Common problems
Mercedes-Benz EQS Common Problems
We grouped the top NHTSA owner-complaint categories across 3 Mercedes-Benz EQS model years, then counted how often each issue recurs. The result shows patterns worth inspecting without pretending every vehicle will have them.
Data updated April 2026
- Owner complaints
- 112
- Top recurring issue
- Service Brakes
- Crash reports
- 12
- Fire reports
- 3
3 model years
3 affected years
Owner-reported severity signal
27 injuries · 0 deaths
Pattern overview
Most reported Mercedes-Benz EQS problem categories
Service Brakes
22complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 3 model years; highest in 2022.
Forward Collision Avoidance
20complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 3 model years; highest in 2023.
Electrical System
24complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 2 model years; highest in 2023.
Unknown Or Other
13complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 2 model years; highest in 2023.
Structure
6complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 2 model years; highest in 2024.
Vehicle Speed Control
5complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 2 model years; highest in 2022.
Power Train
3complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 1 model year; highest in 2022.
Wheels
3complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 1 model year; highest in 2022.
What owners reported
Issue summaries by Mercedes-Benz EQS model year
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report several recurring electrical issues with the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS, primarily involving charging faults, unexpected shutdowns, and software malfunctions. Complaints frequently mention charging errors, including thermal events at charging interfaces and signs of melting at the charging port, with one instance resulting in a fire. Multiple owners describe sudden vehicle shutdowns accompanied by battery malfunction warnings, sometimes leading to complete immobilization and entrapment of occupants. These issues often occur at varying mileages, with some reports indicating problems as early as 16,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with reports of unintended braking, abrupt stops, and one noted injury due to sudden deceleration, posing risks of collisions and entrapment.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury reports
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS frequently report issues with the vehicle's sunroof glass spontaneously shattering, often described as a loud explosion followed by shattered glass. Additionally, several complaints highlight instances of phantom braking, where the car suddenly stops without obstacles present, leading to potential safety risks such as loss of control and crash incidents. Some owners also mention problems with the door handles retracting unexpectedly and issues with audio and communication systems. These problems are reported across various mileage ranges, often shortly after purchase, and can result in significant safety implications, including a crash and injuries.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 3 injury reports
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS frequently report issues with the service brakes, including sudden and unprompted activation of the emergency braking system. Common symptoms include the brakes engaging without warning at various speeds, sometimes resulting in abrupt stops that have led to crashes and injuries. Several complaints describe the brakes as unresponsive or requiring pumping to function properly, particularly at higher speeds. Reports often note these issues occurring within the first 100,000 miles of vehicle use. Safety implications are significant, with multiple crashes and injuries reported, suggesting potential risks for loss of control.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 4 injury reports
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS frequently report issues with sudden, unintended braking, often described as "phantom braking," where the vehicle abruptly stops without any apparent obstacle or warning. These incidents are noted both on highways and city streets, with speeds ranging from 5 to 60 mph, and often result in a violent stop that can cause injuries, including whiplash. Complaints also highlight instances of brake failure, where the vehicle fails to stop as expected, sometimes leading to crashes, with two reports involving injuries. The issues typically occur at low mileages, with one report noting problems as early as 1,000 miles. These braking malfunctions can pose significant safety risks, including the potential for rear-end collisions or loss of control, which prospective buyers should consider.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 4 injury reports
