Mercedes-Benz USA Recalls 2020-23 Hybrids

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is recalling 2023 EQE 350, S580e, 2022-2023 EQS 450, EQS 580, 2022 AMG EQS 53, and EQS 450+ hybrid electric vehicles. The high-voltage battery monitoring system software may not alert the driver of a battery malfunction. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 305, “Electric-powered vehicles: Electrolyte Spillage and Electrical Shock Protection.”

The recall was made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. In the required filing MBAG said it “is not aware of any warranty claims, field or service reports, or reports of property damage, death, or injury related to this defect.

Dealers will update the battery management system software, free of charge as required by US regulations. All the hybrid vehicles are still under warranty. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed 27 June 2023. 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 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or go to www.nhtsa.gov about NHTSA 23V309.

Chronology

• In May 2022, MBAG examined an abnormality identified during battery and software testing. Internal tests indicated a potential deviation from specifications. MBAG’s further investigation determined that in some vehicles, the Battery Management System (BMS) might experience a fault that could affect certain diagnostic functions.
• MBAG initiated a review of whether the identified potential fault might have regulatory compliance implications in any of the areas in which the potentially affected vehicles were sold.
• From December 2022 through March 2023, MBAG continued to investigate possible effects of the potential BMS diagnostic fault. This continued investigation identified a potential failure of a warning indicator to alert the driver of a BMS malfunction.
• On 21 April 2023, MBAG determined that non-compliance with FMVSS 305 (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard) cannot be ruled out and decided to conduct a recall.