Two drivers of Mercedes AMG vehicles have filed a class action lawsuit against the luxury car manufacturer, alleging that the AMG logo on the driver’s seat poses a burn hazard. The legal action claims that the metal logo becomes excessively hot during vehicle operation.
The lawsuit was filed on Saturday, August 8, according to the report. The plaintiffs are seeking class action status, which would allow other owners of similar vehicles to join the litigation if they have experienced comparable issues.
According to the filing, the drivers allege that the seat logo reached temperatures high enough to cause physical burns to their skin. One portion of the complaint states that the logo effectively brands the occupants due to the heat generated while the car is in use.
An ordinary driver would notice this issue through direct contact with the driver's seat, potentially feeling sudden high temperatures through clothing or on exposed skin while operating the vehicle. If the court finds the manufacturer liable, owners might see a recall notice or be offered free repairs to replace or shield the metal logos. This would involve scheduling service appointments at dealerships, potentially impacting the daily availability of their transportation.
The case sets a precedent for how interior trim components and decorative logos are regulated for thermal safety in the automotive industry. It could prompt the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to investigate whether similar decorative elements in other car brands pose similar risks. At this stage, Mercedes has not publicly responded to the allegations. The next steps in the legal process include the court deciding whether to certify the class action status and setting future hearing dates to review the evidence of the alleged burn hazards.