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Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is recalling more than 7000 model year 2022-2024 EQB 250, EQB 300 4MATIC, and EQB 350 4MATIC electric vehicles. The high voltage battery may fail internally and lead to a vehicle fire while parked or driving.*
In the mandatory safety defect recall filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this morning, MBUSA said, “Due to the combination of certain production and vehicle use conditions, an internal short circuit of a battery cell in the high-voltage battery might occur, which could lead to the risk of a fire.” The defective software supplier is Farasis Energy-Ganzhou in China.
Owners are advised to only charge their vehicles to a maximum of 80% battery capacity until the repair has been completed. Dealers will update the battery management system software, free of charge, as required by U.S. safety regulations. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed 1 April 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at nhtsa.gov about NHTSA 25V0500 or 25V-0500.
Chronology
- Beginning in 2023 and into 2024, MBAG received reports of fire incidents occurring outside the US. MBAG investigated and evaluated each incident when it was reported to identify the particular cause or causes of the fire. In mid-2024, MBAG also began an investigation to determine any common root cause underlying the incidents.
- From June 2024 onwards, MBAG conducted various analysis in coordination with the Chinese authority, as the incidents were reported from the Chinese market. In parallel, MBAG initiated a taskforce and conducted several investigations. Beyond that, MBAG initiated analysis together with the battery supplier to identify potential deviations in the battery production process. As a result of those analysis, MBAG’s understanding was that, while no specific root cause was found, factors arising from certain EB330 production issues, combined with external conditions in the local market, could lead to the thermal events.
- In October and November 2024, further local inspections took place in coordination with the Chinese authority.
- In January 2025, MBAG reviewed its investigations and considered whether the incidents were likely limited to the local conditions that seemed to only occur in China or could potentially occur elsewhere. While the analysis did not identify any specific combination of factors in another market, MBAG could not rule out the possibility that the combination of factors allowing for the thermal events of the EB330 may not occur in other environments.
- On January 24, 2025, MBAG decided to conduct a global safety recall campaign to enhance the battery management system software for the high-voltage batteries.
- MBAG can confirm there are no warranty claims, field or service reports, and other information related to this defect in the U.S.
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About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
MBUSA Recalling EQB models for Battery Fires
Click for more.
Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is recalling more than 7000 model year 2022-2024 EQB 250, EQB 300 4MATIC, and EQB 350 4MATIC electric vehicles. The high voltage battery may fail internally and lead to a vehicle fire while parked or driving.*
In the mandatory safety defect recall filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this morning, MBUSA said, “Due to the combination of certain production and vehicle use conditions, an internal short circuit of a battery cell in the high-voltage battery might occur, which could lead to the risk of a fire.” The defective software supplier is Farasis Energy-Ganzhou in China.
Owners are advised to only charge their vehicles to a maximum of 80% battery capacity until the repair has been completed. Dealers will update the battery management system software, free of charge, as required by U.S. safety regulations. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed 1 April 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at nhtsa.gov about NHTSA 25V0500 or 25V-0500.
Chronology
AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.