Mercedes-Benz EQ (EQS, EQE, EQB) known issues by generation

By CarWhere Research · Updated

The most significant documented EQ issue is the EQB's high-voltage battery fire risk, which was first handled with a software update and an 80% charge limit and later with battery replacement. EQS and EQE sedans and SUVs have had battery-management and drivetrain software recalls that address loss of drive power or missing battery warnings.

CarWhere lists 5 documented EQ issues, including 5 NHTSA safety recalls, each with affected years, engines, symptoms, pre-purchase checks and a source.

EQ generations at a glance

Mercedes-Benz EQ (EQS, EQE, EQB) chassis codes and the known issues listed for each
Chassis codeModel yearsIssues on this page
V2972022–present (V297 EQS sedan)Battery monitoring software may not warn of a battery fault · Electric drivetrain software error may cause loss of drive power
X2432022–present (X243 EQB)High-voltage battery may fail internally (fire risk) — software remedy · High-voltage battery replacement recall (fire risk, park outside)
V2952023–present (V295 EQE sedan)Battery management software may shut down the high-voltage battery
X2942023–present (X294 EQE SUV)No widespread issue documented here
X2962023–present (X296 EQS SUV)No widespread issue documented here

V297 EQ problems (2022–present)

Battery monitoring software may not warn of a battery fault (2022–2023)

Safety recall
Chassis:
V297 (EQS 450+, EQS 580, AMG EQS 53)
Years:
2022–2023
Engine:
Electric

About 3,800 2022–2023 EQS sedans, plus some 2023 EQE 350 and S 580e models, were recalled because the high-voltage battery monitoring software might not alert the driver to a battery malfunction, which fails the federal electric-vehicle safety standard (FMVSS 305). Dealers update the battery management software. It is a software-only fix, so confirm completion through the VIN. Without the warning, a driver may keep using a vehicle whose battery needs attention.

Symptoms

  • No warning when a battery fault exists

Check before buying

  • Confirm 23V-309 completion

NHTSA recall: 23V-309 (2023-05) · 3,828 vehicles

Sources: [1]

Electric drivetrain software error may cause loss of drive power (2022–2023)

Safety recall
Chassis:
V297 (EQS 450, EQS 580, AMG EQS)
Years:
2022–2023
Engine:
Electric

About 8,300 2022–2023 EQS sedans and 2023 AMG EQE models were recalled because a software error in the electric drivetrain could cause a loss of drive power while driving. Dealers update the drivetrain software. Early EQS sedans also received software recalls for rear lighting (22V-167), the rearview camera display (22V-493) and stability control (23V-360), so a full VIN check is worthwhile. Recall repairs are free at any Mercedes-Benz dealer regardless of the vehicle's age or ownership history, and the NHTSA recall lookup shows whether the campaign is still open on a specific VIN.

Symptoms

  • Sudden loss of propulsion
  • Drivetrain warning message

Check before buying

  • Check the VIN for 23V-405 and the other early-EQS software campaigns

NHTSA recall: 23V-405 (2023-06) · 8,281 vehicles

Sources: [2]

X243 EQ problems (2022–present)

High-voltage battery may fail internally (fire risk) — software remedy (2022–2025)

Safety recall
Chassis:
X243 (EQB 250, EQB 300 4MATIC, EQB 350 4MATIC)
Years:
2022–2025
Engine:
Electric

About 12,000 2022–2025 EQBs were recalled in early 2025 because the high-voltage battery could fail internally and cause a fire while parked or driving. Owners were told to charge to no more than 80% until the repair was done. The first remedy was a battery-management software update, released in phases through late 2025. A later 2026 campaign (26V-073) replaced this approach for many vehicles, so an EQB with only the software update may still need further work.

Symptoms

  • Battery warning messages
  • None before a failure in many cases

Check before buying

  • Check the VIN for 25V-050 and 26V-073
  • Ask whether the charge limit is still advised for the vehicle

NHTSA recall: 25V-050 (2025-02) · 12,236 vehicles

Sources: [4]

High-voltage battery replacement recall (fire risk, park outside) (2022–2024)

Safety recall
Chassis:
X243 (EQB 250+, EQB 300 4MATIC, EQB 350 4MATIC)
Years:
2022–2024
Engine:
Electric

In February 2026 Mercedes-Benz USA filed a new recall for about 11,900 2022–2024 EQBs that supersedes recalls 25V-050 and 25V-894. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures and to charge to no more than 80% until the repair is complete. The remedy is replacement of the high-voltage battery. Vehicles already repaired under the earlier campaigns still need this one, so a used EQB should have documented battery replacement or a clear dealer status.

