Mercedes-Benz recalls 15,000 electric cars due to critical battery defect

Mercedes-Benz has just issued a recall that reminds us that electric vehicle technology can still have hiccups, especially when it comes to the battery.

German automaker Mercedes-Benz has announced a voluntary recall with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for nearly 15,000 of its latest electric models. The problem is believed to lie in the battery management system software, which can be overloaded by diagnostic requests from other vehicle control units. This can potentially cause the high voltage battery contactors to open, which results in a sudden loss of propulsion without the driver being warned.

It goes without saying that stopping the powertrain completely while driving constitutes a serious safety risk and increases the chances of an accident. The good news is that the problem usually resolves itself when the vehicle is restarted, but it can recur without warning.

Also read – Mercedes-Benz recalls nearly 1.3 million cars after software bug

Which Mercedes-Benz vehicles are affected?

The recall affects a wide range of Mercedes electric models from model year 2023 onwards, including Mercedes-AMG EQE, Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV, Mercedes-AMG EQS, Mercedes-Benz EQE, EQE SUV, EQS, EQS SUV, and Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV.

To remedy this issue, Mercedes will ask affected owners to make an appointment with an authorized dealer, where the battery management software will be updated free of charge. This update should eliminate the risk of an unexpected battery shutdown while driving. Unlike Tesla, drivers will therefore have to make a stop at the garage to take advantage of the new version.

It is interesting to note that this is not Not the first time Mercedes has had to recall its electric vehicles for software-related issues. Last year, the automaker recalled the EQE, EQS and EQS SUV models to correct a defect in the software management logic that could disable the electric powertrain. A separate recall was also issued for another batch of EQS EV electric vehicles, which may have issues with the electronic stability control (ESP) monitoring software.

Additionally, Mercedes carried out a similar recall in China last year for imported EQS models produced between 2021 and 2022, due to a defect in the high-voltage battery management software.