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Why do Mercedes-Benz powertrain recalls involve bad welds and drive shafts?
⚠ 1 of these recalls carries a do-not-drive advisory.
Five Mercedes-Benz powertrain recalls share two threads: welds that were not made correctly, and drive connections that can come apart. Bad welding is behind the 2025 E 350 and E 450 4MATIC rear axle camber strut bracket and the 2022 EQB 300 and EQB 350 4MATIC front electric drivetrain spur gear. Drive shaft trouble hits older 4MATIC models — 2018 E 400, 2019-2020 E 450, and 2018-2020 S 560, S 450 and Maybach sedans, coupes, wagons and cabriolets — plus 2017-2018 Metris vans whose transmission flange bolts loosen. Rollaway is the third thread: the EQB drivetrain and the 2019-2022 Sprinter parking pawl both let a parked vehicle move on its own.
Warning signs to watch for
- The vehicle rolls or creeps after you shift into Park (EQB, Sprinter)
- Sudden loss of drive or power while you are driving
- A sudden change in handling or loss of control (2025 E-Class rear axle)
- The transmission does not hold the vehicle when the parking pawl fails to engage
- Several of these can fail without any advance warning to the driver
Is it safe to keep driving?
One of these is a stop-driving recall: Mercedes tells owners of affected 2025 E 350 and E 450 4MATIC vehicles not to drive until the rear axle carrier is replaced. The other four carry no park-it or park-outside instruction, so the Metris, Sprinter, EQB and the 4MATIC drive shaft vehicles may be driven while you wait. With the Sprinter and EQB rollaway defects, set the parking brake firmly every time you park. Drive shaft owners got an interim letter and should watch for the follow-up.
What the free repair involves
All repairs are free. Dealers replace the rear axle carrier on the 2025 E-Class, replace the front axle electric drivetrain on the EQB, and replace the Metris transmission flange and securing bolts while cleaning the shaft seal. The 4MATIC drive shaft is inspected and replaced as necessary. The Sprinter parking pawl fix is a dealer software update, not over-the-air.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| critical | 1 |
| high | 4 |
Models affected most
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-03 | Mercedes-Benz drive shaft joint may break suddenly | high |
| 2024-12-18 | Mercedes-Benz E-Class rear axle bracket may break loose · do not drive | critical |
| 2024-05-10 | Mercedes-Benz EQB front drive unit may cause rollaway | high |
| 2022-10-21 | Sprinter vans may roll away after shifting into Park | high |
| 2018-07-29 | Mercedes-Benz Metris Driveshaft Bolts Can Loosen and Fall Out | high |
Common questions
My 2025 E-Class is under the axle bracket recall. Can I drive it to the dealer?
No. Mercedes advises owners not to drive these vehicles until the rear axle carrier has been replaced. Call your dealer or MBUSA at 1-800-367-6372 and ask them to arrange the repair rather than driving the car in.
Does the Sprinter rollaway recall need new parts?
No. Dealers update the software in the electronic stability, transmission control, direct select module and electronic ignition switch control units. It requires a dealer visit rather than an over-the-air update, and the work is free of charge.
My drive shaft letter says the remedy is not ready yet. What should I do?
The letter mailed May 22, 2026 is an interim notice about the safety risk. Mercedes will send a second letter once the remedy is available, and dealers will then inspect the drive shaft and replace it as necessary, free.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.