Two Mercedes-AMG drivers have filed a lawsuit against the luxury carmaker, alleging that the metallic AMG logo on the front seats caused them burns. The claims are detailed in documents filed in a California court.
Incidents and Injuries
Gabriel Lahijani of Los Angeles leased a 2026 AMG E-Class from a Mercedes-Benz dealership. On May 31, he suffered second-degree burns on his back after entering his car while wearing a tank top. A dermatologist recorded the injury as "AMG inscribed" and noted first and second-degree burns.
About six weeks later, Karendeep "Karina" Bath of Chatsworth, California, parked her Mercedes-AMG in Los Angeles and later returned to the vehicle. Wearing a sleeveless top, her shoulder touched the logo, causing a burning sensation. In the following days, a mark in the shape of the AMG logo "darkened and became visible on her skin, consistent with a thermal contact burn," according to the lawsuit.
Legal Demands
The plaintiffs allege a design defect in certain AMG vehicles where the raised metallic logo is "reasonably expected to contact an occupant's upper back, neck, or shoulder." They seek compensation for medical expenses, pain, suffering, and emotional distress, and also request that Mercedes pay for other owners to have the logo removed.
Previous Settlement
This lawsuit follows a December settlement in which Mercedes-Benz USA and parent Daimler AG agreed to pay $149.6 million to resolve allegations of secretly installing devices in hundreds of thousands of vehicles to pass emission tests. Between 2008 and 2016, the company equipped over 211,000 diesel cars and vans with software that optimized emission controls during tests but reduced them during normal operations. The settlement, involving 50 attorney generals, included $200 million in potential consumer relief. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said: "This settlement sends a clear message to consumers: they deserve honesty, and deceptive marketing won’t be tolerated."
