Mercedes-Benz has announced a recall affecting 283 EQB vehicles in the United States due to a safety defect that could potentially lead to unintended vehicle movement. Owners of the affected vehicles can expect to receive notification from Mercedes-Benz on July 9.
The issue, first identified by Mercedes-Benz in June 2022, relates to drivetrain noises and vibrations reported by EQB customers outside the U.S. Further investigation revealed that a weld defect in the front motor’s spur gear could result in the gear breaking, causing it to rotate freely and disengage power to the front wheels.
While the defect does not render the vehicle immobile, as power can still be delivered to the rear wheels, it poses a safety risk as the parking pawl, responsible for keeping the vehicle stationary in “Park,” is located in the front axle. This could potentially lead to the vehicle rolling away unexpectedly, even when parked.
In response, Mercedes-Benz has initiated a recall of the 2022MY EQB 300 and 350 models affected by this issue. Owners are advised to bring their vehicles to a nearby dealer, where the front electric drivetrain will be replaced free of charge.
To determine if their vehicle is affected, owners can check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website. Signs of the defect may include a loud rattle while driving or changing gears, indicating a potential issue with the spur gear.