Key Points
- 01Two Mercedes‑AMG drivers filed a proposed class action in California federal court
- 02Suit targets a raised metallic AMG logo on front seats as a burn hazard
- 03Plaintiff alleges first‑ and second‑degree “AMG inscribed” burns on May 31
- 04Plaintiffs seek damages and removal of the logo from affected vehicles
Class action filed over Mercedes‑AMG seat logo
Two drivers of Mercedes‑AMG vehicles have filed a proposed class action in the U.S. District Court of California’s Western division, alleging that a design element on AMG seats poses a burn hazard. The lawsuit claims that a raised metallic AMG logo on the front seats can heat up and cause thermal contact burns when it touches occupants’ skin.
The complaint asserts that the logo’s placement and design make it reasonably likely to come into contact with an occupant’s upper back, neck or shoulder during normal use. Plaintiffs argue that this presents an unreasonable risk of injury to people entering, sitting in or re‑entering the vehicles under certain conditions.
Alleged injuries detailed by plaintiffs
One plaintiff, Gabriel Lahijani, is identified in the suit as having leased a new 2026 Mercedes‑AMG E‑Class from an authorized dealership in Los Angeles. The filing states that on May 31 he entered the vehicle while wearing a tank top and later reported sustaining burns on his back.
A board‑certified dermatologist cited in the complaint is described as documenting first‑ and second‑degree burns that the suit characterizes as “AMG inscribed,” indicating a pattern consistent with the logo’s shape. The filing presents these medical findings as evidence of a thermal contact burn allegedly linked to the seat emblem.
The second plaintiff, Karendeep “Karina” Bath, is described as a resident of Chatsworth, California. The suit states that she experienced a similar injury roughly six weeks after the May 31 incident involving Lahijani, after parking and then re‑entering her Mercedes‑AMG.
According to the complaint, Bath noticed a mark that darkened and became visible, allegedly in the shape of the AMG logo. The suit describes this mark as consistent with a thermal contact burn, reinforcing the claim that the raised emblem can cause branding‑like injuries.
Relief sought and broader implications
The plaintiffs seek compensation for medical expenses associated with their reported burns. They also request damages for pain and suffering and emotional distress, reflecting the physical and psychological impact they attribute to the alleged defect.
Beyond individual compensation, the proposed class action asks that Mercedes be required to pay to have the raised AMG logo removed from the front seats of other owners’ vehicles. This requested remedy indicates that the plaintiffs view the issue as potentially affecting a wider group of Mercedes‑AMG drivers.
By framing the case as a class action, the lawsuit aims to represent other owners who may have similar vehicles with the same seat logo design. The filing highlights questions around how branding elements are integrated into vehicle interiors and what safety considerations apply when such elements may contact occupants’ skin.
The case now places attention on the intersection of automotive design, occupant safety and brand presentation within high‑performance vehicles. The outcome could influence how manufacturers evaluate decorative or branding components that may be exposed to heat or direct body contact.
Key Takeaways
- 01The lawsuit centers on a specific design feature, the raised AMG seat logo, alleged to cause thermal contact burns during normal vehicle use.
- 02Detailed descriptions of logo‑shaped burns and dermatologist documentation are central to the plaintiffs’ effort to show a link between injuries and the seat emblem.
- 03By seeking both individual damages and removal of the logo from other cars, the suit attempts to scale the claims from personal injuries to a broader potential owner group.