battery overheat – California Lemon Law blog

The Mercedes-Benz EQB was marketed as a luxury electric SUV combining practicality, performance, and cutting-edge technology. But for many California drivers, ownership has been anything but smooth—especially when it comes to serious battery-related defects. If you own or lease an EQB and are experiencing issues, you could have rights under California’s Lemon Law.

The Biggest Issue: High-Voltage Battery Defects

The most significant problem affecting the EQB is its high-voltage battery system—the core component of any electric vehicle. Recent recalls reveal that certain EQB models (primarily 2022–2024) may contain defective battery cells that can:

Overheat
Short circuit internally
Increase the risk of fire—even when parked

In fact, Mercedes-Benz recalled over 12,000 EQB vehicles in the U.S. due to this issue, with regulators warning that internal battery faults could lead to fires without warning. Even more concerning, 100% of the affected vehicles were believed to contain the defect, meaning this was not an isolated problem. Mercedes-Benz attempted to fix the problem through software updates designed to monitor battery performance and reduce risk. However, those fixes proved insufficient.

Vehicles were recalled multiple times
Software updates did not fully resolve the issue
Mercedes ultimately had to replace entire battery packs

Nearly 12,000 EQB vehicles are now receiving full battery replacements, an unusually drastic measure that highlights the seriousness of the defect.

Safety Restrictions Placed on Owners

While waiting for repairs, EQB owners have been given strict safety instructions:

Do not charge the battery above 80%
Park the vehicle outside and away from structures
Watch for warning messages or sudden malfunctions

These limitations significantly reduce the usability and convenience of the vehicle—especially in a state like California where EV range and charging flexibility are critical.

Other Battery-Related Complaints

Beyond recalls, many drivers report ongoing battery and electrical system problems, including:

Sudden loss of power or “limp mode”
Unexpected battery drain
Warning messages related to high-voltage systems
Vehicle shutdowns while driving

Some reports even describe vehicles becoming unsafe or unreliable for daily use—raising serious concerns about long-term dependability.

Why This Matters Under California Lemon Law

California’s Lemon Law protects consumers when a vehicle:

Has substantial defects that impair use, value, or safety
Cannot be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts
Spends excessive time in the repair shop

Battery defects—especially those involving fire risk or loss of power—are exactly the type of issues that qualify.

Mercedes EQB Battery Fire Warning

Ford Motor Company has expanded a significant safety recall affecting certain plug-in hybrid vehicles after discovering that additional high-voltage battery cells may be susceptible to failure. The recall impacts thousands of Ford Escape and Lincoln Corsair plug-in hybrid vehicles and raises concerns about sudden loss of power and potential fire risk.

The expanded recall is listed under NHTSA Campaign Number 26V-091 and covers approximately 24,690 vehicles nationwide.

What Vehicles Are Affected?

The recall applies to:

2023–2025 Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV)
2023–2026 Lincoln Corsair Plug-In Hybrid

These vehicles may contain high-voltage battery cells manufactured before updated supplier quality controls were implemented in October 2024. This action expands earlier recalls addressing the same underlying battery defect.

What Is the Battery Problem?

According to Ford and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), certain high-voltage battery cells may develop an internal short circuit due to manufacturing variability.

Investigators determined that inconsistencies during battery production may create microscopic defects inside the battery cell. These defects can damage the separator layer between the cathode and anode — a critical safety component designed to prevent internal electrical contact. If the separator becomes compromised, the battery cell may fail.

Safety Risks Associated With the Defect

A battery internal short circuit can lead to serious safety issues, including:

Sudden shutdown of the vehicle’s propulsion system
Display of a “Stop Safely Now” warning message
Loss of motive power while driving
Battery thermal venting
Increased risk of vehicle fire

Ford states that steering, braking, and lighting systems remain functional during a propulsion shutdown, but loss of power while driving significantly increases the risk of a crash or injury.

Why the Recall Was Expanded

Ford previously issued recalls (24V-954 and 25SC4/25V-789) covering vehicles with battery cells manufactured before April 1, 2023.

However, continued investigation revealed that the issue extended beyond the originally identified production window.

After reviewing field reports and conducting battery tear-downs and manufacturing analysis, Ford determined that battery cells produced until additional supplier quality controls were implemented on October 10, 2024 may also be vulnerable.

As of February 10, 2026:

Two battery venting incidents were reported in Europe outside the original recall population.
Ford reports no known U.S. incidents, accidents, or injuries related to the expanded population.

