If you’re eyeing a 2023 Mercedes EQB, whether as a stylish family hauler or your first luxury EV, you’ve probably also heard whispers about 2023 Mercedes EQB problems. Battery recalls, glitchy screens, and mixed owner reviews can make it hard to tell whether you’re getting a gem or a headache.
Where the 2023 EQB Stands
Is the 2023 Mercedes EQB Problematic? A Quick Overview
What’s going right:
- Many owners report smooth, quiet driving and premium comfort.
- No widespread reports of motors or gearboxes failing.
- Size and packaging work well for small families and city driving.
What’s causing concern:
- High‑voltage battery recalls related to fire risk and hardware defects.
- Scattered reports of coolant alerts and warning lights in the first year of ownership.
- MBUX screens that flicker, freeze, or go blank until restarted or repaired.
Big Picture on Reliability
Problem Hotspots Reported on 2023 EQB
High-Voltage Battery & Recall Problems
The most serious 2023 Mercedes EQB problems are tied to its high‑voltage battery. This isn’t about a little range loss over time; we’re talking about safety‑related recalls and the potential for fires or sudden loss of power if defects go unchecked.
- Certain 2022–2024 EQBs, including 2023 models, are recalled over a high‑voltage battery defect that can, in rare cases, lead to internal short circuits and fire risk.
- Owners of affected vehicles are instructed to park outside, away from structures, and limit charging to around 80% until the battery is repaired or replaced.
- Another recall on some 2022–2023 EQB 300 and 350 models cites incorrectly secured bus bars inside the high‑voltage battery that can cause a sudden loss of drive power without warning.
Why This Matters for a Used Buyer
Battery & Recall Checks Before You Sign
1. Run the VIN through official recall tools
Ask the seller for the VIN and check it with official recall lookup tools. Confirm the car is either not affected or that every open campaign shows as "remedy completed."
2. Ask for documentation of recall work
Request service invoices or recall completion letters that show battery or battery‑management work has been performed, not just promised.
3. Confirm current charge limits in writing
If the seller mentions the car is "limited to 80%" or "can’t be fast‑charged right now," that’s a red flag. Get clarity from a Mercedes dealer before moving forward.
4. Look for battery warning history
On a test drive, pay attention to any high‑voltage battery or drive system warnings. Ask the seller directly about past alerts, tows, or "won’t start" episodes.
Drivability: Loss of Power and Warning Lights
Beyond recalls, a slice of 2023 EQB owners report drivability issues that range from nuisance warnings to cars that simply refuse to move. Many of these are tied back to the high‑voltage system or coolant management, but when you’re stranded, the cause doesn’t matter as much as the tow truck ETA.
Common Drivability Complaints on the 2023 EQB
What owners describe, in plain language
Coolant Alerts for the Battery
Multiple owners note persistent coolant level or coolant system warnings on relatively new EQBs. Sometimes it’s a simple sensor or leak; sometimes it leads to extended dealer visits.
"Vehicle Will Not Restart"
In more serious cases, owners describe seeing a drive system or battery alert and then being unable to shift into gear or restart the car without a tow.
Repeat Shop Visits
Some unlucky drivers cycle through coolant fixes, sensor replacements, and software updates before the car finally settles down, or they give up on the lease.
Test-Drive Tip
Software, MBUX & Screen Glitches
The 2023 EQB shares its MBUX infotainment system with other modern Mercedes models. That’s good for slick graphics and strong voice control, but it also means it inherits some of the software gremlins owners complain about across the brand.
- Digital instrument cluster and central screen flickering or going fully blank until the car is restarted.
- MBUX freezing, dropping Bluetooth or CarPlay connections, or ignoring touch/voice inputs for stretches of a drive.
- Over‑the‑air updates that fail partway, get "stuck" at a certain percentage, or require a dealer visit to finish.
- Mercedes Me app showing wrong lock status, missing vehicle status, or refusing to communicate with the car after an update.
Is It Annoying or a Dealbreaker?
How to Vet a 2023 EQB’s Tech on a Short Visit
1. Cold-boot the car
Start the EQB after it’s been sitting. Watch how quickly the screens wake up and whether any of them flicker, lag, or stay black.
2. Exercise every screen
Tap through navigation, audio, phone, settings, and EV menus. Try voice commands and steering‑wheel controls. Laggy or unresponsive screens may point to software or hardware issues.
3. Pair your phone
Connect via Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto if available. Play music, take a call, and switch apps. Drops and glitches are a clue to ask about past updates.
4. Ask about recent software updates
Ask the seller when the last MBUX and battery‑management updates were performed and whether updates have ever failed or required a dealer rescue.
Charging, Range & Cold-Weather Complaints
Even when everything’s working correctly, some owners feel the 2023 EQB’s real‑world range is on the modest side, especially in cold climates. That’s partly physics, smallish battery, upright SUV body, and partly expectations set by long‑range Teslas and Hyundais.
