450+ died: "Drive system malfunction"
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 142
Likes: 37
EQS 450+
450+ died: "Drive system malfunction"
I had a nice, long 4 hour visit to the donut shop yesterday. After returning back to my car with a box of brunch-time donuts, the car refused to turn on, reporting a "Drive system malfunction". I had to wait several hours for Mercedes roadside assistance to find a tow-truck to make matters worse.
The car was working fine when I parked. However, just as I entered the parking lot, the car did bottom out on a swell at the mouth of the lot. So much for the intelligent, road-sensing air suspension doing its job. Maybe just coincidence? Another issue popped up after about 20 minutes, the alert to charge the 12V battery. I have my fingers crossed that this is the source of the problem.
Has anyone experienced anything like this with their EQS? A google search doesn't lead to any real hits related to Mercedes.
The car was working fine when I parked. However, just as I entered the parking lot, the car did bottom out on a swell at the mouth of the lot. So much for the intelligent, road-sensing air suspension doing its job. Maybe just coincidence? Another issue popped up after about 20 minutes, the alert to charge the 12V battery. I have my fingers crossed that this is the source of the problem.
Has anyone experienced anything like this with their EQS? A google search doesn't lead to any real hits related to Mercedes.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 142
Likes: 37
EQS 450+
You can read more about the air suspension here.
You know, now reading through it again more carefully, I think I inferred things that were not actually implied. They talking about intelligent dampening, keeping a level height, sensors, etc, but not in a holistic manner. They talk about going over a bump, but only in that the dampeners keep the shock from going to the other wheels. They talk about adjusting height, but primarily based on speed or weight of the occupants.
I think one of the major benefits of air suspension for other cars is the driver being able to control the height manually, often important when trying to prevent a car from bottoming out while leaving a driveway or parking lot. Mercedes has even had that ability in other models but didn't bother with the EQS.
Still no word from the dealership, but my fingers are crossed that recharging the 12V battery will resolve the issue.
You know, now reading through it again more carefully, I think I inferred things that were not actually implied. They talking about intelligent dampening, keeping a level height, sensors, etc, but not in a holistic manner. They talk about going over a bump, but only in that the dampeners keep the shock from going to the other wheels. They talk about adjusting height, but primarily based on speed or weight of the occupants.
I think one of the major benefits of air suspension for other cars is the driver being able to control the height manually, often important when trying to prevent a car from bottoming out while leaving a driveway or parking lot. Mercedes has even had that ability in other models but didn't bother with the EQS.
Still no word from the dealership, but my fingers are crossed that recharging the 12V battery will resolve the issue.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,499
Likes: 335
From: Europe
223.168 & 213.012 & 906.633 & 214.005
Did EQS still have the "fully raised" state for towing the car onto a flatbed or tow truck? Too difficult to use for normal parking (cannot be used at speed) but might save the the car floor at some rare bumps if noticed in advance and no other traffic behind.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 142
Likes: 37
EQS 450+
There was an older thread about the inability to raise or lower the suspension. Someone pointed out in the manual where the setting is supposed to be, but others were unable to find it. Some theorized maybe the option was maybe removed in the US for the EPA range.
Trending Topics
Member
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 88
Likes: 11
EQS 450+
I had a nice, long 4 hour visit to the donut shop yesterday. After returning back to my car with a box of brunch-time donuts, the car refused to turn on, reporting a "Drive system malfunction". I had to wait several hours for Mercedes roadside assistance to find a tow-truck to make matters worse.
The car was working fine when I parked. However, just as I entered the parking lot, the car did bottom out on a swell at the mouth of the lot. So much for the intelligent, road-sensing air suspension doing its job. Maybe just coincidence? Another issue popped up after about 20 minutes, the alert to charge the 12V battery. I have my fingers crossed that this is the source of the problem.
Has anyone experienced anything like this with their EQS? A google search doesn't lead to any real hits related to Mercedes.
The car was working fine when I parked. However, just as I entered the parking lot, the car did bottom out on a swell at the mouth of the lot. So much for the intelligent, road-sensing air suspension doing its job. Maybe just coincidence? Another issue popped up after about 20 minutes, the alert to charge the 12V battery. I have my fingers crossed that this is the source of the problem.
Has anyone experienced anything like this with their EQS? A google search doesn't lead to any real hits related to Mercedes.
Unfortunately, it was not fixable via over the air update but required a visit to the dealer.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 142
Likes: 37
EQS 450+
When did you get your EQS? There was a recall a few months ago that affected the first 1700 cars in production that required a software update at the dealer for this very issue. My car was also bricked early on (maybe in January 2022) with a system malfunction, but fixed itself after an hour. At the time the dealer could not replicate the issue, but turns out there was an issue with the software of some of the first cars built that they have since rectified.
Unfortunately, it was not fixable via over the air update but required a visit to the dealer.
Unfortunately, it was not fixable via over the air update but required a visit to the dealer.
The car was just at the dealership for the tow hook recall, they were supposed to look for other recalls at the time, too. I will bring this up. Do you happen to have a recall notice I can refer to?
Member
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 88
Likes: 11
EQS 450+
I got mine early February - while you could still get the Hyperscreen on the 450+. I finally received some word from the dealership and it's not looking good. The 12V is entirely dead and even after it is jumped the high voltage battery has issues. They are going to try to figure it out. The problem with the EQS is that there are so few trained repair techs.