Warning Signs Drivers May Experience

Drivers experiencing a battery failure may notice:

A red “Stop Safely Now” message displayed on the instrument cluster
Sudden loss of propulsion power
Warning alerts related to the hybrid system

If this message appears, drivers should safely pull over as soon as possible.

What Owners Should Do Right Now

Because a permanent repair is still being developed, Ford has issued interim safety instructions.

Owners are advised to:

Use “Auto EV” mode only
Limit battery charging to 80% capacity
Follow instructions provided in owner notification letters

Ford expects interim notification letters to be mailed beginning March 6, 2026, with additional letters sent once a final repair becomes available.

Recall Information

Manufacturer Recall Number: 25SC4
NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V-091000
Expanded Recalls: 24V-954 and 25V-489
Vehicles Affected: Approximately 24,690

This recall expands on an earlier battery defect investigation affecting Ford plug-in hybrid vehicles. You can read our previous analysis here:

Battery Cell Problems In Ford Escape & Lincoln Corsair Plug-In Hybrids

Owners of certain electric Mercedes-Benz EQB models are now facing a serious safety defect involving the high-voltage battery. According to filings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an internal battery defect may lead to a thermal event and potential vehicle fire — whether the vehicle is parked or being driven.

If you own one of the following models, your vehicle may be affected:

2023–2024 Mercedes-Benz EQB 250+
2022–2024 Mercedes-Benz EQB 300 4MATIC
2022–2024 Mercedes-Benz EQB 350 4MATIC

The recall is listed under NHTSA Campaign Number 26V-073 and replaces earlier recalls 25V-050 and 25V-894.

What Is the Safety Risk?

Mercedes has acknowledged that certain battery cells produced during an early production period may not be sufficiently robust. Under certain production and usage conditions, an internal short circuit can develop within the high-voltage battery.

If that occurs:

A thermal event may result
There is an increased risk of vehicle fire
The fire could occur while driving or while parked

If the event occurs while driving, drivers may see a high-voltage battery malfunction warning message in the instrument cluster. If the event occurs while the vehicle is parked, there may be no warning at all. That lack of warning is particularly concerning — especially for vehicles parked inside garages or near structures.

What Caused the Problem?

Mercedes-Benz identified deviations in the battery supplier’s production process. Certain battery cells from an early production range were found to be:

Less resistant to stress factors over time
More vulnerable at high state-of-charge (SoC)
Potentially susceptible to short circuiting — especially when combined with:
- Charging infrastructure influences
- External damage
- Environmental stress

The risk appears elevated when the battery is charged to high capacity levels.

Chronology of Events

The recall began on January 31, 2025, when Mercedes-Benz filed an initial safety notice with NHTSA and later implemented a global software update in April 2025 to reduce the risk of battery-related thermal events. After additional incidents were reported outside the United States in May 2025, the recall was expanded, with a supplemental notice filed in October 2025. In November 2025, two fire incidents in Europe involving vehicles that had already received the software update raised concerns about the remedy’s effectiveness, prompting further investigation and discussions with regulators. Extensive testing and analysis conducted between December 2025 and January 2026 ultimately led Mercedes to conclude that the software update could not reliably eliminate the risk in all affected vehicles. As a result, on January 30, 2026, the company launched a new recall requiring full high-voltage battery replacement for certain vehicles, now identified as NHTSA Campaign Number 26V-073.

Fires Reported in the United States

Mercedes reports:

Two fire incidents in the United States
Both vehicles were part of the original recall scope
No U.S. fires have been reported after the software update
Approximately 74% of affected U.S. vehicles have completed the original recall repair

However, because the software update’s effectiveness cannot be fully confirmed, Mercedes is now requiring battery replacement.

What Owners Are Being Told to Do

Until repairs are completed, owners are advised to:

Park outside and away from structures
Limit charging to 80% battery capacity
Await official notification letters (interim letters expected February 27, 2026)

Importantly:

Vehicles previously repaired under recall 25V-050 or 25V-894 must still undergo the new repair.

Lemon Law Implications

Battery replacement is not a minor repair. It is one of the most expensive and critical components of an electric vehicle.

If your Mercedes EQB:

Experienced a fire or thermal event
Has been out of service for extended periods
Required multiple repair attempts
Is subject to repeat recalls
Has diminished value due to safety concerns

You may have rights under your state’s Lemon Law.

Even if the manufacturer ultimately offers a repair, repeated safety recalls involving fire risk may qualify the vehicle as defective.