- Owners report noticeably lower winter range, especially on short trips where the car is constantly reheating the cabin and battery.
- On cars affected by battery recalls, temporary 80% charge limits further squeeze usable range until the fix is completed.
- Some public DC fast chargers don’t play nicely with every EQB, requiring a second try or a different station, an issue shared with other non‑Tesla EVs.
Living With an EQB in Winter
Build Quality: Hardware, Leaks & Noises
Mechanically, the 2023 EQB hasn’t attracted waves of complaints about motors or suspensions falling apart. But like many compact luxury SUVs, it does get dinged for nuisance build‑quality issues that feel out of character for a premium badge.
Less Serious, But Still Annoying EQB Issues
Things owners mention but don’t always show up on spec sheets
Minor Fluid & Coolant Leaks
Some owners report recurring coolant warnings or small leaks that take multiple dealer visits to fully address.
Rattles & Squeaks
Interior squeaks, especially from seats or the cargo area, pop up in a slice of owner reviews, more irritating than dangerous.
Wind & Road Noise
Compared with some rivals, the EQB can feel a bit noisier on the highway, in part due to its boxier GLB roots.
Good News on Wear Items
Long-Term Reliability & Ownership Costs
Long‑term reliability data on the 2023 EQB is still coming into focus. What we do know is that the model’s problem areas are concentrated in software and high‑voltage hardware, not the basic mechanical bits. That’s good news for long‑term durability, but it means you should pay close attention to updates and recall history.
- Battery and software recalls are generally fixed free of charge at Mercedes dealers, but the car might be out of service for days or weeks.
- Out‑of‑warranty MBUX hardware, screens, control units, can be expensive, so you want evidence that early glitches were corrected under warranty.
- Routine maintenance (tires, cabin filters, brake fluid) is similar to other luxury compact SUVs, and brake wear is often lower than on gas models thanks to regen.
Depreciation Creates Opportunity
Checklist Before You Buy a Used 2023 EQB
If you like the way the EQB drives and the packaging works for your life, don’t let forum horror stories scare you off. Use them as a shopping checklist. Here’s how to separate a good 2023 EQB from a problem‑child in an afternoon.
2023 EQB Used-Buyer Checklist
1. Verify all open recalls are completed
Ask for the VIN, run it through official recall lookup tools, and confirm that campaigns involving the high‑voltage battery and battery management software show as remedied, not "pending."
2. Get a battery health and HV system report
A standard pre‑purchase inspection isn’t enough for an EV. You want a <strong>high‑voltage battery health report</strong>, including state of health (SOH), error codes, and charge history if available.
3. Demand complete service history
Look for repeat visits for coolant alerts, no‑start conditions, or MBUX failures. One early fix is understandable; a stack of repeated complaints is a sign to walk.
4. Test charging at Level 2 and DC fast
If possible, plug the EQB into a home‑style Level 2 and a public DC fast charger. Confirm it charges past 80% (unless there’s an active recall limitation) and that the charge session doesn’t drop unexpectedly.
5. Stress-test the tech
On your test drive, exercise both screens, the backup camera, driver‑assist systems, and phone integration. Any flickering, freezing, or warning messages should be addressed before you negotiate price.
6. Check for water ingress and interior wear
Inspect door seals, the cargo area, and around the panoramic roof for signs of moisture or staining. Inside, listen for rattles over rough pavement and check that seat adjustments and fold‑flat mechanisms work smoothly.
How Recharged Helps You Shop a Used EQB Safely
Because the 2023 EQB’s biggest risks hide in software, recall status, and the high‑voltage battery, buying one "off a lot" without extra scrutiny can feel like a gamble. This is exactly the kind of situation Recharged was built for.
What Recharged Adds When You’re Considering a Used 2023 EQB
Making a complex EV purchase feel boring, in the best possible way
Recharged Score Battery Diagnostics
Every EQB listed on Recharged comes with a Recharged Score Report that includes verified high‑voltage battery health, so you’re not guessing about degradation or hidden faults.
Recall & Service Transparency
We verify recall completion status and review service history where available, flagging patterns like repeated coolant alerts or drive‑system warnings before you ever schedule a test drive.
Financing, Trade-In & Delivery
Recharged offers EV‑friendly financing, trade‑in or instant offers, and nationwide delivery. Our EV specialists walk you through how the EQB will fit your driving patterns, charging setup, and budget.
Try Before You Commit
2023 Mercedes EQB Problems: FAQ
Common Questions About 2023 Mercedes EQB Problems
The 2023 Mercedes EQB is a handsome, practical compact EV with a genuinely upscale feel, but it’s also a first‑generation electric experiment from a legacy brand, and that shows up in its problems. If you take the time to chase down recall history, test the tech, and verify battery health, you can land on the right side of the equation: quiet, comfortable electric luxury without inheriting someone else’s headaches.