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners report frequent issues with the forward collision avoidance system in the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS, primarily involving unexpected and abrupt braking, often referred to as "phantom braking." Complaints frequently mention the system engaging without any apparent obstacles or vehicles nearby, leading to sudden stops and seat belt tightening. This issue is noted across various driving conditions, including at highway speeds and during low-speed maneuvers, with occurrences reported as early as 200 miles. Safety implications are highlighted, with one injury reported and several near-miss incidents of potential rear-end collisions. These problems persist despite dealership visits and software updates, suggesting a pattern of unresolved system malfunctions.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners report that the 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS experiences unintended activation of the Forward Collision Avoidance system, leading to sudden and unexpected braking. Complaints frequently mention the vehicle braking without any apparent obstacles or vehicles ahead, with several incidents occurring at various speeds, including highway and city driving. The issue is reported across a range of mileages, with some owners experiencing problems as early as 7,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, as sudden braking in traffic could lead to rear-end collisions, though no crashes are reported. Buyers should be aware that while software updates have been suggested as a remedy, multiple owners indicate that the problem persists despite attempted repairs.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report frequent issues with the 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS's electrical system, particularly involving unexpected activation of the emergency braking system. Complaints frequently mention the vehicle abruptly stopping without warning at various speeds, sometimes resulting in damage, such as rim damage, or near-collisions, especially on highways. This issue is reported at mileages ranging from 500 to over 1,000 miles. Additionally, one owner describes a complete electrical failure leading to a crash, with malfunctioning brakes and steering. Another owner expresses concern over potential fire risk due to battery manufacturer uncertainty, referencing a related incident with another vehicle model. These reports highlight significant safety implications, including loss of control and collision risks, which prospective buyers should consider.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
STRUCTURE
Owners report issues with the 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS related to the trunk and sunroof. Complaints frequently mention the trunk opening and closing without warning, even when the vehicle is parked and locked, leading to one incident where a child was pinned and another where it almost injured two individuals. Additionally, multiple owners describe the sunroof glass shattering spontaneously while driving, with one instance resulting in injuries from imploded glass shards. These issues suggest potential safety risks, particularly concerning unexpected trunk movements and sunroof failures while the vehicle is in operation. No specific mileage or timeline patterns emerge from the complaints.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 0 fire, 3 injury reports
Pre-purchase inspection
What to check on a used Mercedes-Benz EQS
When problems are reported to begin
- Electrical system failures — 40,000–50,000 miles on the 2024 model-year record
- Phantom braking — 200–8,000 miles on the 2023 model-year record
- Electrical system failures — 16,000 miles on the 2023 model-year record
- Forward Collision Avoidance — 7,000–16,640 miles on the 2022 model-year record
- Tire Wear — 3,000–9,000 miles on the 2022 model-year record
- Electrical System Failures — 500–1,041 miles on the 2022 model-year record
Buyer red flags
- Inspect charge port for signs of arcing or damage
- Test trunk operation for unexpected opening/closing
- Check sunroof for signs of stress or cracking
- Test forward collision and lane departure systems for phantom braking or steering issues
- Verify ADAS systems function consistently without error messages
- Test for phantom braking by driving at various speeds and conditions
- Inspect sunroof for cracks or signs of stress
- Check charging port for signs of melting or damage
How to interpret the counts
Complaint totals are not failure rates
A popular or older model can accumulate more complaints simply because more vehicles exist and have spent longer on the road. The categories above aggregate the counts embedded in each model year's leading issues. Use recurrence across years and severity signals to decide what to inspect; use the VIN and a mechanical inspection to judge one car.
Source trail
Where this Mercedes-Benz EQS data comes from
VinExposed combines model-level research with the vehicle-specific history you get from a VIN. Reliability scores and complaint patterns come from Auto Reliability Index's Mercedes-Benz EQS research, which analyzes NHTSA records and independent repair data.
Recall counts describe a model year, not the repair status of one car. Confirm the exact VIN with the official NHTSA recall lookup and a vehicle-history report before buying.
Buyer questions
Mercedes-Benz EQS research FAQ
What is the most common Mercedes-Benz EQS problem?
Service Brakes is the broadest recurring complaint category in the available model-year records, appearing among the top issues for 3 years with 22 complaints represented.
Which Mercedes-Benz EQS year has the most reported problems?
The 2022 has the largest service brakes count among the years where that category appears. Compare the full year record because a different year may lead on another problem category.
Do NHTSA complaints prove a Mercedes-Benz EQS has a defect?
No. Owner complaints are unverified reports and can be duplicated or influenced by sales volume and vehicle age. They are useful patterns to investigate alongside recalls, service records, inspection results and the exact VIN.
Check the actual car
Model research narrows the list. The VIN confirms the car.
Check title brands, accidents, odometer history, auction records and recall status for the specific Mercedes-Benz EQS you are considering.
