Auto Recall Ahead: When a Mercedes Smokes Like a Dragster

Why are the wheels of my Mercedes Benz smoking?

Lemon law attorneys are in business to help consumers who have bought or leased new vehicles that turn out to have persistent unresolvable defects within the first year or two, depending on regulations of the state you live in.

Generally, the car may be considered a “lemon” if it’s been subject to an unreasonable number of repairs of a problem that substantially impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle. In Pennsylvania, the problems must be experienced with in the first year or 12,000 miles, but in New Jersey it’s within the first two years or 24,000 miles. But even if you experience problems beyond the statutory time limit or mileage limit of your state, you still may be able to take legal action under consumer protection laws.

In the event your car is found to be a “lemon” under your state’s lemon law, the remedies you may be entitled to include a full refund of your down payment, trade-in, monthly payments and taxes, or a brand-new car. If your state’s lemon law does not apply, you may still be able to get a cash settlement and keep your car pursuant to the federal lemon law.

A common occurrence when cars have defective parts or systems and numerous customer complaints of the same problem—particularly if injuries or deaths have resulted therefrom—is an auto recall. Auto recalls are issued either voluntarily by the auto manufacturer or at the request of government agencies like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”).

While anyone purchasing or leasing a brand-new car has high expectations for its performance and safety, buyers of expensive luxury cars may expect even more since they have paid more. So, it should come as no surprise that buyers of certain Mercedes Benz models would complain about problems with the braking systems of their luxury cars…especially when they unexpectedly start acting like drag race cars.

Specifically, Mercedes owners have reported believing their cars were on fire after seeing smoke near the wheels when braking and they have also reported feeling the vehicle dragging or slowing down.

After ruling out hardware components, Mercedes-Benz determined a software glitch in the adaptive cruise control was responsible for the problem. Specifically, “incorrect electronic stability program software” needs to be updated.

As a result, Mercedes-Benz is recalling almost 6,000 SLK and SLC model vehicles including the following:

  • 2015 Mercedes-Benz SLK 250
  • 2016 Mercedes-Benz SLK 350
  • 2016–2017 Mercedes-Benz SLC 300
  • 2017 Mercedes Benz SLC 43 AMG

The Mercedes Benz recall, like all auto recalls, requires owners to bring the vehicle into their local authorized dealership for service and repair of the defective system at no expense to the owner.

If you think you may be driving a lemon, or have a consumer fraud claim, or have questions concerning an auto recall, the Law Office of Timothy Abeel and Associates can help. Call us today at 888-611-5481 for a free consultation.

Experiencing Similar Issues?

If your car was manufactured between 2019 and 2024 we may be able to help. Contact us for more information.

Close