Final Thoughts

Electric vehicles depend entirely on battery integrity. When the manufacturer acknowledges that a software update may not be sufficient — and ultimately requires full battery replacement — that is a serious development.

If you own a 2022–2024 Mercedes EQB and have concerns about:

Safety
Repair delays
Diminished value
Buyback eligibility

It may be time to speak with an attorney experienced in automotive defect and lemon law claims. Safety recalls are meant to protect consumers. But when defects involve fire risk, the legal and financial consequences can be significant. If you believe your vehicle may qualify as a lemon, you do not have to navigate this alone.

Volkswagen has issued two separate safety defects affecting the 2023–2025 Volkswagen ID.4, its all-electric SUV. While both recalls involve safety-related defects, one affects a smaller subset of vehicles and the other impacts a much larger population of ID.4 owners.

Both recalls center on the vehicle’s high-voltage battery system, a critical and potentially dangerous component if defects arise. Battery-related issues are taken seriously by regulators due to the risk of overheating, fire, and loss of vehicle function.

For California drivers, repeated battery issues or extended repair times may also raise lemon law concerns.

Recall #1: High-Voltage Battery Overheating Risk

NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V028000
Volkswagen Recall Number: 93EW

Volkswagen is recalling a large number of 2023–2025 ID.4 vehicles due to a defect that may cause the high-voltage battery to overheat.

What Is the Problem?

Volkswagen has identified an issue in which certain battery cell modules may overheat, increasing the risk of a thermal event. Battery overheating in electric vehicles can potentially lead to:

Fire risk
Damage to the battery pack
Loss of vehicle functionality
Safety hazards during or after charging

Because of the seriousness of the risk, Volkswagen has issued immediate safety instructions for affected owners.

Important Safety Instructions for Owners

Until the recall repair is completed, owners are advised to:

Park the vehicle outside immediately after charging
Do not charge the vehicle indoors overnight
Avoid using Level 3 DC fast chargers
Limit the battery’s maximum charge to 80%

These precautions are intended to reduce the risk of overheating while Volkswagen prepares the permanent remedy.

Recall Remedy

Volkswagen dealers will:

Inspect the high-voltage battery
Replace affected battery cell modules as necessary

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on March 20, 2026.

Recall #2: High-Voltage Battery Software Defect

NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V030000
Volkswagen Recall Number: 93EA

A separate recall affects a smaller number of 2023–2025 Volkswagen ID.4 vehicles involving the high-voltage battery system.

What Is the Problem?

In this recall, Volkswagen identified a condition where the battery management software may not properly monitor or control battery behavior, which could contribute to overheating or other unsafe operating conditions.

Recall Remedy

To address the issue, Volkswagen dealers will:

Update the high-voltage battery software
Replace the high-voltage battery if necessary

As with the larger recall, owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 20, 2026.

Why These Recalls Matter for California ID.4 Owners

Battery defects are among the most serious problems an electric vehicle can face. In California, EVs are protected under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, commonly known as the Lemon Law.

You may have a potential lemon law claim if your Volkswagen ID.4:

Has repeated battery or charging-related issues
Requires multiple repair attempts for the same safety defect
Is out of service for an extended period due to recall repairs
Suffers diminished value or safety concerns even after repairs

Notably, recalls do not cancel lemon law rights. In fact, a safety recall involving a high-voltage battery can strengthen a claim if the defect substantially affects the vehicle’s use, value, or safety.

Bottom Line

Volkswagen’s two recalls for the 2023–2025 ID.4 highlight serious concerns involving the vehicle’s high-voltage battery system. While Volkswagen is offering repairs, owners should follow all safety guidance and carefully document any ongoing problems or time spent in the repair shop.

If your ID.4 continues to experience battery issues, charging limitations, or extended downtime, it may be worth exploring your rights under California Lemon Law.

Volvo Cars has decided that there may be a safety defect affecting a small number of 2025 Volvo EX30 vehicles. The potential issue involved the high-voltage battery. Although there have been no reported incidents, warranty claims, or service reports in the United States, the company is taking precautionary steps to reduce any possible safety risk while a permanent repair is developed.

The concern centers on the vehicle’s high-voltage battery cells. According to Volvo, a manufacturing process deviation may result in the formation of lithium plating growth inside certain battery cells. Over time, this condition can increase the risk of an internal short circuit, which in rare circumstances could cause the battery to overheat.

