OPEN HOURS MON–FRI | 9AM–6PM
Facebook-f Instagram X-twitter Linkedin-in Threads
Free Evaluation

Case result · ADAS / Driver Assistance

Driver-Assist Failures Across Nine Visits — Mercedes Bought Back This C300

Distance Assist kept shutting off, steering assist dropped out, and the car braked for cars that weren’t there.

Get a free case review Prefer to talk? Call now(818) 553-1000

$15,765recovered for the client
1.11xthe statutory refund
30countable days out of service
9repair visits

The math

What this client actually received

Every figure below comes from the settlement documents in this case. Nothing is rounded up, and nothing is left out.

What the client received

Statutory refundThe formula written into the Song-Beverly Act $14,250.94
Civil penaltiesAwarded where the manufacturer's failure was willful plus$1,514.61
Paid to the client $15,765.54
Loan / lease balance cleared$42,114.35Paid directly to the lender by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC, on top of the figure above
Attorney fees$0Paid by the manufacturer, not the client
Vehicle
2024 Mercedes-Benz C300
VIN
W1KAF4HB3RR••••••
Bought
New
Contract
Lease
Miles at delivery
10
Price
$51,601.00
Manufacturer
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Outcome
Buyback + civil penalties
  • $15,765.54 to the client
  • $42,114 lease paid off
  • 9 repair visits
  • 8 verified safety-system repairs

The case

Active Distance Assist kept failing — radar software, a new steering column module, camera recalibrations and phantom braking across nine visits

Our client leased a new 2024 Mercedes-Benz C300. At about 9,000 miles, an 'Active Distance Assist inoperative' warning appeared, and the steering-assist function stopped working.

The dealer updated software on both rear radar sensors, then replaced the steering column module after finding an electrical fault in the steering-wheel electronics. The warnings kept returning: traction control, Active Brake Assist, Distance Assist. The dealer updated and recalibrated the brake-control software and the multifunction camera. Our client also reported phantom braking, and the dealer found multiple camera fault codes. The last visit found power-steering module communication faults.

The repair record

30 countable days out of service

Nine visits and 30 days in the shop, with eight verified repairs to the driver-assistance, braking and steering systems.

  1. 015 days

    9,084 miles

    'Active Distance Assist inoperative' warning; steering assist function stops working

    What the dealer did

    Radar sensor interference code; software updated on both rear short-range radar units

    • Rear short-range radar software (B29/13, B29/14)
    Counts toward days out of serviceVerified
  2. 0212 days

    9,297 miles

    Active Distance Assist warning on again

    What the dealer did

    Steering wheel electronics malfunction (excessive current); steering column module replaced

    • Steering column module (SCM)
    Counts toward days out of serviceVerified
  3. 031 day

    9,783 miles

    Right front A-pillar panel coming loose

    What the dealer did

    A-pillar trim replaced

    • A-pillar trim
    Counts toward days out of serviceInapplicable
  4. 042 days

    14,156 miles

    Active Distance Assist inop, traction control inop and Active Brake Assist limited warnings; intermittent no-start

    What the dealer did

    Software updates to ESP, active brake control unit and multifunction camera; camera and active brake calibrated; no-start not duplicated. Recall 2025040013 (ME-SFI control unit) performed

    • Active brake software
    • Multifunction camera calibration
    • Starting system (not verified)
    Counts toward days out of serviceVerified (3 issues); no-start not verified
  5. 051 day

    14,230 miles

    Momentary warning message while driving

    What the dealer did

    No fault found

    • Warning message
    Counts toward days out of serviceNot verified
  6. 062 days

    14,741 miles

    Car shut off twice — once accelerating from a stop, once backing up — with all warning lights

    What the dealer did

    Could not duplicate

    • Starting / engine system
    Counts toward days out of serviceNot verified
  7. 072 days

    15,218 miles

    Active Brake Assist limited; Active Distance Assist inop

    What the dealer did

    No codes; could not duplicate

    • Active Brake Assist
    • Active Distance Assist
    Counts toward days out of serviceNot verified
  8. 082 days

    17,828 miles

    Active braking and distance assist warnings; car braking with no cars ahead; car stopping with all lights turning off

    What the dealer did

    Multiple multifunction camera fault codes; software updated; stall complaint not duplicated

    • Multifunction camera software
    • Engine system (not verified)
    Counts toward days out of serviceVerified (3 issues); stall not verified
  9. 093 days

    18,346 miles

    Active Brake Assist, Distance Assist and ESP warnings

    What the dealer did

    Power steering (N68) communication fault codes stored; wiring checked, could not duplicate

    • Power steering module (N68)
    Counts toward days out of serviceNot verified

The turning point

Why the manufacturer paid

The driver-assistance and braking systems are safety systems. When the same safety feature keeps failing after repeated repairs, the manufacturer has had its reasonable number of attempts.

The result

How it ended

Mercedes-Benz repurchased the C300 and paid off the $42,114.35 lease balance. Our client received $15,765.54: $14,250.94 in statutory damages plus $1,514.61 in civil penalties/additional recovery.

What this case shows

Recurring safety-system warnings aren't minor. Driver-assist and braking failures can support a lemon law claim.

Free case review

Think you have the same problem?

Does your car keep flashing driver-assist or brake-assist warnings? Tell us what's happening. The review is free.

Start my free review Call (818) 553-1000

  • Attorney fees paid by the manufacturer in every case shown
  • $0 out of pocket
  • No confidentiality clauses, these numbers are real

About these results

Every case is different. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome; results depend on the facts of each case.

Get a Free Case Review
(818) 553-1000
Skip to content