marchgroupinc

I thought mostly US States considered the 48V a Hybrid battery and was covered for 8 years? May be worth looking into.?

TNS550

I would call the dealer back and speak to the Service Manager. I believe the 48v battery is covered under the 4 yr/50k mi standard warranty. Looked thru the 2020 MB Warranty Book and I did not see an exception for the 48v battery.

chassis

There is a large list of owners and posters on this site (not surprising with MB rubbish quality) who have experienced this 48V failure.

Hopefully they chime in with their experience getting warranty compensation from MB for this issue.

MuddyBlueJeans

Duplicate post

MuddyBlueJeans

Thank you for the responses. I will update as soon as I have something. Even with the extended warranty I am concerned with keeping the vehicle since ownership is approaching 4 years, because I don’t think batteries are covered. Now if the 48v is covered for 8years/80k miles then I may keep it until then because it did not shut off while driving.

want to share how I put it in neutral.
- Immediately after pushing the start button with foot on brake shift to Drive, then it will allow to shift into neutral (with a lot of audio notifications). Then disengage the parking brake. After about a minute the vehicle will automatically go back into park so be aware of this when placing in a tow truck bed.

chassis

Best of luck with the resolution. The photo is not what anyone hopes for, but common for the 167 platform with 48V system.

DesertGolfer

The 48 volt battery is covered under the General Emission Defect Warranty Coverage (7 years/70,000 miles) for Gasoline Engine models in CA, CO, CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NJ, NY, NY, OR, PA, RI, VT and WA Only.
https://www.mbusa.com/content/dam/mb...ty-booklet.pdf

carpersn

Wonder if the 48V is covered by the available extended limited or certified preowned?

MuddyBlueJeans

What if it was purchased in TN but I live in MS?

Thanks in advance.

MuddyBlueJeans

Dealer said the 48v is bad and they are replacing it. They said the 12v was still ok, but I am insisting they replace it as well and if not, just for my family’s safety I will be replacing it with a DieHard AGM Platinum H7 (Group 94R) or H8… not 100% on what battery is required and will know once it is removed.

MuddyBlueJeans

I was contacted today with an update…said the coolant lines for the 48V are now leaking worse (said the coolant lines were already leaking a little before hand, but the replacing the battery made the leak worse….so apparently they were ok with it leaking as long as it was only a little because they reconnected the lines to the new battery). Dealer is ordering replacement hoses from Germany. My concern was the color of the coolant in the picture. This looks like rust or oil to me, but technician said it was pink coolant, and it’s just mixed with some dust and dirt (I don’t know the design and therefore no idea where the dust and dirt would have came from or why it is inside the hose connections). It’s a good dealership and have always treated me right, but this does concern me with both longevity and more importantly, my family safety. We’re having serious discussions about trading it in on a non-hybrid non-turbo vehicle (which is hard to find and the new Honda Pilot AWD Elite is so far the closest… liked the Acura MDX, but the infotainment center control is horrible).

chassis

@MuddyBlueJeans hoping for the fastest and best possible resolution for you on this.

The 48V system from MB is a failed experiment in the history of the automotive industry. Do not buy an MB with a 48V system. During warranty period, the only "cost" is your time and aggravation. Outside of warranty, the potential pain in the wallet could be substantial. Which, of course, would be added on top of the time and aggravation. So a double "gift" from MB's rubbish 48V system.

TNS550

My suggestion is to hang on to the GLS. Dealer seems pro-active with the hoses, and you have a new 48V battery. As to MDX, they are great premium vehicles (I have had five), but they are no GLS. I've had my 2020 GLS 450 since November and it is much more vehicle than the MDX. I would have a hard time going back.
I have had one issue with my GLS where I got a Malfunction message to drive at max 50 mph, but a software update took care of that.

Sunbeltgolfer11

Out of curiosity can anyone tell me what a battery for the 48v system costs once the vehicle is out of warranty?

z28lt1

If I'm finding the right part, looks like MSRP of $1750 and street prices about 25% lower than that.

Interestingly 48V battery used in many of the sedans has an MSRP of $2400.

carpersn

Unlike the vaults of the 80s and 90s, these days the tech is just too complex, unfortunately. And I don’t believe MB is any worse off than others…just one reason I for one won’t own one without warranty coverage from Mercedes. I would be curious to know the coverage under both ELW and certified pre-owned.

the whole electrification of these vehicles kind of makes me ill, but they have to follow the market…but, wonder when we get to the point that swapping the EV battery is like buying a new regular battery vs the design of one that will actually last for the life is the vehicle.

Sunbeltgolfer11

Thanks for the reply. I've been trying to get this from a couple MB parts departments, but, so far no response.

Sunbeltgolfer11

Funny, I just got a call from one of the dealerships and you are right on the money. The battery is indeed $1750.00.

rwells4

I'm over here from the CLS (C257) forum, and reading this thread gives me heartburn. My car is currently in the shop for the second time with the same issue. I'm pissed off. I think I'm done with Benz.

wildta

Sorry to hear. What happened in your 1st and now 2nd situation with the 48V system?

chassis

You are part of a large and growing cohort who see things the same way.

carpersn

If only there was an upscale luxury manufacturer not seeking to keep up with the EV momentum, we could simply shift. In reality, I doubt many of us long time loyalists “know how to quit them”. The experience elsewhere is no different.

MDMercedesGuy

The grass is not greener, regardless of make.

I'm fortunate that my local MB dealer service is quite good. I do all of my own maintenance, but when the need arises for warranty, I don't have qualms about taking it there. If I could say the same about GM, I'd have a 2024 Escalade on order instead of a GLS... the GM dealer experience is the worst you can have, and they are NOT keeping pace with the technology that they are putting out, so getting anything repaired is a nightmare.

rwells4

Same as what's been described by others - red warning to stop engine and "see owner's manual" LOL, what the hell will I find in the owner's manual? Fritz the Magic Mercedes Mechanic? What a frigging joke. Anyway, AC shuts down, followed by limp mode (which is super safe at highway speeds, right?) Both times, same problem. The first time was supposedly fixed with a "software update". That was good for two months and 5000 miles (yes, I drive a lot - I rely on my car to do my job). Which makes this whole sitch all the more unacceptable.

rwells4

It's a damned shame isn't it? But in my lifetime of driving, all of the ****ty, piece of crap cars I've had, not a SINGLE ONE of them had left me stranded. Never happened until now. In my fancy, $80,000 Benz. Yep, nice fancy car ya got there mister. Makes my greasy flatbed look REALLY NICE! See ya at the service department.