Mercedes-Benz warns EQB owners: cap charging at 80% amid fire risk

Mercedes-Benz has issued a warning for a small batch of EQB electric crossovers in the United States: for now, owners are advised not to charge the battery above 80 percent. The concern is a potential short circuit inside certain cells that, in the worst case, could trigger overheating and a fire—whether the vehicle is moving or parked.

The notice covers 169 early-build vehicles (EQB 250, EQB 300 4Matic, and EQB 350 4Matic). There’s no permanent hardware repair on the table; instead, dealers will install an update for the battery-management system to lower the risk at high states of charge. Until a service visit, the guidance effectively boils down to an 80/20 routine: a little less maximum range in exchange for a calmer ownership experience.

In day-to-day use the ask is simple: set a charging cap in the vehicle’s menu, avoid leaving the car sitting at a high charge level for long stretches, and pay attention to any alerts on the instrument panel. In the EV space this is a familiar precaution, yet it’s still a frustrating one—particularly heading into the 2025 model year, when buyers expect confidence rather than compromises.