2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 4MATIC

CRITICAL SAFETY DEFECT: Recurring automated ADAS sensor failure causing maximum-force phantom braking without warning or driver input. VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION: 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 4MATIC SUV (VIN: [XXX]). CHRONOLOGY OF LATEST INCIDENT: On Wednesday, XXX, at approximately 7:20 a.m. MT, I was driving eastbound on [XXX]. A few yards after passing directly under the Lite Rail underpass, and before entering the right lane to turn onto [XXX], the vehicle abruptly and violently engaged its brakes at full emergency force. The speed was approximately 20–30 mph. Weather was clear, daylight, with dry road conditions. DESCRIPTION OF PERFORMANCE: The vehicle executed full deceleration to a brief, sudden halt before automatically resuming forward motion. No manual reset or power cycle was required. Crucially, the roadway ahead was completely empty; no vehicles, pedestrians, or obstructions were present for at least 200 feet. No warnings, error tones, or system fault alerts appeared on the driver dashboard or MBUX screens during or after the event to explain the unprompted intervention. The violent deceleration deeply jarred both myself and my front-seat passenger. The nearest trailing vehicle was approximately 100 feet behind. A closer motorist would have resulted in an unavoidable rear-end collision. SYSTEMIC AND RECURRING DEFECT: This is the third time during three years of ownership that the vehicle has exhibited identical phantom braking behavior at this exact geographical coordinate under the Lite Rail underpass. This absolute spatial consistency indicates that the vehicle's ADAS suite (radar/cameras) is critically misinterpreting structural shadows or overhead metal as a collision hazard, creating a clear and present danger to occupants and trailing traffic. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11770348

Incident

Sep 16, 2026

The center console display (MBUX) on this 2023 EQS 450 4MATIC fails while the vehicle is in use. There is no warning lamp, chime or message first. Sometimes it flickers on and off; other times it goes fully blank and stays blank, unresponsive to touch. Owner video shows the display working and then completely blank 0.4 seconds later. When the screen is blank the rearview backup camera is unavailable. Selecting reverse produces no image at all. The rear camera image appears only on that center screen, so the failure removes the rear visibility required by FMVSS 111 and leaves the driver reversing with no camera view in parking garages, driveways and residential streets. An authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer has reproduced and confirmed the failure across five visits, from 7,916 miles in August 2025 to 20,789 miles in August 2026, with 28 days out of service. In May 2026 (RO 1410670) the dealer diagnosed fault B159211, a short circuit to ground on the data line between the head unit and the central display, removed the dashboard and replaced a harness. The technician reported that instead of removing the original short-circuited harness he cut off its connector ends, taped the exposed cables and left that harness inside the vehicle. The failure recurred ten weeks later and was recorded on video on 29 July 2026. On the most recent visit (RO 1418392, 26 August to 3 September 2026) the dealer wrote "tech confirmed customer concern," reviewed the video, and recorded fault B162997: the data line between the reversing camera and the head unit has a malfunction. The entire central display was replaced. The defect has survived a software reflash, a harness replacement and a display replacement. This vehicle was previously repurchased by the manufacturer under California lemon law for a defective rearview camera and was certified in writing as fully repaired before resale. The vehicle, the video and all repair orders are available for inspection on request.

NHTSA ID

11762332

Incident

Jul 29, 2026

Odometer Fraud. The contact leased a 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 X4. The vehicle was a dealer sale. After returning the lease vehicle to the dealer, he was informed the odometer closure was not available during the drop-off and it would be emailed. The contact stated that the vehicle was returned with the mileage at 17,000. The inspection report also indicated that the odometer reading was 17,000. The contact received a bill that indicated that the mileage was 7,000. The finance office was contacted, and they informed him to return to the dealer. The dealer indicated that the discrepancy was not his problem. The police were contacted, and a report was filed.

NHTSA ID

11736095

Incident

Feb 1, 2024

Mileage

17,000 mi

Several times, the car's "panic braking" has randomly slammed the brakes and tightened the seat belt. After the first few times, I took it to Mercedes and they re-uploaded software which was hard for them for some reason. It fixed the problem. Luckily, I had always been on small streets. But today, the panic braking happened again, only this time, I was on a major road (4 lanes at 35 mph) and, with nothing around me, no cars in front of me, the panic braking and seatbelt tightening happened so violently that I was thrust forward with enough force to hurt my hip. Nothing severe no doctors needed. I will take it back into Mercedes for another review but what if there had been someone behind me or I hadn't been wearing my seat belt. I would have been hit hard or gone through the windshield. (I was wearing my seatbelt and always do). This has happened at least 5 times since I've owned it.

NHTSA ID

11726004

Incident

Mar 21, 2026

On the date of purchase, while driving approximately 50 mph, the vehicle’s hood opened unexpectedly, obstructing my visibility and causing the vehicle to leave the roadway and enter a ditch. State Police responded, and the vehicle was towed immediately. This incident presents a serious safety defect. The is vehicle is certified by Mercedes Benz and purchased from Mercedes Benz Dealer.

NHTSA ID

11714687

Incident

Jan 19, 2026

While the vehicle was stationary and connected to a DC Fast Charging station (Electrify America), a thermal event occurred at the charging interface. The charging connector overheated and thermally fused (welded) to the vehicle's high-voltage charging inlet. The connector could not be released by the vehicle or the station. A technician dispatched by the charging network was unable to remove the connector using standard release protocols. The technician confirmed the equipment had failed and was forced to use physical leverage to pry the fused connector off, resulting in the fracture of the vehicle's charging receptacle. I couldn't charge the vehicle anymore and so I took it to the Mercedes dealership. The certified manufacturer diagnosis confirmed the failure was caused by a "loose connection" and thermal defect in the external charging station cable, not the vehicle. The high-voltage receptacle was destroyed. This failure mode presents a critical safety risk of fire and entrapment, as the vehicle could not be disconnected or moved during the thermal event.

NHTSA ID

11705614

Incident

Jul 13, 2025

My panoramic sunroof shattered with no warning and no apparent impact. It exploded outward, while traveling at a high speed on the highway. It was late and there were no other vehicles on the road at the time. I was not near an overpass.

NHTSA ID

11702169

Incident

Nov 20, 2025

Complaint When switching the front passenger display on and off, sporadic images may be shown that are similar to stains on the display. This complaint need not be a permanent one, it may disappear again on its own. Attachments 1648459315482 (1).jpg 1648459315528.jpg Cause Implausible video transfer from head unit during start and switch‑off sequence. These images (artifacts) are of a purely cosmetic nature only and they do not impair the function. Remedy Software update of MBUX (A26/17) to software release E316.5 or higher.

Complaint When switching the front passenger display on and off, sporadic images may be shown that are similar to stains on the display. This complaint need not be a permanent one, it may disappear again on its own. Cause Implausible video transfer from head unit during start and switch‑off sequence. These images (artifacts) are of a purely cosmetic nature only and they do not impair the function. Remedy Software update of MBUX (A26/17) to software release E316.5 or higher.

Issue A software update will be performed that provides enhancements to the robustness and system stability of the communication module. The update is free of charge and runs in the background, which takes about 8 minutes to install. During this time, the vehicle can be driven without any restrictions, and the new software will be active with the next ignition cycle. Remedy MBUSA will conduct an OTA service campaign. Remote software updates are automatically downloaded and installed in the customer’s vehicle free of charge and do not require a dealer visit.

Complaint Slight creaking noises when steering. Cause Noises may come from one or more sleeves of the horn contact plate. Remedy Remove the horn contact plate and check the sleeves for noise; see attached video. If necessary, apply lubricant to the sleeves.

A software update will be performed that provides enhancements to the robustness and system stability of the communication module. The update is free of charge and runs in the background, which takes about 8 minutes to install. During this time, the vehicle can be driven without any restrictions, and the new software will be active with the next ignition cycle. Remedy MBUSA will conduct an OTA service campaign. Remote software updates are automatically downloaded and installed in the customer’s vehicle free of charge and do not require a dealer visit.

Complaint Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE: Although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. Cause Although the cause of the vibration is most likely due to excessive lateral runout on the rotor or hub/wheel bearing, the system as a whole needs to be checked for other possible contributors. 1. Prior collision damage. 2. Excessive vehicle sitting times without rotating components. 3. Wheel bearing/hub lateral runout. 4. Wheel mating interface has been overtightened (did not follow WIS torque procedures). 5. Mating interfaces have been excessively modified (painted, gouged, bent, etc...). Remedy Read through the entire attached worksheet prior to performing. After performing, please review the final page and perform work accordingly. NOTE: This document is not pre‑authorization or otherwise dealing with warranty. This is intended for diagnostic purposes only. If there are any questions on how to proceed OR The work sheet has been performed and the vehicle has returned with the same concern. Please perform the measurements as seen in the worksheet again and open a TIPS case to the Body, Chassis, and Entertainment team.