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Mercedes-Benz EQA and EQB Battery Recall: More Than 51,000 Electric SUVs Face Replacements Through 2028

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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

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Waymo Recalls 3,800 Robotaxis After Software Glitch Raises Highway Safety Concerns

Autonomous driving’s most visible success story hits another speed bump.

Waymo, the autonomous ride-hailing company owned by Alphabet, has issued a voluntary recall affecting approximately 3,800 robotaxis after identifying a software issue that could allow its vehicles to enter closed highway work zones at normal driving speeds. The recall, announced through a bulletin from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), adds to a growing list of challenges facing the industry’s most advanced self-driving operation.

According to federal regulators, the software defect could cause Waymo vehicles to incorrectly navigate through highway construction areas that have been closed to traffic. While there have been no reports of injuries or confirmed crashes linked to the issue, the potential consequences were serious enough for the company to proactively limit highway operations while engineers develop a fix.

“We identified an area where we can improve vehicle performance near highway work zones,” Waymo said in a statement. The company noted that it voluntarily restricted highway driving, informed regulators, and initiated a software recall while working on corrective updates.

Unlike traditional recalls that often require vehicles to visit service centers, Waymo’s latest action highlights the unique reality of software-defined transportation. The affected Jaguar I-Pace-based robotaxis aren’t being pulled from service. Instead, the recall serves primarily as a formal notification that the company intends to deploy updated software across its fleet.

The issue arrives at an awkward time for Waymo, which has spent years positioning itself as the autonomous driving industry’s benchmark for safety and reliability. Highway operation represents one of the most technically demanding environments for self-driving systems, requiring vehicles to process rapidly changing traffic conditions, construction zones, lane closures, and high-speed decision-making.

Waymo only recently expanded its highway operations. In Phoenix, the company’s robotaxis first gained approval to operate on freeways in 2024, initially carrying employees before eventually transporting paying passengers. Prior to that milestone, highway driving required the presence of a human safety driver behind the wheel.

The recall also marks the company’s second major software-related action in just over a month.

In May, Waymo recalled 3,791 vehicles after one of its autonomous Jaguars entered a flooded roadway in San Antonio. The unoccupied vehicle was swept away by flash-flood waters, though fortunately no injuries were reported. Earlier recalls have addressed even more concerning scenarios, including instances in which some Waymo vehicles failed to properly stop behind school buses displaying active stop signs and flashing warning lights.

Taken together, the incidents illustrate the difficult reality of autonomous vehicle development: even systems capable of handling millions of miles of routine driving can struggle with edge cases that human drivers encounter only occasionally.

Yet despite the recent recalls, Waymo’s broader safety record remains impressive. The company says its autonomous fleet has been involved in 92 percent fewer crashes resulting in serious injuries or worse compared with human drivers operating over similar distances. Waymo also reports a 92 percent reduction in crashes involving pedestrians.

Those figures help explain why regulators have generally allowed the company to continue expanding service despite periodic software corrections. In the world of autonomous driving, recalls increasingly resemble smartphone updates rather than traditional automotive defects—a reminder that the cars of the future may spend as much time receiving code revisions as they do getting mechanical maintenance.

For Waymo, the latest recall is unlikely to derail its expansion plans. But it does reinforce a reality that has followed autonomous vehicles since their inception: even the most sophisticated artificial intelligence still has lessons to learn when the road ahead suddenly changes.

Source: Waymo

News

BMW Recalls Over Half a Million Vehicles After Starter-Motor Fire Risk

BMW is once again dialing up the recall hotline—this time over a component most drivers never think about until it fails: the starter motor. The German automaker has announced a worldwide recall covering a mid–six-digit number of vehicles after discovering a defect in the starter (referred to internally as the “anlaser”) that could, in extreme cases, lead to a vehicle fire.

The issue affects 16 BMW models built between July 2020 and July 2022, all of which use starter motors supplied by a third-party manufacturer. According to BMW, excessive wear inside the starter’s electromagnetic solenoid can create electrical resistance that may result in a short circuit. That, in turn, can cause localized overheating—and in the worst-case scenario, a fire while the vehicle is in operation.

BMW says it identified the problem after receiving customer complaints and conducting inspections of affected vehicles. The company will contact owners directly and replace the faulty starters free of charge.

Until repairs are completed, BMW is urging owners to take a cautious approach. The company specifically recommends that vehicles not be left unattended after starting, especially if the engine has been restarted while still warm—a condition that places higher electrical demand on the starter system.

While any recall involving the word “fire” is bound to raise eyebrows, BMW downplayed the financial impact. A company spokesperson told AFP that the campaign will have little to no effect on earnings—welcome news after a difficult 2024, when BMW took a hit of hundreds of millions of euros from a massive 1.5-million-vehicle recall caused by faulty brake components supplied by Continental.

This latest recall serves as another reminder that even as modern cars grow ever more complex, some of the most serious problems can still come from the simplest hardware. A starter motor is about as basic as it gets—but when it fails electrically, the consequences can escalate quickly.

For BMW owners of 2020–2022 vehicles, the message is clear: watch for that recall notice, book the fix, and don’t leave your car running unattended until it’s done.

Source: BMW