G580 drivetrain issues at less than 1,000 Miles

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Feb 26, 2025 | 09:33 AM
  #1  
The other day when trying to go for a drive, our G580 with about 900 miles on the odometer started making loud banging noises from the rear axle and switched itself to neutral. Every time I put it in gear, it would drive for a few feet then make the same noises and switch to neutral. When this happened the car displayed several warnings:

- Stop Switch Off Vehicle
- Inoperative. See operator's manual
- Performance Extremely Limited

Switched the car off for a few minutes then went back to see if the problem would get resolved after full shutdown. Surprisingly it did, the errors disappeared and the car drove normally. However, I started noticing a clicking noise at around 12 Mph when the car is slowing down. Not wanting to take any chances and risk getting stranded somewhere, I had the car towed to Mercedes-Benz for them to look at it.

They had the car for a week, and were able to see the excessive drivetrain errors related to module communication loss and the high-voltage system. They updated the software on all 4 motors, inspected the drivetrain and returned the car stating all is well.

However, it turns out the clicking noise when slowing down is still present. Before sending the car back to service, I was hoping someone with a G580 could confirm:

Do you hear what sounds like two loud clicks from the rear axle at about 12 Mph when slowing down from any speed over 20 Mph? This only happens in "Comfort" mode and is not heard in "Sport" or "Trail" mode. Maybe this noise was there all along and I just noticed it now after the initial issue, but I’d like to verify whether this is normal before involving service again.

If you own a G580, I’d really appreciate your input!
Reply 1
Feb 26, 2025 | 10:53 AM
  #2  
Quote: The other day when trying to go for a drive, our G580 with about 900 miles on the odometer started making loud banging noises from the rear axle and switched itself to neutral. Every time I put it in gear, it would drive for a few feet then make the same noises and switch to neutral. When this happened the car displayed several warnings:

- Stop Switch Off Vehicle
- Inoperative. See operator's manual
- Performance Extremely Limited

Switched the car off for a few minutes then went back to see if the problem would get resolved after full shutdown. Surprisingly it did, the errors disappeared and the car drove normally. However, I started noticing a clicking noise at around 12 Mph when the car is slowing down. Not wanting to take any chances and risk getting stranded somewhere, I had the car towed to Mercedes-Benz for them to look at it.

They had the car for a week, and were able to see the excessive drivetrain errors related to module communication loss and the high-voltage system. They updated the software on all 4 motors, inspected the drivetrain and returned the car stating all is well.

However, it turns out the clicking noise when slowing down is still present. Before sending the car back to service, I was hoping someone with a G580 could confirm:

Do you hear what sounds like two loud clicks from the rear axle at about 12 Mph when slowing down from any speed over 20 Mph? This only happens in "Comfort" mode and is not heard in "Sport" or "Trail" mode. Maybe this noise was there all along and I just noticed it now after the initial issue, but I’d like to verify whether this is normal before involving service again.

If you own a G580, I’d really appreciate your input!
Haven't hear this reported yet, perhaps a software update might fix it?
Reply 2
Feb 26, 2025 | 01:50 PM
  #3  
2100 miles here… have not had this issue
Reply 2
Feb 26, 2025 | 10:11 PM
  #4  
What year is the vehicle?

2025-580, 1000 miles, no issues.



Reply 0
Apr 5, 2025 | 01:10 PM
  #5  
Having the same exact issue with the 3 messages. Will upload photos later. Sitting in Mercedes service right now as they run some tests.

2025 G580 delivered in December; car has just over 2k miles.

I have not heard the clicking noise, but this just happened 45 minutes ago so I will update if I experience it down the road.

I also turned off the car, lock / unlock, and then magically it worked.

Luckily, I was a mile from the dealership. So drove straight there.

Sigh - are you still having issues?



Reply 1
Apr 5, 2025 | 07:21 PM
  #6  
Wife G580 with less than 300 miles. Bought on Saturday, towed to dealer on Wednesday, returned to us on Friday. Towed back to dealership Saturday. First episode the car froze up with all kinds of warnings. Danger type warnings. Car would not drive at all. Shop said it was a software issue. Supposedly the uploaded a correction. Dealer says there have been this problem on several 580s. On issue was cited a a communication problem. Car was returned on Friday. On Saturday, more warnings, including red notice "See operators manual", and "Have High Voltage System Checked. See Operator's manual. She has had the car seven days, so far the it has been in the shop 4 days and counting.
Reply 0
Apr 5, 2025 | 11:24 PM
  #7  
Quote: Having the same exact issue with the 3 messages. Will upload photos later. Sitting in Mercedes service right now as they run some tests.
2025 G580 delivered in December; car has just over 2k miles.
I have not heard the clicking noise, but this just happened 45 minutes ago so I will update if I experience it down the road.
I also turned off the car, lock / unlock, and then magically it worked.
Luckily, I was a mile from the dealership. So drove straight there.
Sigh - are you still having issues?
Here's a photo collage of the 3 errors I was getting.
Dealership's GM and service manager were very responsive, once I got on site.
They initially diagnosed it as a software issue, so said they needed about an hour to run updates.
Apparently, the software updates didn't take, so they'll have my car til Monday (or longer???). Anyway, they set me up with a good loaner, and I said just fix the problem once and for all.
The mechanic/tech was able to re-create the issues; as he tried to park, the car kept having errors and switching into neutral.
Hoping that the software updates just fix this all. I will update. Others please update if you have fixes too. Good luck all

