2017 Mercedes-Benz B 250E Powertrain (other) Problems

In November 2024, the vehicle indicated "add coolant". The vehicle was brought to Mercedes Benz of Scottsdale for servicing. The dealership apparently added coolant without advising me that the B250-E has a 100% chance of failure to the Drive Unit / coolant intrusion unless a small part is replaced before coolant leaks into the inverter/entire engine. A few weeks later - the vehicle, while traveling on a highway, had a complete failure and essentially shutdown on moment's notice. It nearly caused a severe accident. Mercedes Benz USA and the MB Scottsdale dealership have refused to cover the cost of a repair (near $7,000) or replace the vehicle (that is completely inoperable). I was disturbed to learn that a failure rate to the Large Drive Module is ONE HUNDRED PERCENT. This same problem exists for early Toyota RAV4 EVs and some Teslas. I encourage you to go to [XXX] to confirm the facts. These vehicles should be recalled. Consumers like me should not have to shoulder the expense due a defect that the manufacturer should cover/resolve. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11705166

Incident

Dec 15, 2024

On Wednesday [XXX] I was driving my electric vehicle to work. I exited the freeway and as soon as I stopped at the light for the off ramp a warning light indicator appeared stating Coolant Low. I found this odd as I was unaware of Electric Vehicles using Coolant. I clicked the OK button on the steering wheel and the message was acknowledged and disappeared from the screen. When the Light changed to green I proceeded to turn towards my office. At the next traffic light a new message popped up stating see service agent before starting your car. I again found this odd as the car was already running and the message could not be acknowledged with the OK button on the steering wheel. I was 2 blocks from my office so I continued on to get the car out of traffic so it wouldn't be a safety hazard. 1 block later the message disappeared and I was stopped at the left turn lane light when the Car completely died. All lights and indicators came on the dashboard and the car was completely dead. A kind person pushed my car out of the street so I would not be in danger or blocking traffic. These 2 indicators on the way to the office where the first indicators that ever were shown prior to the car becoming inoperable. I had the vehicle towed to my certified MB mechanic and he diagnosed the issue within an hour of receiving the car. The drive Unit was damaged due to an internal leak in the drive unit. I contact MBUSA to file a complaint about the car and they notified me I had to have the car diagnosed by a MB Dealership. I had the car towed to MB of Laguna Niguel and they charged me 300 for initial Diagnosis. On October 3, 2024 I was informed by the service rep the car needed additional diagnostics to determine the issue fully. They needed an additional 590.00 to run the diagnostics. On October 7, 2024 I was informed the repairs would be 19,000.00 to repair this car that we only paid 20,000 for. This is a complete design defect and should be covered. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

NHTSA ID

11633846

Incident

Sep 25, 2024

The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz B250E. The contact stated that while reversing from the garage at 3–5 MPH, the contact depressed the park button. The vehicle attempted to go into the park position. There was an abnormal noise detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission fluid needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. While driving at low speeds, the vehicle went into lock mode. The vehicle was taken back to the same local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the gear box and drivetrain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 27,000.

NHTSA ID

11585036

Incident

Jan 31, 2024

Mileage

27,000 mi

At 23,596 total vehicle mileage, the electric drive motor failed while driving. This occurred two days and less than 50 miles after having an annual service performed at an authorized Mercedes Benz dealership. Failure resulted in sudden loss of power alternating with full torque power at any throttle position making the car uncontrollable and hazardous to the occupants and other cars/occupants on the road. No warning indicators, vibrations, or unusual sounds noticed prior to failure. Problem confirmed at the dealership that drive motor had failed. Drive motor produced by Tesla, with Tesla retaining the "core" motor.

NHTSA ID

11547557

Incident

Mar 2, 2023

Electric motor has a coolant line running through it that has developed a leak and is in the process of destroying the motor. This is apparently a known issue that affects all Mercedes E-Class Electric Drive, B250e, Toyota RAV4-EV and some early Tesla Model S cars that have this early type Tesla motor installed. If the motor is not replaced, it could seize. Our car has only 23K miles on it but is out of warranty. I checked the speed sensor on 1/16 and found lots of coolant leakage and evidence of motor abrasion (see attached picture). The car developed a whining/whirring sound a couple of months earlier that are indicative of the problem.

NHTSA ID

11502252

Incident

Jan 16, 2023

The electric motor is destined to fail because of a coolant leak at the speed sensor. According to many accounts the motor will fail and lock up the system. My car has not yet failed but I fear an accident will happen depending on where it falls. My extended warranty from Endurance is no help as they denied coverage for the motor. I have no alternative transportation and am out $17000 on the car.

NHTSA ID

11490473

Incident

Oct 6, 2022

the electric motor has suffered a coolant leak. this is a known issue in the Mercedes B250e, Rav4 EV, and Tesla Model S. This issue should be recalled and repaired.

NHTSA ID

11468727

Incident

Jun 1, 2022

When trying to leave a shopping complex in my Mercedes Benz B250e, the vehicle suddenly just wouldn't move in either drive or reverse. All instruments looked normal, there were no warnings or messages on the console, and the vehicle was fully charged, but the electric motor just would not engage even though the transmission was engaged. The vehicle was towed to the nearness Mercedes Benz dealership in Littleton, where they diagnosed the problem simply as a "failed electric drive". They could offer no explanation as to why the drive failed, but offered us the option to replace it at a cost of over $16k. The vehicle's warranty had expired only 3 months prior, the vehicle only had 16K miles, and I had owned it less than a year, so this all felt very strange that such a major component would simply fail with no explanation. We pleaded with the dealer to honor the warranty under the spirit of "good-will" but did not offer any consolation towards what we feel is an exorbitant cost to repair the vehicle. Upon further research we have discovered that this seems to be a problem with these particular Mercedes model, many other owners of the same vehicle have experienced the same issue, Mercedes is aware of the problem and refuses to recall or honor repairs. vehicle mileage at 16,000

NHTSA ID

11468355

Incident

May 16, 2022

Mileage

16,000 mi

I was on a busy street and my car failed to move. I got a message stating do not start the car until you contact the dealer. After getting the car to Mercedes Benz of Arrowhead they told me that "the drive motor is leaking coolant and is shorting itself out." This is an electric car - a 2017 Mercedes Benz B250e. After doing some research I found that this is a common issue with this model and that Mercedes knows about it.

NHTSA ID

11465948

Incident

May 11, 2022

WHILE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL WITH NO WARNING OR NOTIFICATION. HAPPENED TWICE WITHIN AN HOUR DURING STOP AND GO TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ID

11078964

Incident

Mar 10, 2018

Mileage

12,000 mi