Mercedes-Benz EQB years to avoid

How We Rated the Best and Worst Mercedes-Benz EQB Years

The 2022 and 2023 model years are the worst to buy because they appear in the greatest number of NHTSA recall campaigns, including three escalating battery fire recalls and a drivetrain rollaway recall. This guide draws on NHTSA complaint and recall data, CarComplaints.com news and recall coverage, KBB and Edmunds owner reviews, and owner reports from the Mercedes EQ Club forum. CarComplaints ranks a model year’s severity using its PainRank system - weighing repair cost and mileage at failure - while NHTSA tracks raw complaint volume; those two measures often point to different years, so each claim below is attributed to its actual source. For the EQB, CarComplaints has covered the recall campaigns extensively in news reporting but has not published a per-year PainRank ranking; complaint volume leadership by model year comes from NHTSA data, which shows 2022 and 2023 as the years most frequently cited in owner complaints given their involvement in the most recall campaigns. Our editorial guidelines for vehicle research require that every verdict trace directly to a named source — NHTSA, CarComplaints, KBB, or Edmunds — rather than to editorial judgment alone.

Every Mercedes-Benz EQB Model Year Ranked

The Mercedes-Benz EQB (model code X243) was produced from 2021 to 2026, covering model years 2022 through 2026, and is built on the Mercedes-Benz MFA2 platform shared with the GLB-Class. There is only one generation. The table below ranks each model year individually based on recall campaign involvement and owner complaint data.

Most Common Mercedes-Benz EQB Problems

The single biggest failure across the EQB lineup is high-voltage battery defects that create a fire risk, a problem severe enough to trigger three escalating NHTSA recall campaigns covering the majority of 2022-2024 production. Below are the four most documented recurring failure categories, ordered most serious first.

1. High-Voltage Battery Fire Risk

Mercedes-Benz AG told NHTSA that “a risk of fire of the high-voltage battery cannot be ruled out,” attributing the problem to “deviations in the supplier production process.” Battery cells from an early production period may be less robust against stress factors over time, and an internal short circuit in a battery cell could trigger a thermal event, increasing the risk of fire.

Recall 26V-073 replaced two earlier recalls - 25V-050 and 25V-894 - both of which were attempts to fix this same battery defect. Both failed, and on the third attempt Mercedes-Benz moved to replacing the entire battery pack. The affected vehicles under 26V-073 span 2022-2024 EQB 300 4MATIC, 2022-2024 EQB 350 4MATIC, and 2023-2024 EQB 250+ models, with 11,895 units potentially involved.

In this recall, the EQB battery can catch fire while driving or while parked. As in similar EV battery fire recalls from other automakers, Mercedes warned EQB owners not to charge their SUVs beyond 80% capacity, at least until dealers repair the vehicles. As more data came in, Mercedes moved to a more drastic but reassuring remedy on many affected EQBs: full high-voltage pack replacement with updated hardware, at no cost to owners. Buyer takeaway: before buying any 2022-2024 EQB, confirm in writing that the recall 26V-073 battery replacement has been fully completed - not just the earlier software-only fix under 25V-050.

2. Loss of Drive Power (Bus-Bar Fastener Defect)

NHTSA recall 25V-487, covering 2022-2023 EQB 300 4MATIC and EQB 350 4MATIC vehicles (660 units), found that the bus bar in the high-voltage battery may be secured with incorrect screws, which can cause the system to have a sudden loss of drive power without warning - increasing the risk of a crash.

This defect is separate from the battery fire issue and targets the physical connection inside the pack, not the cells themselves. Dealers will inspect and replace the high-voltage battery as necessary, free of charge; owner notification letters were expected to be mailed September 23, 2025. Buyer takeaway: on any 2022-2023 EQB 300 or 350, verify this recall is closed in addition to the fire-risk campaigns - a sudden power loss in traffic is a genuine crash risk even if the car has not shown fire symptoms.

3. Front Axle Drivetrain Rollaway Risk

NHTSA recall 24V-331 covers 2022 EQB 300 and EQB 350 vehicles - specifically 183 units of the 300 and 100 examples of the 350, for a total of 283 cars - which could roll away while parked due to a faulty weld in the front axle’s electric motor.

Mercedes first noticed the issue in June 2022, when it received complaints of drivetrain noises and vibrations from EQB customers outside the US. The automaker determined that the rattling was caused by a spur gear in the front motor that could break because of a weld that was too brittle. Losing power was not the only potential safety risk because the parking pawl is located in the front axle of the EQB. If the differential spur gear can spin freely, the pawl cannot prevent the front wheels from turning, and the EV might roll away even if it is in “Park.”

An improperly welded spur gear can fail and result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash; dealers will replace the front axle electric drivetrain, free of charge. Buyer takeaway: on any 2022 EQB 300 or 350, check that recall 24V-331 is closed before purchase - the symptom to watch for is loud rattling from the front axle area.

4. Software Glitches and Sensor Faults

Smaller but real driveability issues like sudden power loss can occur if an affected pack or connection fails, and ongoing reports of software glitches and sensor faults send cars back to the dealer more often than owners expect of a Mercedes.