PS I actually prefer the drive of the 2025 G580 more than my wife's 2024 G63 (nice pickup + tech, albeit it's somewhat an unfair comparison as the '24s have the old tech / door mechanics).
PPS Yes, I'm a long term lurker and created an account given this issue






Reply 1
Apr 6, 2025 | 04:50 AM
  #8  
I’ve come across a bunch of similar threads to this about the G580. Seems the engineers underestimated what they were up against turning the G electric. I’m sure the boys in Graz aren’t to happy about their beloved hand built masterpieces that are usually bulletproof being turned electric and having so many issues!
Reply 0

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Apr 6, 2025 | 09:25 AM
  #9  
Quote: I’ve come across a bunch of similar threads to this about the G580. Seems the engineers underestimated what they were up against turning the G electric. I’m sure the boys in Graz aren’t to happy about their beloved hand built masterpieces that are usually bulletproof being turned electric and having so many issues!
Guess it is one of those first model year issues.
Reply 0
Apr 6, 2025 | 10:10 AM
  #10  
Quote: I’ve come across a bunch of similar threads to this about the G580. Seems the engineers underestimated what they were up against turning the G electric. I’m sure the boys in Graz aren’t to happy about their beloved hand built masterpieces that are usually bulletproof being turned electric and having so many issues!
Especialy since Magna builds the motors for the G580 as well as assembling the final product (https://www.designnews.com/automotiv...ric-drivetrain).
How many owners are so anxious to tank-turn that they try it in their paved cul-de-sac?
Reply 0
Apr 6, 2025 | 10:14 AM
  #11  
Quote: Especialy since Magna builds the motors for the G580 as well as assembling the final product (https://www.designnews.com/automotiv...ric-drivetrain).
How many owners are so anxious to tank-turn that they try it in their paved cul-de-sac?
https://mbworld.org/forums/g-class-e...tructions.html
Reply 0
Apr 6, 2025 | 11:16 AM
  #12  
Quote: https://mbworld.org/forums/g-class-e...tructions.html
I bungee jump for an adrenaline boost.
Reply 0
Apr 6, 2025 | 11:45 AM
  #13  
Quote: I bungee jump for an adrenaline boost.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aS0l8oqMR-4
Sounds fun.
Reply 0
Apr 7, 2025 | 12:09 AM
  #14  
Quote: Especialy since Magna builds the motors for the G580 as well as assembling the final product (https://www.designnews.com/automotiv...ric-drivetrain).
How many owners are so anxious to tank-turn that they try it in their paved cul-de-sac?

Has anyone figured out how to get into service mode, or get the software version running on the many systems in the 580? More interested RTOS and subsystems for information reasons.

--A
Reply 0
Apr 7, 2025 | 09:22 AM
  #15  
Quote: Has anyone figured out how to get into service mode, or get the software version running on the many systems in the 580? More interested RTOS and subsystems for information reasons.

--A
Should be the same as other MBUX 2, NTG 7 vehicles:
Reply 1
Apr 9, 2025 | 11:41 AM
  #16  
Quote: Here's a photo collage of the 3 errors I was getting.
Dealership's GM and service manager were very responsive, once I got on site.
They initially diagnosed it as a software issue, so said they needed about an hour to run updates.
Apparently, the software updates didn't take, so they'll have my car til Monday (or longer???). Anyway, they set me up with a good loaner, and I said just fix the problem once and for all.
The mechanic/tech was able to re-create the issues; as he tried to park, the car kept having errors and switching into neutral.
Hoping that the software updates just fix this all. I will update. Others please update if you have fixes too. Good luck all

PS I actually prefer the drive of the 2025 G580 more than my wife's 2024 G63 (nice pickup + tech, albeit it's somewhat an unfair comparison as the '24s have the old tech / door mechanics).
PPS Yes, I'm a long term lurker and created an account given this issue


