Mercedes agreed to pay 149.7 million dollars to settle claims it sold more than 211,000 diesel cars and vans with software that cheated emissions tests. Owners of 2008 to 2016 BlueTEC models can receive 2,000 dollars after getting an approved emissions repair at a dealer. Claims must be filed by September 30, 2026.
- 50 state attorneys general settled with Mercedes for 149.7 million dollars over defeat device software in 2008 to 2016 BlueTEC diesels.
- The software made emission controls work during lab tests and scale back in normal driving, pushing NOx far past legal limits.
- Eligible owners get 2,000 dollars after an approved emissions modification, plus an extended warranty on the repaired parts.
- File your claim by September 30, 2026. The settlement covers US owners. Canadian owners should check for separate domestic proceedings.
Volkswagen was the famous one. Mercedes ran the same playbook and just paid for it. If you own or owned a BlueTEC diesel, keep reading, because there is money on the table and a deadline attached to it.
What Mercedes did
From 2008 to 2016, Mercedes sold more than 211,000 diesel cars and vans in the US equipped with software defeat devices. Here is what that means in plain terms. The software could tell when the vehicle was being emissions tested. During the test, the emission controls worked at full strength. In normal driving, the controls were dialed back. The result was nitrogen oxide emissions far above the legal limit, while the car looked clean on paper.
Mercedes also marketed these vehicles as environmentally friendly and compliant with emissions rules. Regulators in all 50 states called that deceptive, and they were right.
If you want the full picture of how this kind of cheating works and why it matters for your truck, read our guide on what a DPF delete is and why it is illegal. The technology is different but the story rhymes.
The settlement
On December 22, 2025, a bipartisan coalition of 50 attorneys general announced a 149,673,750 dollar settlement with Mercedes Benz USA and Mercedes Benz Group AG. The investigation was led by the attorneys general of Connecticut and Delaware.
The deal has three parts:
- Penalties to the states. The headline 149.7 million dollars, divided among the states.
- Owner restitution. 2,000 dollars to each eligible owner or lessee who gets the approved emissions modification installed.
- Repairs and warranty. Mercedes must repair the affected vehicles still on the road so they meet emissions standards, and the modified components carry an extended warranty. Total potential value across everything is estimated at up to 347 million dollars.
Are you eligible
You likely qualify if you own or lease a 2008 to 2016 Mercedes BlueTEC diesel passenger car or van and you complete the approved emissions modification. About 15 models are covered. Mercedes is sending direct notices to eligible owners, but do not wait for a letter if you think you qualify. Check your VIN at BlueTecUpdate.mbusa.com or call 1 833 841 9362.
How to claim
- Get the modification done. Book the approved emissions repair at a Mercedes dealer. This is the required first step.
- File your claim. Submit with proof the modification was completed.
- Watch the deadline. Claims must be filed by September 30, 2026. That date is firm.
How the cheat worked
The idea was simple and cynical. The car knew it was being tested. Test cycles follow fixed speed patterns on a dynamometer, no steering input, specific temperatures. The software watched for those conditions and ran the emission controls at full strength. Out on the road, where nobody was measuring, the controls were relaxed to favor fuel economy and performance. Nitrogen oxides went far past the legal limit. Drivers got good mileage and had no idea their car was polluting far more than allowed.
This is the same trick Volkswagen used, and regulators now test for it specifically. Modern compliance testing includes real driving emissions measurement, precisely because lab only testing proved so easy to game.
What happens to your car after the fix
The approved modification updates the emission control strategy so the car complies in real driving, not just in the lab. In practice, owners who have been through similar fixes on other brands report small changes. Fuel economy may dip slightly. Diesel exhaust fluid consumption may rise a bit. Regeneration cycles may run more often. None of it dramatic, but go in expecting the car to feel slightly different, not identical.
This is also why the extended warranty matters. The modified components are covered, so if the new calibration causes a part to fail early, that is on Mercedes, not you.
What this means for diesel owners generally
Every one of these settlements makes the same point louder. Emissions tampering, whether by a manufacturer or a truck owner, ends with somebody paying. Manufacturers pay hundreds of millions. Owners who delete their own trucks pay fines and lose resale value. The cheapest path has always been the same. Keep the emissions system working, maintain it properly, and fix problems early instead of looking for shortcuts.
Frequently asked questions
Which vehicles qualify for the Mercedes diesel settlement?
2008 to 2016 model year Mercedes BlueTEC diesel passenger cars and vans, about 15 models and more than 211,000 vehicles in total. Mercedes is notifying eligible owners directly. You can also check at BlueTecUpdate.mbusa.com or call 1 833 841 9362.
Do I have to get my car repaired to receive the 2,000 dollars?
Yes. The payment comes after Mercedes installs the approved emissions modification on your vehicle. The repair brings the car into compliance, and the extended warranty covers the modified emission components afterward.
I am in Canada. Does this settlement cover me?
No. This settlement covers US owners. If you own an affected BlueTEC in Canada, contact your provincial consumer protection office and ask about Canadian proceedings for Mercedes diesel emissions. Do not assume the US claim process applies to you.