If such a short circuit were to occur, it could lead to a thermal event, meaning excessive heat and, in extreme cases, the possibility of fire. While this scenario is considered unlikely, Volvo determined the issue warranted a safety recall out of an abundance of caution.

Drivers may receive a warning if a problem develops. In affected vehicles, a battery overheating message would appear in the Driver Information Module, alerting the driver to the condition.

Volvo first became aware of the issue in July 2025, after receiving a report of potential high-voltage battery cell overheating outside the United States. The company launched an internal investigation, which was later escalated to its Critical Concern Action Process. After technical analysis and risk assessment by the Critical Concern Management Team, Volvo concluded that the issue could present an increased risk to motor vehicle safety. On December 26, 2025, the decision was made to issue a safety notification recall.

While the investigation continues, Volvo has issued interim guidance for affected owners. Customers are being advised to limit battery charging to a maximum of 70 percent state of charge and to avoid parking their vehicles indoors or near structures. These recommendations are intended to reduce battery stress and minimize potential risk until a final remedy is available.

Volvo is currently developing a permanent service solution. Future production has already been updated to include a new high-voltage battery variant designed to eliminate the condition. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed beginning February 23, 2026, at which point dealers will provide further instructions.

This recall is identified by Volvo recall number R10355 and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration campaign number 26V-001.

If you own a 2025 Volvo EX30 and receive a recall notice, following the interim guidance and staying in contact with your dealer is the best course of action while the final repair is completed.

Ford has decided that a safety defect exists involving the high-voltage battery packs inside certain plug-in hybrid vehicles—specifically the 2020–2024 Ford Escape PHEV and 2021–2024 Lincoln Corsair PHEV. At the center of the issue is a manufacturing defect inside one or more battery cells, which can lead to an internal short circuit and, in the worst cases, battery thermal venting or vehicle shutdown.

This problem originally surfaced years ago, was addressed by a previous recall, and now—based on new field data—Ford has determined that the prior fix may not have been enough.

What’s Causing the Problem?

Inside the high-voltage battery pack, each cell has a separator layer that keeps the cathode and anode apart. If this thin separator layer becomes damaged, the cell can short internally. Ford, its engineering teams, and the battery cell supplier have all pointed to variability in the supplier’s production process as the likely cause. This inconsistency may lead to small imperfections or weaknesses in the separator layer.

When the separator is compromised, the result can be:

Internal short circuits
Loss of propulsion power
Battery overheating
Thermal venting
Potential vehicle fire

Ford has not yet identified the complete root cause. Tear down investigations are still ongoing.

Safety Risks: What Can Happen

If a battery cell shorts internally:

1. Loss of Motive Power While Driving

The vehicle may suddenly shut down its propulsion system.
A red “Stop Safely Now” warning appears on the instrument cluster.

Although steering, braking, and lights still work, a sudden loss of acceleration dramatically increases crash and injury risk.

2. Battery Thermal Venting / Fire Risk

A shorted cell can overheat and vent hot gas, which can ignite surrounding components.
This is a significant safety hazard, particularly if venting occurs during or after charging.

To date, Ford reports no injuries or accidents connected to this defect.

A Look Back: The 24V-954 / 24S79 Recall

Ford already attempted to fix this issue once.

In December 2024, Ford approved recall 24V-954 (Ford) / 24S79 (Lincoln), which rolled out the following remedy:

Updated Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) software
Added enhanced detection of battery cell anomalies
Stopped battery charging automatically if anomalies were detected
Alerted owners through messages in the instrument cluster

This fix was intended to catch separator-layer damage before it caused a short circuit. However, new field reports show this strategy was not always effective.

The Turning Point: New Thermal Venting Cases in 2025

July–August 2025

Three European Ford Kuga PHEV vehicles (the Kuga is the European variant of the Escape PHEV) experienced battery thermal venting even AFTER receiving the recall software update.

September 2025

Two more cases surfaced.

August–October 2025 Investigation

Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group (CCRG) opened a formal investigation on August 27, 2025.
Recovered battery packs and control modules showed:

No detectable anomalies before venting
Significant thermal damage making root-cause confirmation difficult
The updated software did NOT trigger any warnings prior to failure

Meanwhile, tear down analysis from other replaced battery packs (those that were flagged by the software and did not vent) has not yet identified a definitive cause.

As of November 5, 2025

Ford reports:

7 total venting incidents, all from European Kuga PHEV vehicles
All had already received the 24V-954 software update
No injuries or accidents

November 7, 2025

Ford approved a new field action—leading to today’s recall.

