 c300 is not in the recall campaign yet. I’m gonna wait and see what Mercedes gonna do when mine is flying off
I am going through same traumatic experience as I am typing this comment, on June 11th 2023, while I was cruising on freeway, my 2022 GLE350’s sunroof exploded spontaneously with a loud shotgun like noise, I was shocked for tens of seconds, and later started to realize the sunroof shutter by itself. I pulled the car over to the side of freeway, called road assistance, and have the car towed to MB Escondido dealership based out in Southern California on the same day.
On June 12, 2023, I had a few conversations with service representatives from MB Escondido dealership, and was told the warranty would not cover the repair, even though they can’t prove this happened due to external forces after their technician assessing my call. The service representative also mentioned that they could not find any precedence of a case like this from their database, nor they know there is an ongoing recall that relates to this event, instead service representative recommended me to call my insurance and file insurance claim.
Because of this, I had to call MBUSA to report the same issue, so far, MBUSA have established a case, they said they will discuss with the dealership directly, they will also report this case to MBUS management team, and stated on the phone their management team will call back in two business day, with expecting a follow up call from MB Escondido dealership in 72 business hours.
At this moment, I am anxiously waiting their call back, looking at all the reported cases online, I am extremely worried that how my case would be handled differently, if MB insist this is not a defect which they should take full responsibility,
Now I get it. Around jan this year I went to Malibu then on my way back it started raining so I pressed switch to close the sunroof. But suddenly the loud noise occur and the window just move to the back normally. So the rain pouring in my car and I was affected by the explosion sound and rain so I drove over curbs. Have to wait there for 9 hrs. Because triple a said it isn’t safe to be there. Anyway I manage to get it close but the bottom part wouldn’t close completely so I have to feel the rain all night. Anyway I managed to get it back to my place and sent it to Mercedes dealer in Anaheim. I had no idea about the recall. End up I had to paid +$2700 for labor and part that was recalled??? And they listed in the reason that my motor for the sunroof was overheated??? Now I get it. But if that dealer used his brain a bit, if the sunroof are there normally and the motor is broken and overheated like they said, how did I end had it open? I even took a picture of the plastic rail that broken. How could I have that picture if the roof didn’t got pull back by the motor. Funniest thing is when the mechanic check on my car and taping himself mention about the rail and motor. But he clearly said it move back and forth but motor isn’t working anymore???
I bought a used 2015 mercedes’ GL450 . i’m the proud owner of a shattered sunroof that exploded like a bomb hit it causing raining glass . I have contact mercedes’ five times without any help or information as to the recalls on different models for the exact same sunroof exploding situation . today they said the dealership would report finally to corporation and see if I qualified for payment assistance from their
” good will ” program . several dealerships and glass companies refused to fix this problem since lawsuits were pending! No one informed me when purchasing that there was defective sunroofs exploding for no reason on this car! in fact when I called the dealer I purchased from they acted surprised and said didn’t know about it . If I put through my insurance co , it will cost 500,00 deductible and then like all claims , I’ll get hit with a policy cost increase! As seniors both out of pocket and increase pricing is unacceptable for damages caused by no fault of my own and is solely the responsibility of Mercedes! How do we get it fixed and how do we join the lawsuits filed in Illinois against them ? can anyone give me the name and number of attorneys handling ?