Mercedes-Benz will recall 19,481 electric vehicles in China due to potential battery safety issues, according to a notice published by the country’s top market regulator, marking another large-scale recall linked to EV battery reliability.
The recall affects locally produced EQA and EQB electric SUVs manufactured between April 1, 2021, and March 12, 2024, and will begin on June 25, 2026. The vehicles were built by Beijing Benz, the German automaker’s joint venture with Chinese partner BAIC, and the campaign is being conducted under a defect investigation by the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR).
Regulators said variations in the high-voltage battery production process may have reduced reliability, while the existing battery management system could cause certain cells to experience excessive loads. This combination “increases the risk of internal short circuits, potentially leading to vehicle fires and posing safety hazards,” according to the announcement.
To address the issue, Beijing Benz will replace the high-voltage battery packs in affected vehicles free of charge through authorized dealerships. Until repairs are completed, owners are advised to limit charging to no more than 80% of capacity and to park their vehicles outdoors as a precaution.
The latest action expands an earlier recall announced on March 28, 2025, which covered 12,308 domestically produced EQA and EQB units. The two models are compact electric sport utility vehicles positioned in Mercedes-Benz’s entry-level EV lineup.
Battery safety has been a recurring concern across the electric vehicle industry. Earlier in the same week, Chinese premium EV maker Zeekr announced a separate recall affecting more than 38,000 vehicles due to risks associated with thermal runaway in battery systems.