$149M Mercedes-Benz Diesel Emissions Settlement, Do You Qualify for a $2,000 Payment? Deadline to Cliam is September 30

The Mercedes-Benz Emission Control System Settlement is a $149,673,750 multistate resolution where owners and lessees of eligible 2009–2016 diesel BlueTEC vehicles can receive $2,000 plus an extended warranty by completing a free emissions repair and submitting a claim at MBAEMIncentive.com before September 30, 2026. A coalition of 50 attorneys general announced the settlement after finding that Mercedes equipped more than 211,000 diesel passenger cars and vans with software devices that optimized emission controls during tests but reduced them during normal driving.

Field	Detail
Settlement Amount	$149,673,750
Claim Deadline	September 30, 2026
Who Qualifies	Owners and lessees of 2009–2016 Mercedes-Benz diesel BlueTEC vehicles (OM642 and OM651 engines) not yet repaired as of August 1, 2023
Payout Per Person	$2,000 cash + extended warranty (estimated value $1,200)
Proof Required	Yes — Approved Emission Modification (AEM) must be completed first
Settlement Status	Active — multistate settlement announced December 22, 2025
Administrator	MBAEMIncentive.com
Official Website	MBAEMIncentive.com
Last Updated	May 2, 2026

Current Status

• Mercedes is required to immediately pay $120 million to the coalition states, with an additional $29,673,750 temporarily suspended and reduced by $750 for each affected vehicle Mercedes repairs, takes off the market, or buys back.
• The total benefit per eligible vehicle comes to approximately $3,200 — $2,000 in cash plus the $1,200 extended warranty.
• Eligible owners and lessees must complete the free Approved Emission Modification at an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer before submitting their claim at MBAEMIncentive.com.

What Is the Mercedes-Benz Lawsuit About? State of New York et al. v. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC and Mercedes-Benz Group AG

Beginning in 2008 and continuing through 2016, the states allege Mercedes manufactured, marketed, and distributed more than 211,000 diesel passenger cars and vans equipped with software defeat devices that optimized emission controls during emissions tests while reducing those controls during normal, real-world operation.

The defeat devices enabled vehicles to far exceed legal limits for nitrogen oxides (NOx) — a harmful pollutant that causes respiratory illness and contributes to the formation of smog. Mercedes pursued this because it could not meet fuel efficiency and performance goals while also complying with emissions standards. Meanwhile, the automaker marketed these same vehicles as “environmentally friendly” and in compliance with applicable regulations.

If you bought or leased one of these diesel vehicles between 2009 and 2016 believing you were driving a clean, compliant car, this settlement exists because of exactly that. You were misled — and now there is a process to make it right. This case is part of a broader wave of consumer rights lawyer-led enforcement actions following similar diesel emissions false advertising class action cases against Volkswagen and Bosch. If you’re curious how class actions like this work generally, see our Guide to Consumer Class Action Lawsuits.

Related article: Continental Cafe Holdings Data Breach Settlement, Do You Qualify for Up to $700? Deadline Is July 28

Do You Qualify for the Mercedes-Benz Diesel Emissions Settlement?

If you’re wondering “do I qualify for the Mercedes-Benz settlement,” here’s a straightforward answer. This settlement covers a specific group of diesel vehicle owners — not all Mercedes-Benz drivers.

You may qualify if:

• You currently own or lease a 2009–2016 Mercedes-Benz diesel BlueTEC vehicle with an OM642 or OM651 engine
• Your vehicle had not been repaired under a prior emissions program or permanently removed from the road as of August 1, 2023
• You are willing to have the Approved Emission Modification (AEM) installed at an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer — this must happen before you can submit a claim
• You submit your claim at MBAEMIncentive.com by September 30, 2026

You do NOT qualify if:

• Your vehicle already received an approved emissions repair under an earlier Mercedes settlement program
• Your vehicle was totaled, scrapped, or permanently removed from U.S. roads before August 1, 2023
• You own a 2017 or newer Mercedes-Benz diesel (a different program applies)
• You own a gasoline-powered Mercedes-Benz (this is a separate settlement — see the Mercedes-Benz Emissions Parts Warranty Settlement for gasoline vehicle owners in 17 states)

How Much Can You Get from the Mercedes-Benz Settlement?

Eligible owners and lessees whose vehicles receive the Approved Emissions Modification will receive $2,000 in cash plus an extended emissions warranty estimated to be worth $1,200 — putting the total per-vehicle benefit at approximately $3,200.

