Mercedes-Benz C300 cabin mold smell issue with dealership actions and ongoing lawsuit on Mercedes-Benz C300

Some Mercedes-Benz C300 owners report experiencing a persistent mold smell in the cabin, attributed to issues with the HVAC system. This problem has led to a class action lawsuit, Nicholas Biase et al. v. Mercedes-Benz, which claims that the HVAC systems in certain models manufactured between 2001 and 2018 are defectively designed, allowing mold and mildew odors to infiltrate the vehicle's interior. While some dealerships have attempted to remedy the situation by cleaning the HVAC system and replacing air filters, many owners find these solutions to be temporary, with mold reappearing over time. A settlement was reached covering approximately 2.5 million affected vehicles, concluding the litigation regarding these mold issues in the air conditioning and ventilation systems. Owners have described the odor as "pungent, mildew, sweaty, moldy, sweat sock smell," highlighting the seriousness of the problem and the need for effective long-term solutions.