HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – If you own or lease a Mercedes, critical deadlines are coming up to collect benefits you may be entitled to.
It’s part of a nationwide emissions settlement with the company for allegedly installing so called “defeat devices” on certain 2009–2016 Mercedes-Benz diesel vehicles and Freightliner-badged Sprinter vans that under-stated its emissions during testing, allowing them to release pollutants beyond federal and state limits.
The settlement applies to certain 2009 through 2016 Mercedes-Benz diesel vehicles, as well as some Freightliner-badged Sprinter diesel vans equipped with BlueTEC diesel technology. Eligible models include vehicles such as the E-Class, GL-Class, GLE, GLK, ML, R-Class, S-Class, and certain Sprinter vans.
Melissa Enright, staff attorney with the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) Office of Consumer Protection, says the case affects about 913 vehicles sold or leased in the state.
“What the eligible consumers can expect to receive from the settlement is a free emissions repair that comes with an extended warranty for vehicle emissions and also a $2,000 incentive payment directly to the consumer,” she said.
DCCA is urging consumers to follow these steps:
First, confirm whether your vehicle is eligible on MBAEMincentive.com.Second, schedule your free emissions repair with an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer before August 31 to to have the repair installed to your vehicle.Third, once your repair has been completed, submit your claim before September 30 to receive the $2,000 incentive payment.
“Consumers should be contacting their dealerships to schedule these repairs,” Enright said. “It’s getting towards the end of the period where you can get these repairs done for free. The repair slots may be filling up, so it’s in your best interest to take action now, call, get it on the books, get the repair done and follow through.”
Waiting too long could make it harder to complete the repair before the deadline.
“Mercedes sent out through the mail notices to all known owners and lessees. These notices have specific ID and pins for consumers. They will need those, numbers to enter their claims in addition to supporting documentation. So they’ll need to save their repair invoices and provide proof of ownership of the vehicles,” Enright explained.
“Just like to emphasize that this is a legitimate settlement and eligible consumers can receive up to $2,000. It’s not a scam please if you receive the notice follow through,” she added.
If you have a covered vehicle but have not received the notice letter from Mercedes, you can verify eligibility, view the full list of covered vehicles, and file a claim by visiting mbaemincentive.com or calling 1-888-865-4540.
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