Mercedes-Benz is facing a major battery replacement campaign affecting more than 51,000 EQA and EQB electric SUVs worldwide. The recall targets certain EQA 250+ and EQB 250+ models built between 2021 and 2024, with potentially dangerous battery defects creating a risk of internal short circuits and vehicle fires. Replacement work is not expected to begin before the fourth quarter of 2026 and could continue through 2028.
Mercedes-Benz has been forced to take more decisive action over a high-voltage battery defect affecting thousands of its electric vehicles, following a court ruling in Germany that exposed the legal consequences of an unsuccessful attempt to resolve the problem through a software update.
Although the EQA and EQB have already been discontinued in some markets, the battery issue remains a significant concern for owners of affected vehicles. The case also highlights a wider challenge facing the electric vehicle industry: resolving serious battery safety defects can be expensive, technically complicated and painfully slow.
Mercedes-Benz Battery Recall Affects More Than 51,000 Vehicles
The battery replacement campaign, identified by recall reference SR/01226/25, covers certain Mercedes-Benz EQA 250+ and EQB 250+ electric SUVs equipped with a 70.5 kWh high-voltage battery.
According to information provided by the German law firm Dr. Stoll & Sauer, which is handling the legal case, the affected vehicles were manufactured between February 20, 2021, and January 23, 2024.
The campaign reportedly covers more than 51,000 vehicles worldwide. However, owners should verify their vehicle identification number (VIN) with Mercedes-Benz to establish whether their particular car is included.
The principal concern is the possibility of an internal short circuit within the high-voltage battery. Under certain circumstances, such a defect could lead to a thermal event and, in the worst-case scenario, a vehicle fire.
For an automaker that has invested heavily in electrification and premium engineering, a defect involving one of the most expensive and safety-critical components represents a substantial technical and reputational challenge.
A Software Update Failed to Solve the Battery Problem
Mercedes-Benz initially attempted to address the battery defect through a software update. The approach was intended to mitigate the risk without requiring the immediate replacement of the entire battery pack.
However, the software-based solution proved insufficient, according to the information surrounding the recall. Approximately a year later, the manufacturer acknowledged that replacing the complete battery unit was necessary to resolve the problem.
The development significantly increases the complexity of the campaign. Replacing a high-voltage battery requires specialised equipment, trained technicians, appropriate workshop facilities and a reliable supply of replacement components.
Unlike a conventional software recall, which can sometimes be completed remotely or during a relatively short workshop visit, a battery replacement involves substantial logistical and technical work.
The case also demonstrates the limitations of software-based remedies when the underlying problem involves a physical component whose failure could compromise vehicle safety.
German Court Ruling Put Pressure on Mercedes-Benz
The replacement campaign has another important dimension: its legal background.
Mercedes-Benz was compelled to act after losing an initial lawsuit brought by a customer whose EQA suffered a battery defect. The court initially ordered the manufacturer to refund the vehicle’s full purchase price, which exceeded €51,000.
Although Mercedes-Benz could have appealed the decision, the company’s legal team reportedly assessed the prospects of a successful appeal as limited.
Consequently, the battery replacement initiative should not be viewed simply as a voluntary customer-care measure. The legal proceedings played a central role in pushing the manufacturer toward a more comprehensive solution.
The case illustrates how consumer litigation can influence the handling of automotive defects, particularly when an initial technical remedy fails to eliminate a potential safety risk.
For owners, the distinction matters. A manufacturer announcing a corrective campaign and a manufacturer being pressured into action by legal proceedings may present two very different pictures of how a defect is being addressed.
Battery Replacements Could Continue Until 2028
Even with a more definitive technical solution identified, affected owners may face a lengthy wait.
According to Dr. Stoll & Sauer, replacement work is not expected to begin before the fourth quarter of 2026. The campaign could continue until 2028, with delays attributed to a shortage of spare parts and uncertainty surrounding the manufacturer of the replacement batteries.
This creates a difficult situation for owners of affected EQA and EQB models. A recall may provide a path toward a permanent repair, but it does not necessarily mean that the repair will be available immediately.
The precise implications for individual vehicles will depend on Mercedes-Benz’s instructions, the applicable recall measures and any restrictions imposed on their use.