Once the Approved Emission Modification is performed, certain components will have an extended warranty for the greater of 4 years/48,000 miles from the installation date or 10 years/120,000 miles from the vehicle’s original sale date.

The $2,000 is direct legal settlement payout to you — not a dealership credit or coupon. The repair itself is free; Mercedes bears that cost. This is real compensation for damages to your vehicle’s value and the emissions deception you experienced as a consumer.

How to File Your Mercedes-Benz Emission Settlement Claim

Here is exactly how to file a legal claim for the $2,000 payment — step by step.

Step 1 — Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer and schedule your free Approved Emission Modification (AEM). Do not skip this — you cannot claim without it.

Step 2 — Have the AEM installed at the dealership. The dealer will replace specific emissions-related components and software. This is free to you.

Step 3 — Keep your dealer documentation confirming the repair was completed. You will need this when filing.

Step 4 — Visit MBAEMIncentive.com to submit your claim online. You can also email [email protected] or call 888-865-4540 for help.

Step 5 — Enter your vehicle and personal information and upload your repair confirmation.

Step 6 — Submit your claim and save your confirmation number.

Mercedes is required to mail notices directly to eligible owners and lessees explaining how to participate. If you have not received a letter yet, check that your address is current with your vehicle registration — and go directly to MBAEMIncentive.com to verify your eligibility now.

Estimated time to complete: 15 minutes (after the free repair is done).

Mercedes-Benz Emissions Settlement Key Dates

Milestone	Date
Settlement Announced	December 22, 2025
Immediate State Payment	December 22, 2025 — $120 million paid
Claim Portal Opens	MBAEMIncentive.com — open now
Claim Filing Deadline	September 30, 2026
Expected Payment Date	TBD — issued after claim review and verification

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a class action lawsuit against Mercedes-Benz for emissions? 

Yes. A coalition of 50 attorneys general reached a $149,673,750 settlement with Mercedes-Benz USA and Daimler AG for violating state laws prohibiting unfair or deceptive trade practices by marketing and selling vehicles equipped with illegal and undisclosed emissions defeat devices.

Do I need a lawyer to file a claim?

 No. You do not need a class action lawsuit attorney to participate. The process is handled entirely through MBAEMIncentive.com. Most eligible owners will receive a notice letter by mail with instructions.

Is this settlement legitimate?

Yes. The settlement was co-led by the attorneys general of Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, South Carolina, and Texas, joined by 41 additional states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The claim portal at MBAEMIncentive.com is the official administrator site.

When will I receive my payment? 

Your $2,000 check will be issued after you complete the free emissions repair and your claim at MBAEMIncentive.com is verified. The claim deadline is September 30, 2026. Payment timing after that depends on the review process.

What if I missed the claim deadline?

 If you do not submit your claim by September 30, 2026, you will lose your right to the $2,000 payment. The extended warranty benefit may still apply if your repair is completed, but the cash payment requires a timely claim.

Will this settlement payment affect my taxes?

 Possibly. Settlement payments related to vehicle repairs or emissions modifications may be treated as a reduction in repair costs rather than taxable income, but this depends on your situation. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice specific to your circumstances.

Is this the same as the old Mercedes BlueTEC settlement?

 No. The prior $700 million class action settlement was administered through mbbluetecsettlement.com, had a claim deadline of October 1, 2022, and is fully closed. This is a separate, new settlement announced in December 2025 with a September 30, 2026 deadline.

What if I also paid out of pocket for emissions repairs on a newer Mercedes?

 That may be covered under a completely separate settlement. The Hazdovac v. Mercedes-Benz USA case covers 2015 and newer gasoline-model Mercedes vehicles in 17 states for emissions warranty repair reimbursements, with a deadline of May 15, 2026. See our Mercedes-Benz Emissions Parts Warranty Settlement article for details.

Sources & References

• New York Attorney General — Official Settlement Announcement, December 22, 2025
• Washington State Attorney General — Settlement Announcement
• U.S. EPA — Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz USA Clean Air Act Settlement FAQs
• NBC News — Mercedes-Benz agrees to pay nearly $150 million to settle multistate emissions allegations

Prepared by the AllAboutLawyer.com Editorial Team and reviewed for factual accuracy against official state attorney general announcements and the settlement administrator website on May 2, 2026. Last Updated: May 2, 2026

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal claims and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. For advice regarding a particular situation, consult a qualified attorney.