Mercedes-Benz EQE 300 V295

The EQE's 12V auxiliary battery powers the vehicle's control systems, and when it fails or drains, the car cannot wake up or shift out of Park. Owners report messages like 'Switch on vehicle to charge the 12V battery' or 'Malfunction, stop vehicle.' The telematics module and SmartKey system draw 40-75 mA continuously, draining the 12V battery within 7-14 days if the car is not driven or plugged in. Mercedes has issued software updates to improve sleep behavior and reduce parasitic draw, but the underlying design persists. Replacement 12V battery costs €300-500 at a dealer (including the AGM battery and coding), or around €150-250 at an independent shop. Many owners report needing replacement every 2-3 years.

The MBUX Hyperscreen (or standard screen) can freeze, lag, or reboot during driving. Wireless Apple CarPlay connections drop, and OTA updates sometimes stall mid-install, requiring dealer intervention to recover. The steering-wheel dual-button reset (holding phone and voice buttons for 15-20 seconds) fixes most crashes temporarily. Failed OTA updates occasionally require the dealer to reflash the head unit. Software issues are most common on early 2022-2023 builds. Mercedes has improved stability through successive updates, but the system remains complex. Most fixes are covered under warranty; out-of-warranty head unit replacement costs €600-800 if hardware is faulty.

The EQE uses flush-mounted retractable door handles with integrated motors and Keyless-Go sensors. These are known to stop presenting when approached or touched, leaving the driver unable to open the door from outside. The issue affects all Mercedes models with flush handles. Each handle is a complete integrated assembly including motor, latch, and sensor electronics. Mercedes released an updated door handle carrier assembly with improved sensors. Replacement costs around €300-400 per handle at an independent shop, or €400-600 per handle at a dealer. Multiple handle failures are not uncommon, especially on cars regularly exposed to cold or damp conditions. A 12V system reboot sometimes temporarily restores function.

Mercedes recalled EQE and EQS models produced between February 2023 and May 2024 (KBA recall 012871, affecting 3,699 cars in Germany alone) for a battery management system software defect. The BMS could become overloaded by continuous diagnostic requests from other control units, causing the HV battery to shut down unexpectedly, cutting propulsion without warning. The fix is a free dealer software update. Mercedes remedied the issue in production from May 2024. Any used EQE from 2023-2024 production should have this recall verified as completed before purchase. If the recall is done, no further cost. If an unpatched car experiences the fault, towing and diagnosis may cost €200-500 before the recall work is applied.

If the EQE is equipped with the optional AIRMATIC air suspension, the rubber air springs are susceptible to developing slow leaks over time, especially as they age past 4-5 years. The car will sag on one corner after being parked overnight. AIRMATIC strut replacement costs €800-1,200 per corner for parts, plus €300-500 labor per strut. The compressor can also fail if it runs excessively to compensate for leaks, adding €800-1,000 for replacement. Cars with standard steel-spring suspension do not have this issue at all. Check whether the car has AIRMATIC before purchase, as this significantly affects the risk profile.

Early EQE models shipped with expansion valve Y140/1 (part A 297 830 54 03) that is prone to sticking. When it fails, the battery thermal management system cannot regulate temperature properly, triggering 'Cooling system fault' warnings and potentially reducing power or charging speed. Mercedes introduced an improved part (A 297 830 89 03) that resolves the issue. Replacement costs €500-800 at a dealer including refrigerant evacuation and refill. If the valve failure causes the car to run with degraded cooling for extended periods, additional coolant circuit purging may be needed, bringing total costs to €800-1,200. This primarily affects 2022-2023 production cars.

Owners report intermittent warnings like 'Active Brake Assist inoperative' or 'Parking assistance unavailable' even when cameras and sensors are clean. Some EQE owners have had their car at the dealer 8 or more times for recalibration of parking sensors and cameras. The root cause varies: sometimes it is a software bug resolved by an update, sometimes a faulty sensor module needs replacement. Camera recalibration at a dealer costs €150-300 per visit. If a sensor module (radar, camera, or ultrasonic sensor) needs replacement, costs rise to €500-1,000. Mercedes has issued TSBs addressing specific sensor firmware and calibration procedures.

Because regenerative braking handles most deceleration, the physical brake pads and rotors see very little use, allowing surface rust to build up on the rotor face. This causes loud squealing or grinding at low speeds, especially after the car has been parked for several days. Mercedes includes a 'Brake service mode' in the MBUX system that lightly applies brakes while driving to clean the rotors. An updated rear brake pad shim kit is available to reduce squeal. If rotors develop deep pitting from prolonged corrosion, disc replacement costs €300-800 for a pair. Intentionally using the physical brakes periodically and switching to low regeneration mode occasionally helps prevent this.