Owner reviews on Edmunds and KBB describe repeated shop visits for sensor malfunctions and dashboard blackout events. One owner reported the car was in the shop four times for sensor malfunctions and once for a “reduced power” message, which resulted in replacement of the rear motor; the radiator flap motor subsequently burned out, and while being replaced the dealer noticed numerous high-voltage battery faults. Owners on EQ forums also mention 12V battery issues, with some reporting the dealer replaced it under warranty - a common issue with electric cars not used frequently. Buyer takeaway: ask for full service records and confirm no open sensor or software campaigns remain on the VIN before buying.

Which Mercedes-Benz EQB Years Should You Avoid

The Mercedes-Benz EQB years to avoid are 2022 and 2023. Both years are involved in the greatest number of NHTSA recall campaigns - including all three iterations of the battery fire recall and, for 2022, the additional drivetrain rollaway and bus-bar fastener campaigns. NHTSA complaint volume across the 2022-2025 range totals 61 complaints per NHTSA data aggregated by The Weekly Driver, with electrical system issues as the leading category; the 2022 and 2023 model years account for the heaviest recall exposure. CarComplaints has not published a PainRank (repair-cost-weighted) ranking specific to the EQB by year, but its news coverage of the EQB centers exclusively on the battery fire campaigns affecting 2022-2023. The years to avoid methodology applied here weights recall campaign count and severity first, then layers in owner complaint volume and PainRank data where a source has published it for the specific model.

**Worst Mercedes-Benz EQB years:** 2022, 2023

1st-Generation Mercedes-Benz EQB (2022-2023)

The 2022 model year carries the most open safety campaigns of any EQB. NHTSA recall 24V-331 alone covers 283 units of the 2022 EQB 300 and 350 for the rollaway risk. On top of that, recall 25V-050 covered 7,362 EQB 250, 300 4MATIC, and 350 4MATIC vehicles for battery fire risk across 2022-2024 production, and recall 25V-487 added a separate bus-bar fastener concern on 2022-2023 EQB 300 and 350 units. There are 5 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2022-2025 Mercedes-Benz EQB vehicles, and the 2022 year touches the most campaigns of any single model year.

The 2023 model year carries the battery fire recall burden across all three campaigns (25V-050, 25V-894, and 26V-073) and the bus-bar fastener recall (25V-487). Among the seven owners who provided feedback on the 2023 EQB for Kelley Blue Book, consumer sentiment is mixed, with 40% recommending the vehicle, and 4 out of 7 owners (57%) rank the 2023 EQB one out of five stars. Owner accounts on Edmunds describe dashboard blackouts, seat-belt faults, and repeated dealer visits. These years are the ones to skip unless the recall remedies are fully documented.

What Are the Best Mercedes-Benz EQB Years to Buy

The best Mercedes-Benz EQB years to buy are 2024 and 2025, with the 2025 offering the lowest recall risk of any EQB built to date. The KBB expert rating holds at 4.2 out of 5 for the 2024 model, consistent with the 2022, and the 2024 benefits from not being part of the bus-bar fastener or drivetrain rollaway campaigns that hit 2022 units.

**Most reliable Mercedes-Benz EQB years:** 2024, 2025

2024 Mercedes-Benz EQB

The 2024 EQB is the cleaner of the two best-year picks for buyers on the used market right now. It avoids the front-axle drivetrain recall (24V-331, which is 2022-only) and the bus-bar fastener recall (25V-487, which covers 2022-2023 only). An update in early 2024 brought longer range and improved infotainment technology, making it a more capable daily driver than the launch-year cars. KBB’s expert rating for the 2024 EQB is 4.2 out of 5, with an EV range of 207-251 miles depending on trim. The one caveat: some 2024 VINs do fall inside recall 26V-073 for the battery fire risk, so confirming that repair is complete remains essential.

2025 Mercedes-Benz EQB

Many 2025-model-year EQBs, especially those built after mid-2024 with updated cells and software, are much lower risk if their recall status is clean and verified. The 2025 is the final full model year before the EQB was succeeded by the GLB with EQ Technology, and units built on updated battery cells from the revised supplier process represent the lowest-risk used EQB purchase available. Verify recall status by VIN before any purchase - not all 2025 production windows are equally clean.

Mercedes-Benz EQB Pre-Purchase Checklist

Before you hand over a deposit on any used EQB, run through these model-specific steps:

• Run the VIN through NHTSA’s recall checker. Confirm that recall 26V-073 (battery fire, full pack replacement) is listed as completed, not merely “open.” If 25V-050 or 25V-894 shows as the only prior repair, the vehicle still needs the new remedy.
• On 2022 and 2023 EQB 300 and 350 models, verify recall 25V-487 is closed. The bus bar in the high-voltage battery may be secured with incorrect screws, which can cause a sudden loss of drive power without warning - a serious risk in moving traffic.
• On 2022 EQB 300 and 350 specifically, confirm recall 24V-331 is resolved. The welded spur gear within the front axle electric drivetrain may not have been welded properly, and an improperly welded spur gear can fail and result in a vehicle rollaway. Ask if any rattling from the front axle was ever reported.
• Ask the seller for documentation of the high-voltage battery replacement. Owners who had their vehicles repaired during a previous recall will need to return their vehicles to Mercedes-Benz dealerships for the final fix - a software-only stamp from 2025 is not sufficient.
• Test the infotainment and driver-assistance systems during the test drive. Ongoing reports of software glitches and sensor faults send cars back to the dealer more often than owners expect of a Mercedes - a dashboard that flickers or a camera that does not initialize on startup is a red flag.
• Check the 12V auxiliary battery condition. Owners on EQ forums mention 12V battery issues, with some reporting the dealer replaced it under warranty. On a used EQB, ask when the 12V battery was last replaced, especially on any car that sat for extended periods.
• Request full service records to confirm all scheduled maintenance and any warranty repairs are documented; a used EQB with gaps in service history and open recalls is a poor risk regardless of model year.
• Check the charge limit setting before purchase. Mercedes warned EQB owners not to charge their SUVs beyond 80% capacity until dealers repair the vehicles - an unrepaired car’s charge management may still be artificially limited, reducing real-world range.

Better Alternatives to Consider

If the EQB years in your budget land on the avoid list, consider these alternatives in the same compact luxury electric SUV segment instead:

• Ford Mustang Mach-E - a higher-volume electric SUV with a longer US production run and a clearer year-by-year reliability track record to shop around

• Cadillac LYRIQ - a purpose-built EV platform with a spacious two-row interior and a more recent launch giving it fewer accumulated recall campaigns relative to its age

• Honda Prologue - a competitively priced luxury-adjacent electric SUV with Honda’s broader dealer network for service support

• Audi Q4 e-tron - built on Volkswagen Group’s purpose-built MEB electric platform, giving it structural advantages over the EQB’s adapted combustion-engine architecture, and recommended by Edmunds as a stronger alternative to the EQB

Is the Mercedes-Benz EQB Worth Buying

Yes, the EQB is worth buying as long as you stick to 2024 or 2025 model years with fully documented recall remedies. Euro NCAP testing gave the EQB a 95% adult occupant protection score and a 91% child occupant protection score, confirming the underlying structure is genuinely safe. The 2024 and 2025 models avoid the worst of the recall pile-up that makes 2022 and 2023 risky, and the updated battery cells used in later production address the core defect at the supplier level. Run the VIN through NHTSA’s recall checker and ask for full maintenance and recall-completion documentation before signing anything - those two steps separate a good used EQB from a costly one.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best Mercedes-Benz EQB years to buy?

The best Mercedes-Benz EQB years to buy are 2024 and 2025. The 2024 EQB carries a KBB expert rating of 4.2 out of 5 and an EPA range of 207-251 miles, and it avoids the drivetrain rollaway and bus-bar fastener recalls that affect 2022-2023 cars. The 2025 benefits from updated battery cells introduced at the supplier level after mid-2024 production.

What are the worst years for the Mercedes-Benz EQB?

The worst years for the Mercedes-Benz EQB are 2022 and 2023. The 2022-2025 EQB accumulated 61 NHTSA complaints in total, with the most frequently reported problem areas being the electrical system, fuel system, and engine, and the 2022 and 2023 years carry the most recall campaigns. Recall 25V-894 was itself an extension of the earlier campaign 25V-050, and the subsequent 26V-073 then replaced both - meaning 2022-2023 owners faced three rounds of recall notices for the same underlying battery defect.

Which year Mercedes-Benz EQB is most reliable?

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz EQB is the most reliable pick in the lineup. Many 2025-model-year EQBs, especially those built after mid-2024 with updated cells and software, are much lower risk if their recall status is clean and verified. It is the only model year where the battery cell defect at the supplier level was addressed during production rather than through a post-sale recall remedy.

What year Mercedes-Benz EQB has the most battery fire risk?

The 2022 and 2023 model years carry the highest battery fire risk. The recall covering 11,895 vehicles includes certain 2022-2024 EQB 300 4MATIC and EQB 350 4MATIC models, as well as 2023-2024 EQB 250+ vehicles, but the 2022 and 2023 years are additionally covered by the earlier 25V-050 and 25V-894 campaigns. NHTSA is explicit that EQBs already repaired under those earlier campaigns still need the new remedy completed - Mercedes-Benz tried to fix this defect twice before moving to a full battery pack replacement on the third attempt.

How long does a Mercedes-Benz EQB last?

The EQB is too new a model to have a long-term durability record, but understanding the hidden costs of owning an electric car - including battery replacement, charging infrastructure, and software update cycles - is part of projecting total ownership cost on any EV. The EQB is built on the Mercedes-Benz MFA2 platform, the same base as the GLB-Class, which provides a well-developed mechanical foundation. On a correctly repaired 2024 or 2025 car with a replaced or verified-clean battery pack, owners can reasonably expect the vehicle to follow the same service life as comparable luxury EVs, provided the 12V auxiliary battery is replaced on schedule and no open recalls remain.