MERCEDES-BENZ Complaints

I’m having issues with my control module not going forward or backwards at times and there was a recall on models of this vehicle for that exact reason NHTSA ID: 17V078000 Issued: Feb 2, 17. Dealership is telling me it’s not open. I’m scared for my safety when my car doesn’t shift in the correct gear. This started in 2021 or 2022 and I’m not getting resolution. When getting my bumper repaired I noticed that this was on the recall list a few years ago. I’ll submit the papers I received form Park Place.

On [XXX] at approximately [XXX] PDT, a 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV 450+ caught fire at an intersection in Irvine, California. The vehicle was being driven normally. It was NOT charging. It was NOT in a collision. It was stopped at the intersection when the fire began. There was no warning. Four occupants were inside: the driver (age [XXX] ), two minor children (ages [XXX] and [XXX] ), and one elderly passenger (age [XXX] ). All four escaped, but narrowly — the rear child safety locks barely released in time for the children to exit. The vehicle sustained catastrophic cabin burn-through and is a total loss. Smoke and flames appeared to originate from beneath the vehicle, consistent with a thermal event in the under-floor high-voltage lithium-ion battery pack, pending expert investigation. This vehicle is within the population of NHTSA Recall 24V-372 (Mercedes-Benz battery management system software defect, 14,912 2023-2025 EQE/EQS units, including 551 units of the 2024 EQS SUV 450+). Mercedes documented in its Part 573 report that it received field reports of this defect in October 2023 and waited approximately seven months before filing the recall. Mercedes acknowledged fire risk in the EQS platform in NHTSA Recall 24V-115, stating "a risk of fire cannot be ruled out." In February 2026, Recall 26V-073 ordered full battery replacement in EQB vehicles after Mercedes admitted prior software remedies were failed remedies. On [XXX], a Mercedes EQE caught fire spontaneously in a parking garage in Incheon, South Korea while parked and not charging, damaging 140 vehicles. The fire in this vehicle occurred at zero mph with two young children and an elderly grandmother trapped behind child-locked rear doors. The fire department and police responded. The vehicle is preserved pending expert inspection. I request NHTSA ODI open a formal investigation into spontaneous battery fire risk in the Mercedes EQ platform. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I am submitting this complaint to report a serious high-pressure fuel system failure on my 2015 Mercedes-Benz SLK 250 equipped with the M274 2.0L turbocharged engine, which resulted in a sudden and dangerous loss of propulsion. While accelerating to pass another vehicle at roadway speed, the engine abruptly lost power, stalled, and the vehicle immediately entered limp mode, leaving me exposed to active traffic with no warning and unable to complete the maneuver safely. The incident triggered diagnostic fault code P000277, consistent with a fuel pressure or fuel control system malfunction. This failure created an immediate safety hazard, as loss of engine power during acceleration significantly increases the risk of rear-end or side-impact collisions. Of particular concern is that Mercedes-Benz has previously acknowledged fuel system safety defects in the same M274 engine family, as documented in NHTSA Safety Recall Campaign No. 18V-837, which addressed known vulnerabilities in the fuel delivery system that could lead to engine malfunction. Although my specific vehicle may not have been included in that recall, the symptoms and failure mode I experienced are consistent with those known fuel system issues. A sudden and complete loss of engine power during normal driving conditions represents an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety. I respectfully urge NHTSA to investigate this failure pattern to determine whether additional vehicles using this engine platform are affected and to take appropriate action to prevent injuries or fatalities. Can you please give me a document so I can go to Mercedes and get this fixed? this first happened in June 2024 and I am since clearing the code myself and I just found out this problem.

I purchased a Mercedes EQB 250+ (2023) in December 2025 from W.I. Simonson Mercedes-Benz in Santa Monica, CA(certified dealership). In April 2026, I discovered a recall affecting certain EQB vehicles through a Facebook forum. After entering our VIN into the official recall database, we confirmed that our vehicle is subject to a recall issued in February 2026. We did not receive any notification (mail, email, or otherwise) from either the dealership or Mercedes-Benz regarding this recall. I contacted the dealership’s Service Department to inquire about the recall and repair options. I was informed that: •The required parts are currently unavailable •Parts are not expected until approximately December 2026 •I should contact Mercedes-Benz corporate for further assistance I contacted Mercedes-Benz customer support and provided my personal details (name, phone number, VIN, address). I explained that: •The recall involves a serious safety concern (potential fire risk) •I have an infant and cannot safely operate the vehicle •I require a loaner vehicle or alternative transportation immediately The representative: •Confirmed that a case was opened •Advised that a follow-up would occur within 7 days I contacted the dealership again to request a loaner vehicle. I was advised that: •Loaner vehicles are only provided when a vehicle is actively undergoing service •Since parts are unavailable, the vehicle cannot be taken in for service Therefore, a loaner vehicle cannot be provided After escalation, a Service Advisor confirmed: •The dealership cannot provide a loaner under these circumstances •Resolution must be pursued directly with Mercedes-Benz corporate Corporate may potentially offer: •A loaner vehicle •A vehicle buyback The vehicle is not safe to operate, leaving me without reliable transportation No loaner vehicle or alternative transportation has been provided Responsibility has been deferred between the dealership and manufacturer

The high-voltage battery cells in my vehicle, supplied by Farasis Energy, are prone to internal short circuits that can cause thermal runaway and vehicle fire. This defect poses a serious risk of fire while the vehicle is parked or in operation. Mercedes-Benz USA has acknowledged this defect through three separate recall campaigns (25V050, 25V894, and 26V073). The first two remedies — software updates — failed to prevent fires, including post-repair fires reported in Europe. Mercedes-Benz subsequently committed to full battery replacement as the only effective fix, but has not made repair scheduling available until approximately December 30, 2026. In the interim, Mercedes-Benz has instructed owners to: (1) park and charge exclusively outdoors, (2) limit charging to 80% of battery capacity. These extraordinary restrictions confirm that the vehicle remains a fire risk and is currently unfit for safe normal use.

