Mercedes-Benz has initiated a recall for its EQB series. The recall targets 2022-2024 EQB models manufactured between December 2021 and January 23, 2025, due to potential internal failures in the high-voltage battery packs that could lead to fire hazards.
A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report indicates that the battery cells in these EQB models are at risk of short-circuiting. Simply put, this means the internal wiring of the battery could malfunction, significantly increasing the chance of a fire. This issue may stem from manufacturing inconsistencies during battery cell production, irregular power supply systems (Ripple), or mechanical damage from external impacts.
While no battery fire incidents have been reported in the United States thus far, Mercedes-Benz has proactively decided to recall the EQB models as a precautionary measure. The recall encompasses a total of 7,362 vehicles in the U.S., including the EQB 250 (2,626 units), EQB 300 4MATIC (3,311 units), and EQB 350 4MATIC (1,415 units).
A representative from Mercedes-Benz stated that they have not yet identified the exact cause or specific combination of factors leading to the battery fire risks, prompting a global safety recall. To mitigate these risks, the company plans to update the battery management system (BMS) software for the affected EQB models. Owners of the vehicles affected by the recall are required to bring their cars to authorized service centers for the update. Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz advises owners to limit battery charging to a maximum of 80% until the software update is completed.
Are Chinese-made batteries once again at the center of the problem?
The problematic battery packs are reportedly from Farasis Energy, a Chinese manufacturer. This isn’t the first time Farasis batteries have been linked to recalls. In March 2021, 31,963 electric vehicles from Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC) equipped with Farasis Energy batteries were recalled for similar reasons. Moreover, last August, an EQE 350 model involved in a parking lot fire in Incheon, South Korea, was found to use NCM (Nickel-Cobalt-Manganese) batteries from the same manufacturer.
Initially, Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles used batteries from suppliers like LG Energy Solution. However, in 2018, the automaker signed a 10-year, 170 GWh battery supply contract with Farasis Energy, a startup at the time. Since 2022, several models, including the EQE, EQA, and EQB, have been equipped with Farasis batteries. Despite persistent concerns about the quality of Farasis Energy’s batteries – with Germany’s Manager Magazin describing samples as “catastrophic” – the partnership continued. Industry insiders suggest that Mercedes-Benz’s decision to stick with Farasis may have been influenced by the automaker’s largest shareholder, Li Shufu, chairman of China’s Geely Automobile. They also point to the cost-effectiveness of Chinese batteries and the importance of the Chinese EV market as factors in this decision.
According to information published on Mercedes-Benz Korea’s official website, EQB models sold in Korea use batteries from SK On, a domestic manufacturer, suggesting they are not part of the recall. However, other models, such as the EQA, EQE, EQS, and G 580 electric vehicles, use CATL and Farasis Energy batteries, indicating that these models may still carry potential fire risks.
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