The impending global recall of the Mercedes-Benz EQB is having a wider impact than previously assumed. The recall database of the German Federal Motor Transport Authority shows that the sister model EQA is also affected.
Last week, we reported on the US recall of the Mercedes EQB for the 2021 to 2024 model years after several vehicle fires. Subsequent investigations by Mercedes, authorities, and suppliers revealed that the cause was probably a problem with the high-voltage battery – even if damage only actually occurred under certain (environmental) conditions.
While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has only commented on the just over 7,000 EQBs affected in the US, the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) has now provided more detailed information in its recall database. According to the KBA, not only the EQB is affected, but also the EQA with the identical battery. A total of 33,705 vehicles built between 2021 and 2024 are affected worldwide, 3,119 of them in Germany.
The problem description in the KBA database is similar, but much shorter than in the US documents: “Short circuit in the high-voltage battery can lead to fire.” The NHTSA had still specified “variations during an early stage production period at the supplier, combined with local external influencing factors (such as occurrence of electric current ripples in the charging infrastructure or potential mechanical damage to the high-voltage battery” – and named the Chinese manufacturer Farasis Energy as the supplier. “As a result of those analysis, MBAG’s [Mercedes-Benz AG] 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,” the NHTSA said. EB330 refers to the battery installed in the EQB.
However, the measures to fix the problem are the same: “The battery management system software will be updated. Until the remedy is available, customers are instructed to only charge the battery to a maximum of 80 per cent,” writes the KBA. Affected owners should contact the vehicle manufacturer or an authorised workshop.
A curious fact: the KBA recall database states that Mercedes-Benz AG is “aware of isolated cases of material damage.” The US documents still mentioned five vehicle fires in China. However, some electrive readers commented on the article about the US recall on our German website that there had been fires in Germany. Whether these are connected to the battery problem is currently unknown – but is likely to be an important question for insurance companies.
kba-online.de (in German), nhtsa.gov (USA)
