A significant recall has been issued for Mercedes-Benz EQB electric crossover vehicles due to a potential defect in their high-voltage batteries. The issue involves the possibility of these batteries experiencing internal failures, which could lead to fires. This risk exists regardless of whether the vehicle is parked or in motion, posing a serious safety concern for owners. The recall affects a total of 7,362 vehicles, encompassing the 2022-2024 EQB 250, EQB 300, and EQB 350 models. While the recall officially covers this specific number of vehicles, Mercedes-Benz believes the defect may be present in all EQB vehicles produced, prompting a heightened sense of urgency for all owners to take necessary precautions.
The nature of the battery defect, as explained by government documentation, points to a potential internal short circuit within a battery cell of the high-voltage battery. This short circuit is believed to be caused by a confluence of factors, including variations in the early stages of production and localized external influences. These external factors may include fluctuations in electric current within charging infrastructure or potential mechanical damage to the high-voltage battery itself. These combined influences can render the battery insufficiently robust, particularly when it is at a high state of charge, increasing the risk of malfunction.
Mercedes-Benz has been aware of this potential issue for some time, having received reports of fires throughout 2023 and 2024. Each reported incident was thoroughly investigated by the company. Initially, the focus of the investigation was on vehicles sold in China. However, Mercedes-Benz was unable to definitively rule out the possibility of the same problem occurring in vehicles sold in other markets. This uncertainty led the company to make the proactive decision to initiate a recall, ensuring the safety of all potentially affected customers, even though a definitive root cause for the battery failures had not yet been identified.
Despite the reported fires and the subsequent recall, Mercedes-Benz has stated that there have been no reported incidents related to this specific battery issue in the United States. The company attributes the problem to the battery management software, suggesting that the software may not be adequately managing the battery's performance and safety parameters. This explanation allows for a relatively straightforward solution: dealers will address the issue by simply updating the battery management software.
Owners of affected EQB vehicles will receive notification of the recall by mail, with notifications expected to be sent out around April 1st. Until the software update is completed, Mercedes-Benz is advising owners to limit the charging of their EQB vehicles to 80% of their full capacity. This precautionary measure is intended to reduce the strain on the battery and minimize the risk of a failure. However, this charging restriction presents a significant inconvenience for EQB owners, especially considering the relatively limited EPA-estimated range of the EQB 300, which is only 330 km. Reducing the charge capacity further limits the vehicle's usable range, potentially impacting daily driving habits.
The high-voltage batteries in the affected EQB vehicles were manufactured by Farasis Energy, a Chinese company. It is important to note that this battery issue is distinct and unrelated to the Samsung SDI battery recall that impacted approximately 180,196 vehicles produced by Ford, Stellantis, and the Volkswagen Group. While both recalls involve potential battery fire risks, they stem from different underlying causes and involve different battery suppliers.