Mercedes-Benz EQS V297
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
The EQS is Mercedes' electric flagship — the S-Class of the EQ world. The lowest drag coefficient of any production car (Cd 0.20), up to 478 miles WLTP range, and an interior that impresses even S-Class owners. Mercedes' answer to what the luxury sedan of the future looks like.
The EQS-EM comes in three levels: 245 kW (EQS 450+) rear-drive with the best range, 385 kW (EQS 580 4MATIC) AWD with brutal acceleration, and 484 kW (AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+) as performance variant. The 107.8 kWh battery achieves up to 478 miles WLTP in the EQS 450+, realistically 340–400 miles — a true long-distance machine. DC charging at up to 200 kW — 15 minutes for 155 miles of range.
The MBUX Hyperscreen spanning the full width is the visual highlight. Rear-axle steering (up to 10 degrees) makes the 17.2-foot sedan surprisingly nimble. Build quality is S-Class level.
Known issues: early software updates (2021-2022) were frequent — MBUX had bugs, range display was imprecise, rear steering needed calibration. Software is now mature. HV battery shows low degradation so far.
Test-drive checklist: Test Hyperscreen completely. Rear-axle steering: test turning circle in a parking garage — should feel like a C-Class. Highway consumption at 80 mph — under 3.2 mi/kWh is good. Test charge curve at a 300 kW charger.
2026 market: Between $60,500 and $132,000. AMG EQS 53 from $99,000. Massive depreciation — the EQS is the poster child for EV value loss. But as a used car, an incredible value proposition.
Insider pick: EQS 450+ (245 kW) as a three-year-old — maximum range, minimum price, and the software is mature now.
Engine Overview
The Mercedes-Benz EQS V297 is available with 3 engine variants — from 333 to 658 hp.
Flagship electric sedan on the EVA2 platform with up to 107.8 kWh battery and up to 780 km WLTP range. Permanent magnet synchronous motors, extremely quiet, air suspension standard. Known issues on early build years (2022–2023): drive dropout from BMS software bug (recall), MBUX Hyperscreen freezes or reboots. Air struts can sag on one corner — outside warranty €1,200–2,500 per unit. The rear-axle steering can lock completely upon fault. OTA updates occasionally corrupted, leaving vehicle undriveable for hours. Model years 2024–2025 noticeably more reliable.
- !! BMS Software Recall — Drive Deactivates Itself
BMS memory overflows with many diagnostic requests and triggers a system reset. 7,558 vehicles affected. Software update at dealer.
Symptoms: Sudden loss of drive without prior warning, numerous warning messages in instrument cluster. - !! Rear-Axle Steering Fails to Calibrate from 30,000 km
The optional rear-axle steering (up to 10°) occasionally needs recalibration. Warning message on display, workshop visit required.
Symptoms: Rear-axle steering warning, steering feels vague, straight-line tracking deteriorates - !! Range Loss After Software Update
After software updates EQS owners report significant range loss. Cause: more conservative BMS parameters following safety updates.
Symptoms: Displayed range at full charge noticeably lower than before the update.
+ 2 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Flagship electric sedan on the EVA2 platform with up to 107.8 kWh battery and up to 780 km WLTP range. Permanent magnet synchronous motors, extremely quiet, air suspension standard. Known issues on early build years (2022–2023): drive dropout from BMS software bug (recall), MBUX Hyperscreen freezes or reboots. Air struts can sag on one corner — outside warranty €1,200–2,500 per unit. The rear-axle steering can lock completely upon fault. OTA updates occasionally corrupted, leaving vehicle undriveable for hours. Model years 2024–2025 noticeably more reliable.
- !! BMS Software Recall — Drive Deactivates Itself
BMS memory overflows with many diagnostic requests and triggers a system reset. 7,558 vehicles affected. Software update at dealer.
Symptoms: Sudden loss of drive without prior warning, numerous warning messages in instrument cluster. - !! Rear-Axle Steering Fails to Calibrate from 30,000 km
The optional rear-axle steering (up to 10°) occasionally needs recalibration. Warning message on display, workshop visit required.
Symptoms: Rear-axle steering warning, steering feels vague, straight-line tracking deteriorates - !! Range Loss After Software Update
After software updates EQS owners report significant range loss. Cause: more conservative BMS parameters following safety updates.
Symptoms: Displayed range at full charge noticeably lower than before the update.
+ 2 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Flagship electric sedan on the EVA2 platform with up to 107.8 kWh battery and up to 780 km WLTP range. Permanent magnet synchronous motors, extremely quiet, air suspension standard. Known issues on early build years (2022–2023): drive dropout from BMS software bug (recall), MBUX Hyperscreen freezes or reboots. Air struts can sag on one corner — outside warranty €1,200–2,500 per unit. The rear-axle steering can lock completely upon fault. OTA updates occasionally corrupted, leaving vehicle undriveable for hours. Model years 2024–2025 noticeably more reliable.
- !! BMS Software Recall — Drive Deactivates Itself
BMS memory overflows with many diagnostic requests and triggers a system reset. 7,558 vehicles affected. Software update at dealer.
Symptoms: Sudden loss of drive without prior warning, numerous warning messages in instrument cluster. - !! Rear-Axle Steering Fails to Calibrate from 30,000 km
The optional rear-axle steering (up to 10°) occasionally needs recalibration. Warning message on display, workshop visit required.
Symptoms: Rear-axle steering warning, steering feels vague, straight-line tracking deteriorates - !! Range Loss After Software Update
After software updates EQS owners report significant range loss. Cause: more conservative BMS parameters following safety updates.
Symptoms: Displayed range at full charge noticeably lower than before the update.
+ 2 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Rear-Axle Steering Calibration Error The rear-axle steering occasionally loses its calibration and must be reset at the workshop. Steering angle restricted until repaired. Symptoms: Rear-axle steering warning, reduced turning circle, straight-line tracking deteriorates from 30,000 km | High |
Test Reports
TÜV Report 2024
The electric full-size saloon shows good results at the first main inspections.
2023-11Top Reported Issues
Alternatives
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Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 14 weaknesses have been documented for the Mercedes-Benz EQS V297 (2021–2026) — 5 engine-related and 9 vehicle-related. Typical issues affect Steering, Electronics, Body, Suspension.
EQS (EQS-EM, 2021–2026) — Be Careful: BMS Software Recall — Drive Deactivates Itself, Rear-Axle Steering Fails to Calibrate, Range Loss After Software Update. Power: 333 PS.
EQS (EQS-EM, 2021–2026) — Be Careful: BMS Software Recall — Drive Deactivates Itself, Rear-Axle Steering Fails to Calibrate, Range Loss After Software Update. Power: 523 PS.
EQS (EQS-EM, 2022–2026) — Be Careful: BMS Software Recall — Drive Deactivates Itself, Rear-Axle Steering Fails to Calibrate, Range Loss After Software Update. Power: 658 PS.
What to watch out for with the Mercedes-Benz EQS? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee