Mercedes Roof Problem Poses Safety Hazards
» Posted March 18, 2020 • Resources | Share This Post
Sunroofs may be considered a luxury feature for plenty of car drivers, but they can quickly become a serious safety hazard when manufactured or designed incorrectly.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling some 750,000 vehicles because of a sunroof defect that could cause glass panes to detach. That, in turn, puts everyone on the road with the defective vehicles at risk.
“Due to a production deviation at a supplier, glass panels might have been bonded without proper application of the primer (bonding agent),” the company said in a defect notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “If the bonding adhesion were to deteriorate, the durability requirements might not be met which could lead to a separation of the glass panel from the vehicle.”
“A displaced panel could increase the risk of a potential crash or injury for other road users.”
The recall covers a wide range of models manufactured from 1999 to 2010. That includes C-Class, CLK-Class, CLS-Class, and E-Class sedans, wagons, and coupes. Mercedes-Benz says it is not aware of any accidents caused by the defect.
The company began offering inspections and repairs in mid-February. Mercedes-Benz said. Owners of recalled cars can take them to local dealers, who will check the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof.
Legal Rights for California Car Owners
The Mercedes-Benz recall is not the first time the company has had to take another look at vehicles because of defects posing possible safety hazards.
The company recalled some 100,000 cars in 2018 because of a glitch in passenger airbag lights showing that airbags were engaged when they were actually not activated. Although Mercedes-Benz was found to have one of the lowest recall rates among auto manufacturers in a 2016 Auto World News report, the company still called back more than 600 vehicles for every 1,000 sold.
The California lemon law offers some important protections for car owners in the Golden State by requiring Mercedes-Benz and other manufacturers to perform certain repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. A manufacturer that is unwilling or unable to fix the problem is required to buy back the car and reimburse the owner for the purchase price and other expenses. The manufacturer can offer instead to replace the vehicle, but it is up to the owner to decide whether to accept this option.
Consult a California Lemon Law Attorney
If you are a car owner or lessor who is grappling with your car’s manufacturer over repairs, an experienced California lemon law attorney can help. A lawyer can help you weigh your rights and options to ensure that the carmaker is held fully accountable.
At the Bickel Law Firm, we have represented hundreds of clients in defective vehicle cases in Southern California and across the state. We work tirelessly to get the people we represent the compensation they deserve.
Our offices are conveniently located in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney today.