The New Recall: 25SC4 (Ford) / 25V-789 (NHTSA)

Because of the new cases, Ford has issued a new recall to replace the old one.

Affected Vehicles:

2020–2024 Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid
2021–2024 Lincoln Corsair Plug-In Hybrid
(These vehicles were previously included in recall 24V-954.)

Ford’s New Instructions to Owners

Until the final fix is ready, Ford advises:

Only use Auto EV mode
Limit the maximum charge of the high-voltage battery
Wait for mailed instructions and further updates

Interim owner letters are scheduled to go out December 1, 2025, detailing the safety risks and how to limit battery charging. A second letter will follow once a permanent remedy is available.

The Final Remedy Is Still Under Development

Ford has not yet determined what the permanent fix will look like—likely because the underlying defect is still not fully understood.

Conclusion

Ford’s latest recall highlights an unresolved and potentially serious defect in the high-voltage battery cells used in its Escape and Corsair plug-in hybrid models. The original software-based solution from 2024 was not enough to catch every instance of cell separator damage, and new thermal-venting cases have forced Ford to develop a more comprehensive fix. Until that final remedy is completed, owners must limit charging, follow Ford’s interim instructions, and watch for important recall notices.

Certain 2025 BMW models may have a battery connection problem that affects the electrical connection between the starter-generator and battery. This connection may come loose over time, leading to serious consequences.

The affected vehicles include the 2025 BMW 330i, 330i xDrive, 430i, 430i xDrive, 530i, 530i xDrive, and X3. The problem was discovered in December 2024, when a dealer field report from a non-US market mentioned a no-start condition and a burning odor within the engine compartment. An inspection found indications of local smoldering at the connection between the positive battery cable and the starter-generator.

After conducting an engineering investigation and reviewing additional incidents, BMW determined that the issue was related to the power connector component of the starter generator, which may not have been produced according to specifications. A gap could form at the connector location during production, causing a loose connection between the connector and the positive battery cable. This can lead to resistive heating, resulting in a loss of charging function and engine stalling without warning. In extreme cases, overheating could increase the risk of smoldering and even fire. Fortunately, BMW has not received any reports of accidents or injuries related to this issue.

To address the problem, owners of affected vehicles will be asked to return to their dealers for an inspection and replacement of the starter-generator and positive battery cable as necessary. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on May 23, 2025. The recall is identified by NHTSA campaign number 25V-202.

This afety recall aims to prevent any potential risks associated with this issue. Owners of affected vehicles should take immediate action to schedule an appointment with their dealer to have the necessary repairs made. By doing so, they can ensure their vehicle remains safe and reliable on the road.

Audi has announced a safety defect affecting certain high-voltage battery modules in its 2022-2023 Q5 Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) and A7 PHEV models. The recall is necessary due to the risk of thermal events, which may cause smoke or even fires.

According to Audi, the root cause of the issue is still under investigation, but current analysis suggests that manufacturing deviations at a supplier of battery modules may be to blame. The company has been working closely with its supplier, Samsung SDI, and conducting comprehensive analyses of affected batteries to determine the conditions and circumstances that trigger thermal events.

The recall affects approximately 50 high-voltage batteries from non-U.S. markets, as well as an additional batch of batteries collected from field incidents in the United States. Audi has also received reports of other vehicles outside of these specific models, which are also under investigation.

To mitigate the risk, Audi plans to install advanced onboard diagnostic software, which will detect potential issues with battery module performance and alert the driver before problems may occur. The software is expected to be available in the second quarter of 2025.

In addition to the software update, Audi will offer two interim remedies for vehicles affected by this recall:

Vehicles with online data: Affected modules or high-voltage batteries must be replaced.
Vehicles without online data: Customers will be instructed not to charge their vehicle from external sources or via the combustion engine until the new software becomes available.

To date, Audi reports no injuries, crashes, or fires related to this issue in the United States market. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk will be mailed on January 24, 2025, with a second notice to follow once the final remedy is available.

Vehicles Affected:

2022-2023 Audi Q5 PHEV
2022 Audi A7 PHEV

Recall Numbers:

Volkswagen’s number: 93AA
NHTSA campaign number: 24V-898

Interim Remedies:

Vehicles with online data: Replacement of affected modules or high-voltage batteries.
Vehicles without online data: Instructed not to charge vehicle from external sources or via combustion engine until new software becomes available.