On April 2, 2026, while driving at highway speed in heavy traffic, the vehicle experienced a sudden and complete loss of forward propulsion without warning. Engine RPMs increased with no corresponding acceleration, consistent with catastrophic transmission slipping. The vehicle could not maintain safe speed. I coasted to a stop and was able to limp at low speed to a parking area. The vehicle was towed to the selling dealer (Mercedes-Benz of Tysons Corner, Vienna, VA) by Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance. The dealer diagnosed the failure as a broken propeller shaft inside the transmission requiring replacement. No root cause explanation has been provided. The vehicle had approximately 2,455 miles and was 45 days from the lease date of February 16, 2026. This vehicle uses the Mercedes-Benz 9G-TRONIC (725.0) 9-speed automatic transmission with 48V EQ Boost mild-hybrid system — the same platform and powertrain covered by NHTSA Recall 24V-118, which addressed transmission-related loss of propulsion in over 105,000 MY2020–2023 GLE 450 and GLS 450 vehicles.

I am writing to formally notify the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that Mercedes-Benz USA has failed to remedy a known safety defect within a reasonable amount of time, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. § 30120. This notification is submitted in relation to the recall issued under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act regarding the high-voltage battery cells in the 2023 EQB. The manufacturer has acknowledged that an internal short circuit within the battery cells may lead to a vehicle fire while driving or parked. Despite this, a timely and effective remedy has not been provided, leaving me to manage the following severe burdens: • Safety and Psychological Distress: Every time I operate this vehicle, I experience significant anxiety. My primary concern is the safety of my grandchildren; I am constantly haunted by the question of whether I could safely extricate them from the vehicle should it ignite while in motion. • Property and Liability Concerns: I am currently forced to park the vehicle away from other cars and structures to mitigate the risk of a conflagration. I am deeply concerned about my legal and financial obligations should the vehicle ignite and cause damage to third-party property or result in personal injury. • Diminished Performance: The vehicle currently exhibits a decreased mileage range, failing to meet the performance specifications promised at the time of lease. • Breach of Lease Terms: I am required to make full monthly lease payments as per my agreement. However, Mercedes-Benz is failing to uphold their portion of the contract by providing a vehicle that is safe, functional, and fit for its intended purpose. I request that the NHTSA investigate Mercedes-Benz’s delay in providing a definitive remedy and hold the manufacturer accountable for the loss of use and the inherent dangers posed by this defect. A car that "potentially could ignite into flames" at any moment is not a "remedied" vehicle under the law.

The turn signal flasher sound is so low that it is practically inaudible while driving and sometimes left on without notice. This confuses the cars from behind. Even worse, it confuses cars at the opposite direction in city driving. I have had a couple of incidents at busy intersection that the opposite direction car drivers thought I want to make a left turn but really not. The situation is getting more dangerous on highway driving. With the turn signal left on without hearing the audible sound, cars from behind would think that I want to change lane. Some good drivers would slow down but some aggressive drivers would speed up and pass at very high speed. One would ask the turn signal lights should be flashing. Yes, it is but its position are at the top corners on the dashboard and blocked by the steering wheel. Most of the time I would stay focused on the road rather than looking at the dashboard. I had complained this to the Mercedes dealer at Princeton NJ as well as Mercedes itself in NJ but they said that it is designed as is and the volume of the turn signal cannot be adjusted.

3/31/26 2pm After highway driving - 3 miles/35 mph tried to brake- Immediately something was wrong with the brake as and it felt spongy/mushy/unresponsive. Car did not slow until I pressed the brake fully to the floor. The car did stop &was alarmingly unresponsive. Around this time,noticed the white BRAKE light illuminated. Continued to drive - terrified. Had to brake VERY HARD to get car to slow/stop. at home, Quick google search had me try turning on and off parking brake - tied this 5-6 times and white BRAKE light went off and I could brake/stop car. Bought car to Mercedes for service for 4:20 appointment - expressing incredibly strong reservations to Will Bane -and fear about driving car. He assured me as it is braking it should be fine. 04/01/2026 -notified car was ready for pick up/text stated: "Service is complete, everything looked good on the inspection report. No codes in the system for the brake concern and the brakes are currently working as designed" at pickup - and prior in text to will bane - i expressed significant concern about future braking issues. was told it was a "software issue and they updated it" and given a card for roadside assistance There was a recall campaign (2026010002/25p5496612) and codes were cleared as part of this unrelated recall. Brake fluid exchange was performed PRIOR to brake diagnosis Bottom line - I have significant concerns about braking.

The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated that while opening the door, a cracked fuel injector was spraying gasoline. When the door handle was pulled, an aftermarket module ignited the fuel, causing an explosion and heavy smoke from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the vehicle had been taken to the dealer previously for the same issue, but the dealer dismissed the information and returned the vehicle. Shortly afterwards, the failure reoccurred and was recorded. The vehicle had been at the dealer for two months, and the dealer blamed the failure on an aftermarket part, even though the dealer had installed the parts. The vehicle was driven to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with fuel injector failure and was associated with the aftermarket parts that were installed by the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 133,000.