Owners should therefore contact an authorised Mercedes-Benz dealer, confirm whether their vehicle is affected and obtain written guidance on whether the car can continue to be driven safely while awaiting a replacement battery.
If Mercedes-Benz or the relevant authorities issue restrictions on vehicle use or charging, those instructions should be followed. Drivers should not assume that a software update or the absence of visible symptoms means the underlying risk has disappeared.
Why Electric Car Battery Recalls Are So Complicated
High-voltage batteries are among the most expensive components in a modern electric vehicle. They also contain numerous interconnected cells, monitoring systems, cooling components and electronic controls that must operate within carefully defined safety limits.
When a battery defect is identified, manufacturers must determine whether the problem can be addressed through software, a component-level repair or a complete battery replacement.
The appropriate solution depends on the nature of the defect. Software can adjust certain operating parameters and reduce specific risks, but it cannot physically eliminate every manufacturing fault or damaged component inside a battery pack.
A full replacement introduces another set of challenges. Automakers must secure compatible battery packs, coordinate suppliers, distribute parts across international markets and ensure that repair facilities can complete the work safely.
In a large recall, the availability of replacement batteries can become a bottleneck. Even when the technical solution has been established, production capacity and supply-chain constraints can delay repairs for months or longer.
The Mercedes-Benz case underlines an important distinction: identifying a battery safety problem is only the first step. Delivering a permanent remedy to every affected vehicle can be considerably more difficult.
Mercedes EQA and EQB Are Not the Only Electric Cars Facing Battery Issues
The problems affecting the EQA and EQB also form part of a broader industry challenge.
According to the law firm involved in the case, battery-related recalls affect vehicles from multiple manufacturers and are not limited to fully electric cars. Battery defects can also affect plug-in hybrids and other vehicles equipped with high-voltage battery systems.
This does not mean that all electric vehicles are unsafe or that battery failures are inevitable. Rather, it demonstrates that battery quality, manufacturing consistency, thermal management and effective defect detection are essential to the long-term reliability of electrified vehicles.
For manufacturers, the challenge is to identify potential problems early, communicate clearly with customers and provide effective corrective measures without unnecessary delays.
For consumers, the case is a reminder that purchasing a premium electric vehicle does not eliminate the possibility of costly technical defects or prolonged recall procedures.
What Should Mercedes EQA and EQB Owners Do?
Owners of a Mercedes-Benz EQA 250+ or EQB 250+ manufactured within the affected production period should take several practical steps.
- Check the VIN: Contact an authorised Mercedes-Benz dealer to confirm whether the vehicle is included in recall SR/01226/25.
- Request written instructions: Ask the dealer whether the vehicle can be driven and charged normally or whether specific restrictions apply.
- Follow official safety guidance: Do not disregard instructions relating to charging, parking or vehicle use.
- Ask about the replacement timeline: Request the latest information about parts availability, repair scheduling and any interim measures.
- Keep all documentation: Retain recall notices, workshop reports, correspondence and records of any costs or restrictions associated with the defect.
The reported timeline extends into 2028, but individual repair dates may vary. Owners should rely on official guidance applicable to their vehicle rather than assuming that every affected car will receive a replacement battery at the same time.
The Real Cost of a Battery Defect Goes Beyond the Repair Bill
The Mercedes-Benz battery recall illustrates a fundamental weakness in the ownership experience when a serious automotive defect cannot be resolved quickly.
A high-voltage battery is expensive to manufacture and replace, but the financial implications do not end with the cost of the component. Owners may also face uncertainty over vehicle availability, charging restrictions, inconvenience and potential resale concerns.
When a permanent repair takes months or years to become available, the burden extends beyond the manufacturer and its suppliers. Customers are left waiting for a solution to a problem they did not create.
For Mercedes-Benz, the priority is now to ensure that replacement batteries become available, affected vehicles receive a permanent remedy and customers receive clear, timely information.
For the wider electric vehicle industry, the lesson is equally important: long-term success depends not only on range, charging speed and performance, but also on battery safety, dependable aftersales support and the ability to resolve defects promptly.
Source: Mercedes-Benz
