Mercedes-Benz Recalls Electric EQB Models Over Fire Risk Due to Battery Defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC is initiating a voluntary safety recall affecting certain Model Year 2022 and 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQB electric vehicles. This recall, identified by NHTSA Recall Number 25V894, addresses a potential risk of fire stemming from the high-voltage battery. The issue, which can occur under specific production and usage conditions, involves an internal short circuit within a battery cell, potentially leading to a fire.

The defect has been traced back to variations in the early production stages of the high-voltage battery by supplier Farasis Energy (Ganzhou) Co. Ltd. These variations, when combined with external factors such as electrical ripple currents from charging infrastructure or mechanical damage to the battery, can result in the high-voltage battery being insufficiently robust, particularly at a high state of charge. While a warning malfunction message in the instrument cluster may alert drivers to a thermal incident during operation, no such warning would be provided if the incident occurs while the vehicle is parked.

The recall encompasses specific variants of the Mercedes-Benz EQB, including the EQB 350 4MATIC, EQB 300 4MATIC, and EQB 250. Production dates for the affected vehicles range from December 13, 2021, to January 23, 2024. A total of 169 vehicles are potentially involved in this recall. The recall population was determined through software update records associated with a previous recall, 25V050. Mercedes-Benz AG has confirmed that there have been no warranty claims, field reports, or service reports related to this specific defect within the United States.

The company first became aware of fire incidents occurring outside the U.S. in 2023 and into 2024. Investigations into these incidents led to a broader inquiry in mid-2024 to identify any common root causes. These investigations, conducted in coordination with Chinese authorities and the battery supplier, suggested that factors arising from certain production issues of the high-voltage battery, combined with local market conditions, could lead to thermal events. While initial analyses did not pinpoint a specific cause, a possibility remained that the combination of factors could occur in other environments. As a result, on January 24, 2025, Mercedes-Benz AG decided to conduct a worldwide safety recall to enhance the software within the battery management system.

Further investigations in the summer of 2025, following additional thermal events reported outside the U.S. after the initial recall began in April 2025, revealed that influences from the supplier’s production process affecting battery cell robustness extended to cells produced after the initially identified “clean point.” This led to a decision on September 26, 2025, to extend the vehicle population for the worldwide recall. Additionally, in November 2025, it was identified that a small number of vehicles might not have received the correct software update during the previous recall 25V050, despite the update appearing as completed. An investigation confirmed this was due to a brief documentation discrepancy, which has since been corrected. By December 12, 2025, it was determined that some of these vehicles requiring the updated software are located in the U.S.

The remedy for this safety concern involves an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer updating the battery management system software on the affected vehicles. Until the remedy is performed, customers are instructed to charge their vehicle’s battery to a maximum of 80% state of charge. The corrected battery management software is identified by part number A2439027408. The issue is no longer expected to occur in vehicles produced after July 31, 2024, due to optimizations in the supplier’s production process.

Dealers will be notified of this voluntary recall campaign on December 23, 2025, and owners will be notified before January 16, 2026. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) will be searchable for recall status beginning December 23, 2025. Mercedes-Benz USA plans to provide notice about pre-notice reimbursement to owners, as the involved vehicles may not have previously been subject to reimbursement programs.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

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