2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 61 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical, brakes, and automatic emergency braking. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2023- Owner complaints
- 61
- Recalls
- 8
- Crashes reported
- 5
- 18 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/4
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/1
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/1
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/3
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Which EQS is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| Electric | AWD, RWD | 305–340 mi range |
- With a full charge, the range estimate on the dash should land near the EPA figure of 305–340 miles. A much lower number on a mild day can mean a worn battery; ask for a battery health report.
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Electrical16No crashes
The car shuts down while driving, often on highways, with "Battery malfunction," "Towing not permitted," or electrical failure warnings. Some owners say it keeps happening after software updates. Dealers point to the Power Electronics Module or the MUC, and repairs drag on with parts on backorder. A second pattern involves the charging port: burned or melted inlets, "charging fault" errors at DC fast chargers, and one report of a fire. Other reports describe doors that would not unlock after power loss and cruise control slowing hard after misreading speed signs.
Brakes112 crashes
Hard braking with no obstacle ahead is the main complaint. It happens at city and highway speeds, and some owners say it also happens while reversing. Seat belts tighten, and several drivers report whiplash or neck injuries. Many say the problem recurs and the dealer cannot reproduce it, so the car comes back unrepaired. One crash report says the car stopped hard in reverse, then accelerated into a house. A separate complaint describes longer stopping distances when braking over bumps, first noticed at 1,000 miles.
Automatic emergency braking10No crashes
Phantom braking dominates. The collision avoidance system slams on the brakes and tightens the seat belts with no vehicle or object nearby, at speeds from parking-lot pace to 75 mph and sometimes in reverse. Drivers describe near rear-end collisions, and one reports an injury. Some see "Active Emergency Stop Assist" inoperative warnings. Adaptive cruise control can also drop the set speed sharply without warning. Dealers usually cannot find a cause. In one case a software reload helped only for a while.
Body and structure31 crash
The panoramic sunroof shatters at highway speed with no impact, matching the glass failures reported elsewhere on this page. Another complaint says light bumps to the front bumper crack the plastic grille and damage the front camera, with one repair estimate near $3000. A third owner raises a design concern without any incident: the hood has no secondary safety catch and no warning that it is not fully closed, so it could fly open if the main latch fails.
Acceleration and cruise control21 crash
The car stops or slows abruptly with nothing in front of it, both on local streets and on the highway, then resumes normal driving. One owner reports it happened three times and says neither the dealer nor the manufacturer responded. A crash report with 5 injuries blames a failure of automatic emergency braking. The complaints here are few, but they match the phantom braking and sudden-stop patterns reported under brakes and collision avoidance.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints EQS owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
Car stopped abruptly on a two lane highway and a flashing warning came up that said electrical failure. Car jerked to a stop. Had to be towed to the dealership. Very dangerous. A friend has the same car and it happened to him twice. The cars do not need to be on the road until absolutely corrected. Needs a recall.
Filed with NHTSA, June 2024
The vehicle went to catch on fire and the electrical socket burnt so it could no longer charge. The airbag showed malfunction passenger side door. Multiple times the collision warning has malfunction and alerted there was a collision when none occurred.
Filed with NHTSA, August 2025
I had a forward collision with 2 cars. My brake has been failed and forward collision warning system failed. I leased the car because of the safety features but I am really disappointed. Since I had my kids in the car with me. It was a really horrible experience and I can't drive the car anymore because of the safety issues.
Filed with NHTSA, July 2023
The vehicle pre collision automatically stops the car completely five times with no car or any objects in the front. I took the car to Mercedes dealership to see if they can find the issues, but they can’t. On 04/07/2024 I had my wife record while I’m driving and we got video of the car just completely hard breaking on its own with no cars in the front. I am worry that another vehicle will rear end me at higher speed when it does happen again.
Filed with NHTSA, April 2024
I was traveling at about 45 miles per hours on a road with no obstacles (no cars in front of me or anything in the road) when the car braked with no warning.
Filed with NHTSA, June 2023
Active Emergency Stop Assist Inoperative warning has shown up more than once and the dealer can not duplicate the warning or repair. It is causing frequent phantom braking and sudden stops both in normal driving use and cruise control.
Filed with NHTSA, July 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.
Filed with NHTSA, December 2025
How the 2023 compares with other EQS years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2023 has the most owner complaints of the 3 EQS years we cover, about 2.4 times the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Electrical164
- Brakes116
- Automatic emergency braking105
- Body and structure33
- Acceleration and cruise control22
Where the 2023 fits in the EQS's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2023 is the second model year of the EQS's first generation (2022–2024).
