2019 Mercedes E-Class Bluetooth Issues Leave Driver Feeling Lost

DEAR SUZANNE

By Suzanne Henderson
LETTER 17 – May 2022 | Lost in Lakewood

Software Update Didn’t Fix My 2019 Mercedes E-Class Issues

Dear Suzanne,

I have a 2019 Mercedes Benz E-Class on lease. When I first got it, the car had 7,000 miles; now it’s at 25,790 miles and my lease expires next June. I work in sales, so I’m often in the car, driving from appointment to appointment or taking meetings over the phone on my way. So when the Apple car play stopped working at 12,000 miles it was incredibly inconvenient.

BLUETOOTH & GPS NOT WORKING

I could no longer access the bluetooth through my phone, making it nearly impossible to take meetings in the car, and then, with the GPS also not working, I would have to pull over to look up directions to my next appointment constantly. I tried to work around this, hoping it was a software issue, but once the check engine light began coming on, I took it back to the dealership to be looked at. They couldn’t find any issues with the car and said nothing was wrong.

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ISSUES & GLITCHY INFOTAINMENT SCREEN

Not long after, the check engine light came on and would not turn off, so I took it into the Mercedes dealership again. They did a software update and said that would fix all the issues. Yet, I had to take it in two more times for the check engine light. Now, the infotainment screen periodically goes completely black, rendering it useless, and the car has begun shaking while I’m driving with a strange noise coming from beneath it.

The dealership says that they can’t identify the problems, though I feel like it’s pretty obvious that there’s something wrong with the vehicle.

CAN LEMON LAW HELP ME?

A friend of mine told me about California’s lemon law, but I’m not sure if my Mercedes would qualify, and if it did, how do I pay for that? I’m already locked into a lease and monthly payments, I don’t think I can afford to hire an attorney as well. Can you give me some guidance?

 
Lost in Lakewood

 
Watch Video: Mercedes-Benz Lemon Law Buyback Settlement: What You Must Know to Protect Your Rights

 

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Hire an Attorney On Contingency Basis (No Cash Out)

Dear Lost,

I know California’s lemon laws can seem pretty complex and intimidating at first, but the process is actually very straightforward. Here’s a summary of the steps on how to file a Lemon Law claim in California.

In order for a vehicle to qualify, it must have been purchased from an authorized dealer in California and meet at least the minimum number of required repair attempts while still under the manufacturer’s warranty. For a single problem, this number would be two (or more) repairs, for multiple issues, it would be three (or more) repairs. Since you’ve brought the Mercedes in for repairs at least four times under warranty, based on what you’ve told me, it would qualify for California’s lemon law, just be sure you have documentation to support each visit.

ZERO OUT-OF-POCKET LEGAL COSTS

Now, how much would hiring a knowledgeable lemon law attorney cost you? Absolutely nothing! In California, Mercedes Benz lemon law cases are taken on contingency. Because the manufacturer is guaranteeing that the vehicle you purchased from them is safe and operational, they are responsible for any attorney or court costs associated with your claim. This means that when a lemon law claim is successful, the manufacturer will pay your attorney fees on top of the settlement offer. And, if a case happens to not be successful, then the attorney will pay those costs out of pocket instead. So in the end, filing a lemon law claim costs you nothing. Since you are on a lease, you will still need to make your monthly payments during the negotiations, but these will be accounted for as part of the settlement.

The benefit of hiring a knowledgeable attorney is that they will be able to guide you through the process and ensure that you get the best settlement possible.

THREE TYPES OF LEMON LAW SETTLEMENT

For lemon law cases, there are three types of settlement outcomes: a vehicle buyback, a cash compensation to keep the vehicle, and a replacement vehicle that will be akin to your current one in terms of make, model, and mileage. Here at Lemon Lawyers, we always recommend the vehicle buyback, as it is the least likely to leave you stuck with an inoperable vehicle.

In a buyback, the manufacturer will repurchase the vehicle from you, reimbursing you for the down payment, monthly payments, taxes, and other associated costs. The only amount deducted from this settlement is something called a Mileage Offset. This accounts for the time you were able to drive the Mercedes without any issues, and is generally based upon the mileage at your first repair visit. Of course, a good attorney will do their best to have that waived in full or partially. Aside from that deduction, 100% of the settlement goes to you.

Lemon law claims are time sensitive, especially if you’re someone who drives their vehicle often, as mileage can affect your claim. So it’s best to reach out to a skilled lemon law attorney as soon as possible to begin the claims process.

Suzanne

Free Legal Advice About Your 2019 Mercedes Benz E-Class Lemon Law Claim

Dear reader, are your vehicle problems ruining your life? Confused about what legal route to take? We’re here to help! Find information about California’s lemon law protections here, fill out the form on this page, or give us a call at (323) 553-7525 to discuss your situation with someone who understands how frustrating it can be to have a lemon car, and what to do about it.

DEAR SUZANNE is a weekly column written by Suzanne Henderson and published in LemonLawyers.ORG. If you have a defective lemon vehicle and have questions about California Lemon Law or how to file a claim in California, please write to [email protected]. While not guaranteed, we will try to feature your letter in this column to provide you the answers you need, as well as enlighten other consumers who may have lemon problems similar to yours.

Disclaimer: Suzanne Henderson is not a lawyer and the points discussed here are intended for general information and reference purposes only and not to be construed as legal advice. Please consult a California lemon law attorney to get proper legal advice about your lemon law claim.

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• 7 Mistakes You Don’t Want To Make When Filing A Lemon Law Case
• Eight Things You Need To Know About California Lemon Law
• How To Avoid Buying A Lemon & What To Do If You Already Bought One

Featured Image: 2019 Mercedes Benz E-Class © Bindydad123 (CC BY-SA 4.0 License)