Symptoms

  • None before a failure in many cases

Check before buying

  • Confirm 26V-073 status and whether the battery has been replaced
  • Follow the park-outside and 80% charge advisories until it is

NHTSA recall: 26V-073 (2026-02) · 11,895 vehicles

Sources: [5][4]

V295 EQ problems (2023–present)

Battery management software may shut down the high-voltage battery (2023–2025)

Safety recall
Chassis:
V295 / X294 / V297 / X296 (EQE and EQS sedans and SUVs)
Years:
2023–2025
Engine:
Electric

About 15,000 vehicles, including 2024 EQE and EQS sedans, 2023–2025 EQE SUVs and EQS SUVs, and AMG versions, were recalled because the battery management software could shut down the high-voltage battery and cause a sudden loss of drive power. Dealers update the battery management software. Because many EQ software fixes can arrive by dealer visit or update, confirm completion with the VIN rather than relying on the software version shown in the car.

Symptoms

  • Sudden loss of drive power
  • High-voltage battery warning

Check before buying

  • Confirm 24V-372 completion via NHTSA lookup

NHTSA recall: 24V-372 (2024-05) · 14,912 vehicles

Sources: [3]

Related EQ research

This page explains specific mechanical issues and recalls. Which model years drew the most owner complaints is a different question, answered in the years-to-avoid research from NHTSA complaint and service-bulletin counts.

Confirm exactly how a EQ was built before you buy.

Engine, transmission and factory options decide which of these issues apply. The data card records how a Mercedes-Benz EQ (EQS, EQE, EQB) was built — option codes, paint, upholstery and equipment; CarWhere decodes it from the VIN, free availability check, $9.99 only if build data exists for that car.

Mercedes-Benz data card by VIN

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common Mercedes-Benz EQ (EQS, EQE, EQB) problems?

The best-documented Mercedes-Benz EQ (EQS, EQE, EQB) issues are high-voltage battery may fail internally (fire risk) — software remedy (X243, 2022–2025), high-voltage battery replacement recall (fire risk, park outside) (X243, 2022–2024), battery monitoring software may not warn of a battery fault (V297, 2022–2023) and electric drivetrain software error may cause loss of drive power (V297, 2022–2023). How much each matters depends on the chassis code and engine, so check the section for the exact car you are looking at.

Has the Mercedes-Benz EQ (EQS, EQE, EQB) had any safety recalls?

Yes. Recalls covered on this page include high-voltage battery may fail internally (fire risk) — software remedy (NHTSA 25V-050), high-voltage battery replacement recall (fire risk, park outside) (NHTSA 26V-073), battery monitoring software may not warn of a battery fault (NHTSA 23V-309) and electric drivetrain software error may cause loss of drive power (NHTSA 23V-405). Recall repairs are free at a Mercedes-Benz dealer; check any specific car’s VIN with NHTSA to see whether its recall work was completed.

What should I check before buying a used Mercedes-Benz EQ (EQS, EQE, EQB)?

Check the VIN for 25V-050 and 26V-073. Confirm 26V-073 status and whether the battery has been replaced. Confirm 23V-309 completion. Check the VIN for 23V-405 and the other early-EQS software campaigns. A pre-purchase inspection by a Mercedes-Benz specialist covers these and pulls the service history.

Is the Mercedes-Benz EQ (EQS, EQE, EQB) reliable?

The documented Mercedes-Benz EQ (EQS, EQE, EQB) issues are recall campaigns rather than recurring wear-out failures, and recall repairs are done free by Mercedes-Benz dealers. On a used car, the key step is confirming every open recall has been completed for that VIN.

Sources

Issue descriptions are CarWhere’s own summaries of the sources below. Chassis codes covered: V297 (2022–present (V297 EQS sedan)), X243 (2022–present (X243 EQB)), V295 (2023–present (V295 EQE sedan)), X294 (2023–present (X294 EQE SUV)), X296 (2023–present (X296 EQS SUV)). Repair costs are shown only where a source states them and vary by shop and region.

  1. NHTSA recall 23V-309: High-voltage battery monitoring software (3,828 units) — NHTSA
  2. NHTSA recall 23V-405: Electric drivetrain software loss of power (8,281 units) — NHTSA
  3. NHTSA recall 24V-372: Battery management software high-voltage shutdown (14,912 units) — NHTSA
  4. NHTSA recall 25V-050: EQB high-voltage battery fire risk (software) (12,236 units) — NHTSA
  5. NHTSA recall 26V-073: EQB high-voltage battery replacement (11,895 units) — NHTSA

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Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Mercedes-Benz Group AG or Mercedes-Benz USA. Mercedes-Benz, AMG, Maybach and the model names are trademarks of their owner.