Mercedes-Benz updated the EQS for 2024, so a 2023 does not have those changes.
What changed for 2024 (not on a 2023)
- Addition of a free-standing hood ornament
- Updated front fascia with a faux grille
- Minor interior changes
- Increased battery capacity
Recalls to confirm (8)
Recall repairs are free at any Mercedes-Benz dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
25V366000Backup cameraJun 2025
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2022-2025 S-Class, EQE SUV, EQE, EQS SUV and EQS vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. Software in the Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) may cause an incorrect external pedestrian warning sound while reversing. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid Electric Vehicles.".
Risk: A vehicle that makes an incorrect sound may fail to alert pedestrians of a reversing vehicle, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the AVAS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 1, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2025070005.
25V255000ElectricalMay 2025
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2023-2024 C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL, GLC, EQE SUV, EQE, EQS SUV, and EQS vehicles that were incorrectly repaired under recall 24V-115. An incorrect fuse box that was not designed for the vehicle may have been installed.
Risk: An incorrect fuse box can result in a sudden loss of drive power or a loss of critical safety functions such as the restraint systems or instrument cluster, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. Additionally, there could be an increased risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the main fuse boxes, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2025050003/4.
24V960000AirbagsDec 2024
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling a certain 2023 EQS 450+ vehicle. The mounting brackets near the roof may have sharp edges that can damage the side-curtain air bag during deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 214, "Side Impact Protection," and 226, "Ejection Mitigation.".
Risk: An air bag that is damaged during deployment can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the window airbags, and mounting brackets, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 7, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2025010005.
24V372000ElectricalMay 2024
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2024 EQE 350 4MATIC, EQE 350+, EQE 500 4MATIC, EQS 450 4MATIC, EQS 450+, EQS 580 4MATIC, AMG EQE 53 4MATIC, AMG EQS 53 4MATIC, 2023-2025 EQE SUV 350 4MATIC, EQE SUV 350+, EQE SUV 500 4MATIC, EQS SUV 450 4MATIC, EQS SUV 450+, EQS SUV 580 4MATIC, 2024-2025 EQS SUV 680 4MATIC, and AMG EQE SUV 53 4MATIC vehicles. The battery management system software may cause the high-voltage battery to shut down, which can result in a sudden loss of drive power.
Risk: A sudden loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the battery management system software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 5, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024060002.
24V115000ElectricalFeb 2024
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2023-2024 C300, AMG C43, S580e, S580, Maybach S580, Maybach S680, AMG SL43, AMGSL63, GLC300, EQE350, EQE500, EQS450, EQS580, AMG EQS, 2023 S500, AMG SL55, AMG EQE, 2024 E350, E450, AMG C63e S, CLE300 Coupe, CLE450 Coupe, and GLC300 Coupe vehicles. The 80-Amp fuses may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause the fuses to fail.
Risk: An 80-Amp fuse that fails can result in a sudden loss of drive power or a loss of critical safety functions such as the restraint systems or instrument cluster, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. Additionally, there could be an increased risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the main fuse boxes, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 5, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024030008.
23V464000Seat beltsJun 2023
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2022-2023 EQS450 and 2022 EQS580 vehicles. The bolts that secure the rear seat belt buckles to the body of the vehicle may not be secured properly.
Risk: Unsecured seat belts may not properly restrain occupants in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of an injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and secure the rear seat belt buckle bolts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 28, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6373. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2023070009.
23V405000ElectricalJun 2023
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2022-2023 EQS 450, AMG EQS, EQS 580, and 2023 AMG EQE vehicles. A software error in the electric drivetrain may cause a loss of drive power.
Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the electric drivetrain software, free of charge. Owner notifications were mailed beginning July 19, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2023060009.
23V309000ElectricalMay 2023
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2023 EQE 350, S580e, 2022-2023 EQS 450, EQS 580, 2022 AMG EQS 53, and EQS 450+ vehicles. The high-voltage battery monitoring system software may not alert the driver of a battery malfunction. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 305, "Electric-powered vehicles: Electrolyte Spillage and Electrical Shock Protection.".
Risk: A high-voltage battery monitoring system that does not alert the driver of a battery malfunction may increase the risk of an injury.
Fix: Dealers will update the battery management system software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning August 18, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2023070013.
Also looking at these instead of a EQS?
Cars shoppers compare with the Mercedes-Benz EQS, with their own 2023 checklists.
2023 owner complaints, side by side
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