By Ashley Robinson Two California drivers have filed a proposed class action lawsuit against Mercedes-Benz USA, claiming that a raised metallic AMG logo built into certain vehicle seats can become dangerously hot in direct sunlight and burn occupants’ skin.
The lawsuit was filed on August 5, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The case is listed as Lahijani et al. v. Mercedes-Benz USA LLC, Case No. 2:26-cv-08680.
The plaintiffs allege that the metal AMG emblem is positioned in the upper portion of the driver’s seat, where it can touch a person’s upper back, shoulder or neck during ordinary use. They claim the emblem can absorb heat while the vehicle is parked in the sun and become hot enough to cause serious contact burns.
Mercedes-Benz has not publicly admitted that the seat design is defective. The allegations in the complaint have not been proven in court.
What happened to the two drivers
The named plaintiffs are Gabriel Lahijani and Karendeep “Karina” Bath, both California residents.
According to the complaint, Lahijani leased a new 2026 Mercedes-AMG E-Class from an authorized Los Angeles dealership. On May 31, he allegedly entered the vehicle while wearing a tank top. His exposed upper back briefly touched the raised AMG badge on the driver’s seat, causing immediate severe pain and a burn.
The complaint says Lahijani later sought medical treatment and was diagnosed with a second-degree burn. A board-certified dermatologist allegedly documented first- and second-degree burns and described the injury as “AMG inscribed.” The filing says the injury appeared to reflect the shape of the AMG lettering.
Bath allegedly experienced a similar incident several weeks later. After parking her Mercedes-AMG vehicle in Los Angeles, she returned to the car wearing a sleeveless top. The complaint says her shoulder touched the metal emblem and she immediately felt a burning sensation. A mark later appeared and darkened on her skin in a pattern the plaintiffs say was consistent with a thermal contact burn.
The alleged design problem
The lawsuit argues that Mercedes placed a heat-conducting metal emblem in a location where it is reasonably expected to contact an occupant’s skin. The plaintiffs claim the company should have known that the badge could become extremely hot when the vehicle was left in the sun.
They further allege that Mercedes failed to warn drivers about the risk and did not provide an adequate design change, protective covering or other solution. The complaint describes the issue as a dangerous and undisclosed design defect rather than a problem caused by improper use of the vehicle.
The proposed class action does not yet establish how many Mercedes-AMG vehicles may contain the same seat emblem. The plaintiffs say the case could include other owners whose vehicles have the same or a substantially similar metallic badge design.
Claims raised against Mercedes-Benz
The complaint raises several legal theories under California law. They include allegations of defective design, failure to warn, negligence and breach of implied warranty under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act.
The plaintiffs argue that the vehicles were sold without adequate disclosure of the alleged burn risk. They are seeking compensation for medical expenses, physical pain, emotional distress and other damages that may be proven during the case.
They also want Mercedes-Benz to pay for the removal or modification of the metal AMG badges in other affected vehicles. That request could require the company to replace the emblem, cover it with a safer material or modify the seat so the badge cannot directly contact an occupant’s skin.
Has Mercedes issued a recall?
There is no announced recall or approved settlement connected to the seat-logo lawsuit at this stage. The case is still in its early phase, and a judge has not yet certified a nationwide class or decided whether Mercedes is legally responsible.
A lawsuit filing is an allegation, not a final ruling. Mercedes may challenge the claims, dispute whether the emblem caused the reported injuries and argue that the proposed class is too broad. The court will first consider procedural issues before the case can move toward discovery, class certification or trial.
What affected owners should know
Owners of Mercedes-AMG vehicles with metal seat logos should inspect the emblem carefully and avoid placing bare skin against it after the vehicle has been parked in direct sunlight. A seat, dashboard or interior metal component can become very hot even when the outside temperature does not seem extreme.
Anyone who believes they suffered an injury should seek medical attention and keep photographs, medical records, purchase or lease documents, and information about the date, location and circumstances of the incident. Owners should also avoid altering the seat before documenting the condition, unless a safety repair is necessary.
At present, there is no payment claim form or confirmed compensation program for AMG owners. People who believe they may be affected should monitor the federal docket or speak with a qualified product-liability attorney rather than relying on social-media posts or unofficial claim websites.
The Mercedes-AMG seat logo lawsuit raises an unusual but important product-safety question: whether a decorative metal emblem can become a dangerous design feature when it is placed against an occupant’s skin and exposed to intense sunlight. The court’s handling of the case will determine whether the allegations lead to compensation, a repair program or changes to future AMG seat designs.