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The owner alleged recurring gasoline/fuel-odor concerns in a 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350 serviced in Sylmar. After repeated service visits, the issue allegedly persisted, leading to a California Lemon Law dispute focused on use, value, and safety concerns associated with unresolved fuel-related symptoms.
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Repair History
The table below summarizes what the service records show (dates, mileage, complaint, diagnosis/repair, and outcomes). Some fields were unreadable; only clearly legible details are included.
| Date | Mileage | Dealership/Shop | Complaint | Diagnosis | Repair Performed | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-12-12 | 47,173 | Mercedes-Benz of Calabasas | Fuel/gas smell | Could not verify odor; no leak found | Inspection/check for leaks | No issue verified at visit |
| 2018-03-08 | 53,447 | Mercedes-Benz of Calabasas | Fuel smell in garage | Could not verify concern | Inspection/check | No issue verified at visit |
| 2018-08-02 | — | Mercedes-Benz of Calabasas | Fuel smell | No fuel leaks/odor verified during inspection | Inspection/check | No issue verified at visit |
| 2018-10-26 | 62,802 | Mercedes-Benz of Calabasas | Maintenance items | — | Brake pads/filters/maintenance items | Maintenance completed |
| 2018-11-06 | — | Mercedes-Benz of Calabasas | — | — | — | — |
Pattern Summary
- Repeat concern: multiple visits alleging fuel/gasoline odor.
- “Unable to verify” pattern: service notes repeatedly indicate the concern was not reproduced at the visit.
- Unresolved outcome: the dispute escalated into litigation and a Lemon Law repurchase.
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Settlement Outcome
Resolved through a California Lemon Law repurchase: without admitting liability or wrongdoing, the manufacturer repurchased the vehicle and paid the owner $48,110.31 to resolve the dispute under California law.
California Lemon Law & Auto Fraud Rights
California’s Lemon Law generally protects consumers when a vehicle has a warranty-covered defect that substantially affects use, value, or safety and the manufacturer cannot repair it after a reasonable number of opportunities.
- Reasonable repair opportunities: repeated repair attempts for the same condition can support a claim, even when a dealer writes “could not verify,” if the concern keeps returning.
- Documentation: repair orders matter—dates, mileage, and how the concern was documented can be critical.
- Statewide coverage: Lemon Law protections apply across California.
If you also believe the sale paperwork, financing terms, or repair billing practices were misleading, California consumer-protection and dealer-misconduct laws may apply alongside Lemon Law—facts determine that analysis.
California Lemon Law – Common Questions
Can a fuel smell or gasoline-odor concern qualify under California Lemon Law?
Potentially, yes—especially when the condition is recurring, impacts use/value/safety, and persists after reasonable repair opportunities under warranty.
How many repair attempts are “enough” in California?
There is no single magic number. Repeated attempts for the same defect (or substantial time out of service) can support a claim depending on the defect and the overall history.
What if the dealer writes “unable to verify” or says it can’t reproduce the concern?
That does not automatically end the analysis. If the owner consistently reports the same condition and the vehicle repeatedly returns for it, the pattern—and how it is documented—can still support Lemon Law relief.
Does my city (Sylmar) matter for Lemon Law rights?
No. California Lemon Law protections are statewide. Sylmar is relevant mainly as the location tied to service history and convenience—not eligibility.
Next Steps
If your vehicle keeps going back for the same unresolved problem—or your warranty visits are stacking up—deadlines can apply under California law. Start by gathering repair orders and warranty paperwork, then request a review focused on whether the documented pattern supports repurchase or other relief.