The car was just at the dealership for the tow hook recall, they were supposed to look for other recalls at the time, too. I will bring this up. Do you happen to have a recall notice I can refer to?
The car was just at the dealership for the tow hook recall, they were supposed to look for other recalls at the time, too. I will bring this up. Do you happen to have a recall notice I can refer to?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 1,513
Likes: 508
From: Westchester, NY
2014 Mercedes E350 4matic Wagon, 2018 Fiat 124 Spyder Lusso manual, 2005 Acura TSX manual
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,524
Likes: 1,181
From: WI
17 E43; 21 GLS580
I had a nice, long 4 hour visit to the donut shop yesterday. After returning back to my car with a box of brunch-time donuts, the car refused to turn on, reporting a "Drive system malfunction". I had to wait several hours for Mercedes roadside assistance to find a tow-truck to make matters worse.
The car was working fine when I parked. However, just as I entered the parking lot, the car did bottom out on a swell at the mouth of the lot. So much for the intelligent, road-sensing air suspension doing its job. Maybe just coincidence? Another issue popped up after about 20 minutes, the alert to charge the 12V battery. I have my fingers crossed that this is the source of the problem.
Has anyone experienced anything like this with their EQS? A google search doesn't lead to any real hits related to Mercedes.
The car was working fine when I parked. However, just as I entered the parking lot, the car did bottom out on a swell at the mouth of the lot. So much for the intelligent, road-sensing air suspension doing its job. Maybe just coincidence? Another issue popped up after about 20 minutes, the alert to charge the 12V battery. I have my fingers crossed that this is the source of the problem.
Has anyone experienced anything like this with their EQS? A google search doesn't lead to any real hits related to Mercedes.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 142
Likes: 37
EQS 450+
Talking to the service rep, it sounds like they applied that recall patch the other week when it was in for the tow hook recall, so maybe it's the firmware patch that caused it. But one of the other thoughts we are exploring is if my aftermarket dashcam or mobile hotspot drained the battery too much. I am doubtful it's the aftermarket devices, because I would have expected the 12V warning when I first got in the car that day, not after 20 minutes of driving and parking for 5 minutes. If anything, if there were a drain, the driving should have recharged at least partially.
One thing to complain about compared to Tesla, at least my dealership, if they are out of loaners, you have to find your own transportation while the car is in the shop. Tesla would pay to put you in a rental if they were out of loaners.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 31,277
Likes: 3,916
From: on my way
2012 CLS63
@SirNH, I don't know when you last had a Tesla but they no longer provide loaners at most of their service centers. They will offer you a Uber ride home.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 142
Likes: 37
EQS 450+
@SirNH, I don't know when you last had a Tesla but they no longer provide loaners at most of their service centers. They will offer you a Uber ride home.
BUT, it was also a brand new Model S - maybe because it was new, maybe because it was a Model S? But I was always put into a loaner or rental if the vehicle was going to be there overnight or longer.Mercedes will put me into a loaner as long as I can make an appointment far enough in advance for them to schedule a loaner - I won't fault them for that, it's just that usually means scheduling service a couple of weeks in advance.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 142
Likes: 37
EQS 450+
I totally missed out on the Halloween easter egg!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 142
Likes: 37
EQS 450+
3 weeks down... still no resolution even with the assistance of the engineers back in Germany. They ruled out damage caused by the car bottoming out. They are almost at the point where they are ready to order a new battery.
My service rep at the dealership has been really great, and so I want to allow them time to try this - even if it will take time to ship a battery from Germany. If that doesn't work, I am afraid I will have to claim a lemon - which really sucks. Tesla bought back my 2021 Model S earlier this year due to unsolvable electrical issues, too.
My service rep at the dealership has been really great, and so I want to allow them time to try this - even if it will take time to ship a battery from Germany. If that doesn't work, I am afraid I will have to claim a lemon - which really sucks. Tesla bought back my 2021 Model S earlier this year due to unsolvable electrical issues, too.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 287
Likes: 74
From: Colorado
2004 W240 Maybach 57
After being stranded by a flat 12V in my Prius, I learned of this NOCO backup battery and it has already saved me one additional time. After a simple hookup to the 12V in the car, I was back on the road in a matter of seconds.
I know for sure you never want to use traditional jumper cables to revive a Hybrid/EV from another conventional vehicle. But these backup packs are super safe and won't allow reversed connections or other anomalies to fry your electronics.
Last edited by SilberGrau57; Nov 14, 2022 at 07:29 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 4,524
Likes: 1,181
From: WI
17 E43; 21 GLS580
3 weeks down... still no resolution even with the assistance of the engineers back in Germany. They ruled out damage caused by the car bottoming out. They are almost at the point where they are ready to order a new battery.
My service rep at the dealership has been really great, and so I want to allow them time to try this - even if it will take time to ship a battery from Germany. If that doesn't work, I am afraid I will have to claim a lemon - which really sucks. Tesla bought back my 2021 Model S earlier this year due to unsolvable electrical issues, too.
My service rep at the dealership has been really great, and so I want to allow them time to try this - even if it will take time to ship a battery from Germany. If that doesn't work, I am afraid I will have to claim a lemon - which really sucks. Tesla bought back my 2021 Model S earlier this year due to unsolvable electrical issues, too.
