View Poll Results: Has anyone had this same type of problem?
Voters: 32. You may not vote on this poll
48-volt battery
Senior Member
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 338
Likes: 101
From: Shaker Heights, Ohio
2021 E450 All Terrain Wagon
I should add that the the member originally posting on "48 volt battery problem? Check in here." is trying to create a single site where everyone who has experienced a 48v battery failure can register, with the end goal of having a single clearinghouse. However, that may be like herding cats.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 630
Likes: 177
From: SW Ontario Canada
2020 GLS580, 2023 Corvette Z06
Important that every 48V failure gets reported to the NHTSA for USA and Transport Canada for Canadians or there may never be an official MB recall.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 338
Likes: 101
From: Shaker Heights, Ohio
2021 E450 All Terrain Wagon
Good suggestion. I have just reported my incidents with the NHTSA. While my car was, fortunately, at home when the failures occurred, they could have happened anywhere, including in the middle of a highway, or in the middle of nowhere in dangerous weather. Being apprehensive of those types of conditions, I actually cancelled a road trip from Ohio to Florida, opting to fly instead.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 338
Likes: 101
From: Shaker Heights, Ohio
2021 E450 All Terrain Wagon
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 791
Likes: 412
From: Fredericksburg, VA
2020 Mercedes GLE350 4Matic; 2023 Tesla Model Y
The 48 Battery SOC is computer controlled. So don't underestimate the power to software to screw things up, or to preemptively shut things down if the sensors and code thinks there is a problem.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 7,018
Likes: 2,199
From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
I have an associated question.
It's my impression that most (all?) Lithium Ion batteries have their own internal charging software. Can a M-B software update also update the battery internal algorithms? Does it need to? Can they compete?
I would think that they run independently of each other, so you could buy any battery that fits the spec and it would work. I hope.
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Super Member
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 791
Likes: 412
From: Fredericksburg, VA
2020 Mercedes GLE350 4Matic; 2023 Tesla Model Y
I agree. The only time engines used to shut down was when they ran out of gas. My, how times have changed!
I have an associated question.
It's my impression that most (all?) Lithium Ion batteries have their own internal charging software. Can a M-B software update also update the battery internal algorithms? Does it need to? Can they compete?
I would think that they run independently of each other, so you could buy any battery that fits the spec and it would work. I hope.
I have an associated question.
It's my impression that most (all?) Lithium Ion batteries have their own internal charging software. Can a M-B software update also update the battery internal algorithms? Does it need to? Can they compete?
I would think that they run independently of each other, so you could buy any battery that fits the spec and it would work. I hope.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 3,391
Likes: 1,040
From: Boise
2024 GMC Canyon Denali..... 2018 Audi SQ5
Logically one would think that they designed the system to program the battery Controller from the OBD port but….
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 630
Likes: 177
From: SW Ontario Canada
2020 GLS580, 2023 Corvette Z06
Need a 48V Voltage Gage
We have said it before, but just in case MB is checking these comments WE SHOULD HAVE A VOLTAGE GAGE THAT MEASURES THE 48v BATTERY STATE OF CHARGE ETC. We could prevent some of these emergency situations potentially and make our 48v batteries less problematic.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 338
Likes: 101
From: Shaker Heights, Ohio
2021 E450 All Terrain Wagon
Absolutely! And I do hope someone from M-B is monitoring this site because too many dealers are acting like it's a big surprise when the 48v fails.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 645
Likes: 204
From: Central Indiana
2021 GLC 300 4Matic
Senior Member
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 338
Likes: 101
From: Shaker Heights, Ohio
2021 E450 All Terrain Wagon
I've been following the 48v battery threads pretty much from the outset. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to detect a pattern. My first battery died at less than 200 miles but I've seen other cars with similar build dates (April 2021) die even after 5,000 miles.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 3,391
Likes: 1,040
From: Boise
2024 GMC Canyon Denali..... 2018 Audi SQ5
There are two part numbers for the 48 volt listed previously on this Forum. After my replacement battery was installed I made a trip to talk to the Dealer Service Manager. He told me that along with the replacement battery that he also installed a software update “that would keep it from having a similar failure again”…his words. I asked about the 48 volt battery again at 10k service and he said that there have been no similar failures with the replacement battery. I trust his word…he’s a no BS, no excuses type of person with several “top 5” Mercedes awards from training seminars. In hindsight, I wish I had asked more questions about the reason for the failure.
My assumption is that Mercedes had a battery fix sometime in Q1 2020 but batteries were in short supply and take some time to build in sufficient numbers for new builds and as replacements for failed ones. During the transition in Q2,Q3 2020 they apparently continued to use some of the problematic batteries. My May 2020 48 volt replacement battery has 6 months and 7k miles now. My 2020 GLE 450 is 2 1/2 years old and has not had any battery issue to date. The new owner loves it.
