Mercedes-Benz USA has announced a recall of 169 EQB electric crossovers from the 2022 and 2023 model years. The campaign addresses potentially hazardous internal defects in the high-voltage battery packs that could cause overheating and even fire, including when the vehicle is parked. The issue involves the EQB 250, 300 4MATIC, and 350 4MATIC built in Kecskemét, Hungary, between December 2021 and January 2024.

Overheating cases were first noted outside the United States in 2023, and two incidents have been recorded in America—in January and June 2025. Mercedes links the risk to early production deviations and voltage spikes in the charging infrastructure. As a precaution, owners are advised not to charge the battery above 80 percent until dealers update the battery management system software.

The company states the battery is covered for eight years and will be replaced if capacity drops by more than 30 percent. Owner notifications are scheduled to begin on January 16, 2026, and VINs can already be checked on Mercedes-Benz’s U.S. website.

Although the EQB targets the premium compact EV segment, its $53,050 starting price puts it up against the roomier Kia EV9. The brand is also preparing an all-new GLB with EQ technology that is set to replace the current EQB for the 2027 model year.

The recall puts Mercedes in a tight spot, touching both brand image and customer loyalty in the EV space. Still, a prompt software fix and transparent communication should help limit the damage. The temporary 80-percent cap is inconvenient but sensible as a safety margin, and the narrow scope—169 vehicles—suggests the exposure is limited, even if battery-related headlines tend to echo loudly.