FYI received the car back Monday. All software updated. No issues thus far.
Reply 0
Apr 9, 2025 | 12:45 PM
  #17  
Quote: FYI received the car back Monday. All software updated. No issues thus far.
Glad to hear it was just a software issue, also what we suspected.
Reply 0
Apr 9, 2025 | 01:07 PM
  #18  
My wife's 580. Similar warnings and freezing up. Got car 11 days ago. Has been in dealership 8 days of the 11. Kinda takes the joy of getting a new car. Still in shop citing communication and software issues.
Reply 0
Apr 9, 2025 | 01:38 PM
  #19  
Quote: My wife's 580. Similar warnings and freezing up. Got car 11 days ago. Has been in dealership 8 days of the 11. Kinda takes the joy of getting a new car. Still in shop citing communication and software issues.
Software Software! Get everything up-to-date and you should be good to go.
Reply 0
Apr 11, 2025 | 11:37 AM
  #20  
Quote: Software Software! Get everything up-to-date and you should be good to go.
Wonder what the software version was? Likely embedded systems firmware. Anyone finds out, please shout it from the hill tops!
Reply 0
Apr 11, 2025 | 01:04 PM
  #21  
Quote: Wonder what the software version was? Likely embedded systems firmware. Anyone finds out, please shout it from the hill tops!
The best course of action is to get the dealership scan the vehicle and update various control modules. That said, I too am curious what software fixes the issue.
Reply 0
Apr 12, 2025 | 06:48 PM
  #22  
Quote: The best course of action is to get the dealership scan the vehicle and update various control modules. That said, I too am curious what software fixes the issue.
And there it is… car has 1620 miles and decided to display all three messages today. Tried lock unlock did not work.

Contemplating tow or drive options if I get it working again. I did hear a single click coming from under the vehicle.

Reply 0
Apr 12, 2025 | 07:02 PM
  #23  
Quote: And there it is… car has 1620 miles and decided to display all three messages today. Tried lock unlock did not work.

Contemplating tow or drive options if I get it working again. I did hear a single click coming from under the vehicle.
They didn't update the modules last visit?
Reply 0
Apr 12, 2025 | 08:00 PM
  #24  
Quote: They didn't update the modules last visit?
A few weeks ago, the service advisor scanned the car and confirmed there were no open recalls.



Fast forward to today: the car had been driven all day without any issues. It was about 100 degrees outside—not that I think that’s relevant—and the battery was at 59% charge. I parked, went into a store, and when I came back, the car wouldn’t start. The following messages were displayed:


  • Stop Switch Off Vehicle
  • Inoperative. See Operator’s Manual
  • Performance Extremely Limited
I got out, locked and unlocked the car, and tried again. Same issue. I repeated this process three times—still no luck.



Finally, after locking the car and waiting about 10 minutes, it cleared all error messages and started up as if nothing had happened. No strange noises or clicking. I drove around the parking lot to make sure everything felt normal, then decided to take it to Mercedes.



No one in service was available at the time, but they took the car and told me to come back on Monday.



At this point, I’m half-joking about calling a congressman and getting the NTSB on a three-way call. If this issue hasn’t happened to all the G580s yet, it seems like it’s only a matter of time.
Reply 0
Apr 12, 2025 | 08:04 PM
  #25  
Quote: A few weeks ago, the service advisor scanned the car and confirmed there were no open recalls.



Fast forward to today: the car had been driven all day without any issues. It was about 100 degrees outside—not that I think that’s relevant—and the battery was at 59% charge. I parked, went into a store, and when I came back, the car wouldn’t start. The following messages were displayed:
  • Stop Switch Off Vehicle
  • Inoperative. See Operator’s Manual
  • Performance Extremely Limited
I got out, locked and unlocked the car, and tried again. Same issue. I repeated this process three times—still no luck.



Finally, after locking the car and waiting about 10 minutes, it cleared all error messages and started up as if nothing had happened. No strange noises or clicking. I drove around the parking lot to make sure everything felt normal, then decided to take it to Mercedes.



No one in service was available at the time, but they took the car and told me to come back on Monday.



At this point, I’m half-joking about calling a congressman and getting the NTSB on a three-way call. If this issue hasn’t happened to all the G580s yet, it seems like it’s only a matter of time.
Recalls are not the same as software updates though. If they brush you off, it might be because they don't want your business, I mean, it is time consuming to install all those updates and they have to have a good reason to report back to MB so they can get paid the time. Tell them vehicle is doing all those things and your friend had it resolved with several module updates, although not sure which one, let them look into it. If they are not willing to help, try another MB dealership.
Reply 0
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