2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 4matic

On [XXX] at approximately [XXX] PDT, a 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV 450+ caught fire at an intersection in Irvine, California. The vehicle was being driven normally. It was NOT charging. It was NOT in a collision. It was stopped at the intersection when the fire began. There was no warning. Four occupants were inside: the driver (age [XXX] ), two minor children (ages [XXX] and [XXX] ), and one elderly passenger (age [XXX] ). All four escaped, but narrowly — the rear child safety locks barely released in time for the children to exit. The vehicle sustained catastrophic cabin burn-through and is a total loss. Smoke and flames appeared to originate from beneath the vehicle, consistent with a thermal event in the under-floor high-voltage lithium-ion battery pack, pending expert investigation. This vehicle is within the population of NHTSA Recall 24V-372 (Mercedes-Benz battery management system software defect, 14,912 2023-2025 EQE/EQS units, including 551 units of the 2024 EQS SUV 450+). Mercedes documented in its Part 573 report that it received field reports of this defect in October 2023 and waited approximately seven months before filing the recall. Mercedes acknowledged fire risk in the EQS platform in NHTSA Recall 24V-115, stating "a risk of fire cannot be ruled out." In February 2026, Recall 26V-073 ordered full battery replacement in EQB vehicles after Mercedes admitted prior software remedies were failed remedies. On [XXX], a Mercedes EQE caught fire spontaneously in a parking garage in Incheon, South Korea while parked and not charging, damaging 140 vehicles. The fire in this vehicle occurred at zero mph with two young children and an elderly grandmother trapped behind child-locked rear doors. The fire department and police responded. The vehicle is preserved pending expert inspection. I request NHTSA ODI open a formal investigation into spontaneous battery fire risk in the Mercedes EQ platform. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

While driving, the vehicle’s lane keeping system applied an unintended and aggressive steering input during a lane change. I was merging left when the system suddenly forced the steering sharply to the right without driver command. This was not a gentle correction—it was a strong, unexpected movement that could have caused a collision if another vehicle was nearby. In addition, the vehicle has ongoing intermittent ADAS malfunctions, including false forward-collision warnings, proximity sensors activating with no obstacles present, and Park Assist activating while the vehicle is moving on normal roads. I’ve also received messages such as “camera obstructed/visibility blocked” and “content unavailable in current vehicle position,” with ADAS features disabling themselves temporarily. These issues have occurred multiple times and continue to reappear even after several repair attempts by the dealer. Because the defects happen randomly and cannot be reliably reproduced, the vehicle feels unsafe to operate and unpredictable. The steering, sensors, and driver-assist systems do not appear to function correctly or consistently. The vehicle is available for inspection.

The EQS450's delivery was taken from the sonic walnut creek CA dealer on [XXX], the vehicle has ACC and brake assists malfunctioning issues. Phantom braking issues. On [XXX], I was traveling on Interstate at 70-75 mph with no nearby vehicles when the car suddenly braked as if there was a pending collision. It was very scary, it was so violent I thought I had hit something in the road, but it was a clear, dry, sunny day with no road hazards, obstacles or anything else that would have caused it. My wife’s head whipped back and forth, resulting in an enduring headache for her through the rest of the evening. MB Naperville serviced vehicles twice in the past three months, updated software often and again in the next three days, we experienced a sudden and hard stop while driving around 65 mph up a hill. It was a violent and sudden jolting stop. We feel hazardous and untrustworthy to drive the EQS450. MBUSA Case #[XXX] (6/18th),CASE [XXX] (6/19th - Opened by Mercedes Benz Naperville IL dealer). Appreciate your help, and options available. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Driving approx 45mph on a highway without any cars nearby. Sunroof spontaneously exploded. All of the sunroof glass instantly demolished without anything hitting it.

My Mercedes EQS 580 Sedan has had numerous "phantom" braking issues since purchase on [XXX]. While driving on Interstate the vehicle has hard braked multiple times like it was sensing an imminent collision though no collision was imminent. This puts the lives of other motorists and myself in danger. In addition to Interstate driving, the "phantom" braking has occurred several times when leaving a 4way stop. It again appears to sense an imminent collision when none does not exist. i have reached out to the Mercedes Benz Corporate USA offices several times. I was told a resolution to my request to terminate my lease due to safety concerns would be reached 6-8 weeks after September 26, 2024. It is now 10 weeks and 4 days after September 26 and they have still not responded to my multiple communications.