2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 4MATIC

The electric refrigerant compressor on my 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 4MATIC SUV failed without warning. On this vehicle, the compressor is a dual-function safety-critical component: it provides cabin air conditioning and, more importantly, active cooling for the high-voltage lithium-ion battery pack. I am filing this complaint because a single-point failure in a component responsible for high-voltage battery cooling should not occur on a vehicle of this age and mileage, and because owners receive inadequate warning of the safety consequences when it does. I request that NHTSA investigate the failure rate of the electric refrigerant compressor on 2022–2024 EQS-platform vehicles and evaluate whether the battery thermal management design provides adequate redundancy and driver warning The vehicle was taken to an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer, which confirmed the refrigerant compressor failure and replacing the compressor under warranty. Parts are backordered per Mercedes. The vehicle has been off the road for 28 days The dealer did indicate awareness of similar failures on other EQS vehicles.

NHTSA ID

11749465

Incident

Apr 24, 2026

There are several issue with the 2024 Mercedes EQS. I had the car have a full system failure and stop in the middle of the road with no warning. It could not even be towed. Apparently coolant was leaking without any warning. This caused a complete system failure- car wouldn't power on, couldn't be towed, couldn't be pushed to a safe location- nothing. The next most concerning issue is car automatically locks itself within seconds and with the key inside and with a passenger inside. My baby was trapped in the car. I came out of the driver seat and the key was in my purse. This could've resulted in a fatal incident. I live in [XXX] where we have a lot of heat. What if my key and phone were both in the car and my daughter was trapped. The car has locked automatically with key still in the car on multiple occasions. The car shuts off on its own within 2 minutes while passengers are inside. Again, as a parent this is deeply concerning and can lead to a fatal incident and overheating The lane correction is extremely harsh and many times wrong pulling the car in the wrong direction and with a lot of force INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11747379

Incident

Jun 18, 2026

My Mercedes EQS SUV has experienced repeated safety-related defects. The brakes have intermittently locked up while driving, creating a serious safety concern. The vehicle also vibrates at highway speeds on the freeway. These issues have occurred on two separate occasions. Despite multiple service visits, the dealership has been unable to diagnose or repair the problems. During the first incident, they reset the software. During the most recent incident, multiple software error warnings appeared simultaneously, indicating system malfunctions (see images for documentation). The vehicle has now been at the Mercedes service center for over two weeks, with required parts on backorder from Mercedes and no estimated repair timeline provided.

NHTSA ID

11708709

Incident

Dec 15, 2025

The contact owns a 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS580 4Matic. The contact stated that the vehicle was designed with Level 2 Semi-Autonomous Driving System and was purchased brand new. The contact stated that the first failure had occurred in the first month of purchase. The contact stated that while driving with the Adaptive Cruise Control with the Stop-and-Go Mode engaged, the set speed changed radically. The contact stated that while the speed was set to 60 MPH, the speed decelerated to 20 MPH unintendedly. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The contact stated that a staff at the dealer advised the contact that it was a known issue with similar vehicles. The contact stated that the failure recurred while the dealer was test-driving the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle back to several dealers on several occasions and the contact was provided a loaner vehicle; however, the same failure occurred with the loaner vehicles. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200.

NHTSA ID

11701566

Incident

Feb 6, 2023

Mileage

200 mi

The sunroof shattered and before that the eye brow shattered, as well. No hits to the glass. With the sunroof I wasn’t even on a highway.

NHTSA ID

11658112

Incident

Apr 29, 2025

Complaint Crackling and cracking noise from the outer wheel on the front axle when cornering Cause The noise is generated by a micromovement on the contact surface between the rim and the brake disk (wheel bolt group) and may be intensified by potential soiling. The more lightweight rim (AMG forged rim) transmits the noise louder; in the case of cast rims, the noise is generally not perceptible. This is not a technical defect, but rather a complaint concerning comfort. Safe operation of the vehicle is ensured at all times. Remedy Important note: The operations described below do not represent a permanent remedy in every case. The noise may reoccur again after an indefinite period of time; sanding the rims with abrasive media multiple times is not permissible. Only cleaning using the Hazet tool 4960-160 (recommendation) can be performed without any concerns each time the wheel is changed or if the complaint reoccurs. Replacing the parts (rim, wheel bolts, wheel bearings, wheel hub, brake disk) is not expedient in the event of this complaint. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Clean the components of the wheel bolt connection according to the WIS instructions Sand down the rim and brake disk bowl by performing the following steps: • Manually sand rim (old design only) in area of water drain bores (Figure 1; item A), approx. 1.5 cm left and right of water drain bore (Figure 2) Note: Use abrasive paper with grit size 80. The grooving in this area should no longer be visible (sand down approx. 0.1-0.2mm) • Also sand brake disk bowl using emery cloth or abrasive paper with a grain size of 120 • For vehicles equipped with the AMG ceramic brake system (B07), abrasive paper may not be used for cleaning on the brake disk side Note: Do not use any cleaning agent when cleaning on the rim side. Cleaning using abrasive paper with a grain size of 80 will suffice. Do not apply any grease, lubricant or paste after cleaning The brake disk bowl should be "bare metal" in the area of the imprints made by the hole (Figure 3)

A software update is available to enable Plug & Charge at Tesla Superchargers. Schedule a workshop visit with your dealer to receive the update.

Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. Note: Sound file in attachment Cause If the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar nut (by 1 turn), the problem is due to cracking of the microweld between the wheel bearing inner race and the joint housing of the side shaft. Note: The collar nut must always be replaced after being loosened. See also LI33.20-P-078406 Remedy Coat contact surface of side shaft with wheel bearing with Molykote paint. To do this, proceed as follows: 1. Remove side shafts 2. Clean contact surface A (see image file in attachment "Outer joint housing before") before coating with Molykote, using "spirit" (free of dust and grease) 3. Coat contact surface A (see image file in attachment "Outer joint housing after") with Molykote and leave to dry for "one hour" in removed condition 4. Reinstall side shafts Note: Before using the antifriction coating (Molykote), stir it or shake it thoroughly for (at least 1 minute).

Complaint Traffic sign symbol for "Traffic Sign Assist" is blinking in instrument cluster without obvious cause usually with one of the following scenarios: • Flashing without a speed limit ("- -"). • Flashing when current vehicle speed is under speed limit. • Flashing between US speed limit symbol and European speed limit symbol. NOTE: • Verify that the concern falls under one of the attachment videos. If not, then it is outside of the scope of this LI. • This also does not cover "Traffic Sign Inoperative" messages on the instrument cluster. Cause There are two identified reasons for this concern: 1. Country code information stored incorrectly at a particular geographic latitude range. 2. Incorrect reference data when the vehicle is started and a GPS signal is not immediately available. Remedy Do not replace parts. Please open a TIPS case to the Body/Chassis/Entertainment inbox but read the below carefully: • The vehicle must be exhibiting the concern as shown in the attachment videos. • The vehicle DOES NOT need to be at the dealer, nor does it need to be brought into the dealership. • If the geographic location is known, it is very important that it is provided. • Provide any pictures or videos, if available. A new software for the head unit is scheduled for tentative release in Q3 2026.

Complaint Radio station cover art does not refresh when switching stations. The UI continues to show the old station’s artwork instead of updating to the new one. Cause When a new station change request is triggered, a temporary glitch is causing the Head Unit application to fail to overwrite the previous request. This glitch is causing the cover art mismatch in the Radio application. Remedy Please do not replace any parts. The E505.9 software is released and available in XENTRY Q3 2026.

Complaint Creaking noise, in irregular sequence when driving slowly in combination with slight steering movements and/or Creaking/crackling noises from the area of the wheel bearing on the front axle when cornering/ maneuvering. Sound file attached for comparison. MUST match noise for proper diagnosis. NOTE: Steering functionality is not affected. Cause Contact area between wheel bearing and steering knuckle. See also: LI35.30-P-058566 (Throttle Lift-Off Noise - Rear) LI33.30-P-056665 (Throttle Lift-Off Noise - Front) LI40.10-P-059248 (Wheel cracking noise when cornering) Remedy 1. Perform Operation A and evaluate by testing vehicle. 2. If noise is still present after re-testing: • If 192/232 chassis, verify FIN is in the listed range below in "Operation B" and perform. • If not 192/232 chassis or vehicle is a 192/232 not in the listed FIN range, additional verifications of where the noise is coming from are needed. Use multiple channel NVH method to narrow down location. Verify the LI's listed above were completed or if there are other similar noises associated with the chassis (Example: 192/232 also has under panel noises and an associated LI). Operation A: 1. Clean contact surfaces of wheel bearing and steering knuckle with brake cleaner as seen in the attached pictures. NOTE: The front area of the wheel bearing and the seals must not come into contact with the cleaner, otherwise, the sealing rings will be damaged. 2. Clean threads of wheel bearing mounting. 3. Thinly coat contact surfaces of wheel bearing, steering knuckle, and axle mating face with Molykote (annular joint grease). See the attached steering knuckle and wheel hub pictures for reference. NOTE: Axle mating face greasing is also covered in LI35.30-P-058566 and LI33.30-P-056665. Operation B (Only applies to 192 and 232 in listed FIN range): Only affects vehicles up to FIN end number: • Model series 192: xxx xxx xx 002 876 • Model series 232: xxx xxx xx 022 312 1. Replace steering knuckle. 2. Wheel bearings do not need to be replaced.