My assumption is that Mercedes had a battery fix sometime in Q1 2020 but batteries were in short supply and take some time to build in sufficient numbers for new builds and as replacements for failed ones. During the transition in Q2,Q3 2020 they apparently continued to use some of the problematic batteries. My May 2020 48 volt replacement battery has 6 months and 7k miles now. My 2020 GLE 450 is 2 1/2 years old and has not had any battery issue to date. The new owner loves it.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 21
Likes: 2
GLS 450
Super thanks MBguy013 for reply. Do you run ur with all tech on or anything you keep it turned off? Like Auto Start Stop turned off? or anything which can chew up a lot of battery which can be turned off?
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 21
Likes: 2
GLS 450
@Longroof45 Super thanks for being so active here. I had read so many of your post and they had been very helpful. I just wanted to say thanks for your time here.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 21
Likes: 2
GLS 450
There are two part numbers for the 48 volt listed previously on this Forum. After my replacement battery was installed I made a trip to talk to the Dealer Service Manager. He told me that along with the replacement battery that he also installed a software update “that would keep it from having a similar failure again”…his words. I asked about the 48 volt battery again at 10k service and he said that there have been no similar failures with the replacement battery. I trust his word…he’s a no BS, no excuses type of person with several “top 5” Mercedes awards from training seminars. In hindsight, I wish I had asked more questions about the reason for the failure.
My assumption is that Mercedes had a battery fix sometime in Q1 2020 but batteries were in short supply and take some time to build in sufficient numbers for new builds and as replacements for failed ones. During the transition in Q2,Q3 2020 they apparently continued to use some of the problematic batteries. My May 2020 48 volt replacement battery has 6 months and 7k miles now. My 2020 GLE 450 is 2 1/2 years old and has not had any battery issue to date. The new owner loves it.
My assumption is that Mercedes had a battery fix sometime in Q1 2020 but batteries were in short supply and take some time to build in sufficient numbers for new builds and as replacements for failed ones. During the transition in Q2,Q3 2020 they apparently continued to use some of the problematic batteries. My May 2020 48 volt replacement battery has 6 months and 7k miles now. My 2020 GLE 450 is 2 1/2 years old and has not had any battery issue to date. The new owner loves it.
Up here did you mean to say your May 2021 has 6 months and 7k miles? Whats the part number for new replaced battery?
I have VIN number for mine. It should reach dealer in 3 weeks in Australia. However when I try mbdecoder website, it does not show any info for that VIN. Do you know any website which would have info on new car VIN number?
Senior Member
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 338
Likes: 101
From: Shaker Heights, Ohio
2021 E450 All Terrain Wagon
@Longroof45 Super thanks for being so active here. I had read so many of your post and they had been very helpful. I just wanted to say thanks for your time here.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,771
Likes: 1,264
From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Battery issues
Well, after 31 months & 22k miles I thought I was immune, but got the “Starter batter critical” message twice in last 2 days, today while driving even though my wife drove it 45 minutes yesterday. This is how it often starts, right? Will get it in as soon as I can.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 3,391
Likes: 1,040
From: Boise
2024 GMC Canyon Denali..... 2018 Audi SQ5
Well, after 31 months & 22k miles I thought I was immune, but got the “Starter batter critical” message twice in last 2 days, today while driving even though my wife drove it 45 minutes yesterday. This is how it often starts, right? Will get it in as soon as I can.
AFAIK there is no state of charge notice for the 48 volt…just a warning message in the DIC when it fails.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 3,391
Likes: 1,040
From: Boise
2024 GMC Canyon Denali..... 2018 Audi SQ5
Thanks Ron, once again read your post as well.. So much informative.
Up here did you mean to say your May 2021 has 6 months and 7k miles? Whats the part number for new replaced battery?
I have VIN number for mine. It should reach dealer in 3 weeks in Australia. However when I try mbdecoder website, it does not show any info for that VIN. Do you know any website which would have info on new car VIN number?
Up here did you mean to say your May 2021 has 6 months and 7k miles? Whats the part number for new replaced battery?
I have VIN number for mine. It should reach dealer in 3 weeks in Australia. However when I try mbdecoder website, it does not show any info for that VIN. Do you know any website which would have info on new car VIN number?
Old Battery-000-982-68-14. New Battery-000-982-67-14
Note the new battery has a lower PN so it’s possible that they went back to the trouble free battery used in the first Gen GLE 450’s. (Year designation 2020 US-2019 Europe)
At this late date you almost certainly have the new battery. Your Dealer Service Dept. can more likely run your VIN breakdown this early after production. The VIN decoders seem hit & miss.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 338
Likes: 101
From: Shaker Heights, Ohio
2021 E450 All Terrain Wagon
I think your 12 volt is going bad…not the 48 volt. I had that message with my 2020 and that’s what it was. My early warning was also the leveling feature working randomly after driving for a few miles. The 12v ran down while sitting (probably internal short) and then began to charge back while driving. It says starter battery because that’s the 12 volt in the 350 and prior Gen’s. Sloppy on MB’s part to not change the language since it’s been 3 years.
AFAIK there is no state of charge notice for the 48 volt…just a warning message in the DIC when it fails.
AFAIK there is no state of charge notice for the 48 volt…just a warning message in the DIC when it fails.
