Mercedes-Benz Maybach EQS SUV 680 4MATIC X296

The MBUX Hyperscreen spans three displays under a single glass panel, controlled by over 100 electronic control units. Owners frequently report the system becoming unresponsive, displaying only every other frame, or restarting entirely while driving. This temporarily disables navigation, climate control, the reversing camera, and charge planning. Early 2022-2023 EQS models are most affected, with a recall covering 8,530 EQS and S-Class vehicles built between July 2020 and January 2022. OTA updates frequently hang at 80-90% and refuse to complete, sometimes requiring multi-day dealer visits for manual updates. Settings, driver profiles, and ambient lighting themes can reset spontaneously. On 2024+ production cars (which includes the Maybach EQS SUV 680), software maturity is improved but freezes and audio artifacts are still reported. If the issue persists after updates, the central MBUX control unit may need hardware replacement at a cost of around 1,500-2,500 euros at a Mercedes dealer.

This is one of the most widely reported safety concerns on the EQS platform. NHTSA data shows that forward collision avoidance complaints dominate EQS owner reports, with the car applying sudden, hard emergency braking at speeds above 70 km/h when nothing is ahead. Incidents have also been reported at low speeds in parking situations. Sensors can misinterpret shadows, overpasses, or roadside objects as collision threats. In documented cases, the emergency brakes engaged with enough force to deploy airbags. Mercedes has not issued a specific recall for this behavior, stating it falls within normal system parameters. Some owners reduce the sensitivity setting from normal to late, though it re-enables at each startup. The 2024+ models with updated sensor calibration show fewer reports, but the issue has not been fully eliminated. While the braking event itself costs nothing, any resulting collision from a following vehicle can be very costly.

The Maybach EQS SUV uses Mercedes AIRMATIC air suspension on all four corners. Known failure modes include leaking air springs (rubber seals become brittle over time, causing hissing and uneven ride height), compressor failure from moisture ingress, and faulty height sensors. A single air spring replacement costs around 1,500-2,000 euros including labor. The compressor runs 1,000-1,500 euros. If multiple components fail together (common as moisture from a failed compressor spreads to air springs), costs can reach 4,000-5,000 euros. On Mercedes models with AIRMATIC, these components typically last 8-12 years or 100,000-150,000 km. Given that the Maybach EQS SUV is very new (2024+), air suspension failures are unlikely during early ownership. However, this represents the single most expensive potential repair as the car ages, and should be considered when buying a used example with higher mileage.

Mercedes recalled 14,912 EQE and EQS vehicles (including 2024-2025 Maybach EQS SUV 680 4MATIC) under KBA recall 012871. The issue stems from continuous diagnostic requests from other control units overloading the battery management system memory. When overloaded, the BMS opens the high-voltage contactors, disconnecting the battery and causing a sudden, unannounced loss of drive power while driving. Mercedes was aware of 17 related reports in the US before filing the recall. The fix is a software update performed at the dealer, which cannot be done over-the-air. Mercedes remedied the issue in production from May 2024. Verify with the VIN that this recall has been completed on any used Maybach EQS SUV. The repair itself is free, but if the battery shuts down while driving, the potential safety consequences are serious.

The EQS platform has over 100 electronic control units drawing standby power. The 12V system can drain completely within one to two weeks of inactivity if the car is not plugged into an AC charger. When the 12V dies, the car cannot be unlocked or started. Replacement of the main 12V battery costs around 400-600 euros including reprogramming into the SAM module. This is considered normal behavior for a vehicle with this level of electronic complexity rather than a defect. A software update has improved 12V charging management on some models. Prevention is straightforward: keep the car plugged in when parked for extended periods. A Maybach that spends weeks sitting on a dealer lot or at an airport parking garage is particularly vulnerable.

Some EQS owners report the car stopping AC charging mid-session, showing charging start errors at public chargers, or DC fast charging speed dropping dramatically. Causes include a faulty temperature sensor on the charging unit that incorrectly detects overheating, onboard charger (AC/DC converter) malfunction, or communication errors between the car and charging infrastructure. The DC connection unit can also fail, specifically preventing DC fast charging while AC still works. The onboard charger module replacement costs around 1,200-2,500 euros. A faulty temperature sensor is cheaper at 300-500 euros. Many charging issues are software-related and resolved by updates. This part is not DIY-replaceable due to high voltages and the need for proprietary Mercedes XENTRY software.

The optional rear-axle steering system (up to 10 degrees on non-AMG models) can lose calibration, triggering a steering fault warning and defaulting to a reduced turning circle. In most cases, the issue is a software glitch in the rear steering control module rather than a mechanical failure. A dealer recalibration using XENTRY resolves the fault in roughly 90% of cases. If the issue recurs after the software update, the rear steering actuator motor may need replacement, which is an expensive repair at 1,000-1,500 euros. Most rear steering faults are covered under warranty during early ownership.

The Maybach EQS SUV features Digital Light headlights with 1.3 million micro-mirrors per unit. When these fail, replacement costs are among the highest of any single component. A standard Mercedes LED headlight already costs over 1,500 euros; the Digital Light system with micro-mirror technology runs 2,500-4,000 euros per headlight including coding and labor. The lens cannot be replaced independently. Failure is rare but has been reported as condensation buildup followed by partial or complete malfunction. Within warranty, this is covered. Outside warranty, it represents one of the most expensive single-item repairs on any production car.