Mercedes-Benz has recalled certain 2022–2024 EQB electric SUVs. This is because a defect in the high-voltage battery can cause an internal short circuit and potentially lead to a vehicle fire. The recall is identified as NHTSA Campaign 26V-073 and affects approximately 11,895 vehicles in the United States. 

For owners in Sherman Oaks, Beverly Hills, and throughout Los Angeles County, this is more than an inconvenience. A battery-fire risk raises concerns about personal safety, property damage, and whether you can trust the vehicle sitting in your garage or driveway.

Here is what you need to know about the Mercedes-Benz EQB battery fire recall.

What Is the NHTSA Recall 26V-073?

The recall involves the high-voltage battery used in certain Mercedes-Benz EQB vehicles. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, some battery cells can develop an internal short circuit. Under certain conditions, that problem can result in a fire. This issue can occur while the vehicle is being driven or parked. 

The affected vehicles include certain EQB 250+, EQB 300 4MATIC, and EQB 350 4MATIC models from the 2022–2024 model years. However, the safest way to see whether your vehicle is affected is to check the VIN rather than relying on the model and year. 

This Is Not the First EQB Battery Recall

Unfortunately, this is not the first recall for an EQB battery. Recall 26V-073 replaces two earlier recalls involving the same battery problem: NHTSA 25V-050 and 25V-894.

Many EQB owners may have already taken their vehicles to a Mercedes-Benz dealership for a previous recall repair, and now another recall has been issued that requires a different remedy.

The newest recall calls for replacement of the high-voltage battery. Mercedes’ earlier recall involved a software-based remedy. However, the latest notice came after the manufacturer determined that the previous remedy did not address the safety risk. 

For an owner who has already spent time dealing with the dealership, this can be pretty frustrating.

What Should EQB Owners Do?

If your vehicle is affected, don’t ignore the recall notice. NHTSA recommends checking your vehicle’s recall status using its VIN. If there’s an open recall, the repair should be completed through an authorized dealership without charge. 

Mercedes has instructed affected owners to follow specific charging and parking precautions while waiting for the remedy. 

And if you have already had the earlier recall repair performed, the latest recall may still apply to your vehicle.

What If the Battery Replacement Is Not Available?

A recall notice does not necessarily mean that the replacement battery is sitting at your local dealership waiting for you. If parts aren’t available, your vehicle may remain on the recall while you wait for the permanent remedy.

If you’ve experienced a long delay, keep documentation of everything. You want to save recall notices, dealership communications, repair orders, appointment dates, car rental records, and notes about how long your vehicle has been unavailable or subject to restrictions.

Those records could become important if you later need to file a Lemon Law claim.

Does the EQB Recall Mean You Have a Lemon?

No, a vehicle recall does not make a vehicle a lemon. California’s Lemon Law looks at several factors, including:

• Whether the vehicle has a qualifying warranty-covered problem
• Whether the manufacturer has been given a reasonable opportunity to repair it
• The circumstances surrounding the repair attempts
• The amount of time the vehicle has been out of service 

But what about an EQB that has already been subject to multiple battery-related recall campaigns? If the vehicle has repeatedly required service for the same underlying problem, has spent significant time at the dealership, or remains subject to a serious safety defect despite repair attempts, those facts could lead to a potential Lemon Law claim.

Remember, there is no magic number of recalls that automatically turns a Mercedes into a lemon. Your individual repair history is important in these situations.

When Should You Talk to a Lemon Law Attorney?

If you’re driving a vehicle with a Mercedes-Benz EQB battery fire recall notice, you don’t need a lawyer because your VIN appears on the recall list. But if your vehicle has already been through multiple repair attempts or you’ve lost substantial use of it, don’t assume you have to live with a recall. You may have legal options.

At BLVD Law, we can look at the entire history of your EQB, not just the latest recall notice, and help you understand whether that could support a claim under California law. Schedule a consultation with our team today.