Mercedes-Benz is recalling more than 2,000 EQ series electric vehicles (EVs) in China, adding to the challenges faced by the already struggling EV market. According to an announcement on China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) website, the recall affects a total of 2,380 EQ series EVs in China, including 39 imported EQS SUVs and 2,341 locally produced EQE SUVs.
The recall, which began on June 21, 2024, is due to a risk of the vehicles losing power while driving. This is caused by a software deviation in the high-voltage battery management system, which prevents it from processing diagnostic requests from some control units. This issue could lead to the high-voltage battery being disconnected, resulting in a loss of power while driving and posing a safety hazard.
Mercedes-Benz will upgrade the high-voltage battery management system control unit software for the recalled vehicles free of charge to address this safety concern.
This is the second recall of EVs by Mercedes-Benz in China in the past year due to a risk of loss of power. In August 2023, the company recalled 2,324 imported EQS vehicles for a similar issue related to the electric drive module deactivating.
Despite these recalls, Mercedes-Benz remains one of the most popular luxury brands in China. However, the company does not report EV sales in China and does not appear in the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA)’s monthly ranking of top-selling new energy vehicle (NEV) makers.
To enhance the appeal of its EV models, Mercedes-Benz is reportedly adopting smart driving solutions from Chinese startup Momenta. The all-electric CLA model is expected to be equipped with an HD map-independent smart driving solution from Momenta, enabling pilot-assisted driving in urban areas.
