Recall 15V655 affects 2,618 2014-2015 Mercedes-Benz B 250E and B-Class Electric vehicles for powertrain shutdown. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 2,618 2014-2015 B 250E and B-Class Electric vehicles under recall 15V655 because a communication error in the electric drive system can shut down the electric powertrain and temporarily immobilize the vehicle. A stall increases the risk of a crash, and Mercedes-Benz dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The 2014-2015 Mercedes-Benz B 250E and B-Class Electric use an electric drive system instead of a gasoline engine. The high-voltage traction battery supplies energy, and the electric powertrain turns that energy into motion. A gateway control unit, which is a small computer that passes messages between powertrain parts, helps those parts stay in sync.
On affected vehicles, that gateway control unit sends an incorrect signal inside the electric drive system. The powertrain reads the bad message and shuts down. When that happens, the vehicle loses propulsion power and comes to a stop, temporarily immobilizing the vehicle until the system can recover or be serviced.
There is no warning sign before failure. The issue is an internal communication error, so the driver does not get a clear mechanical symptom such as noise, vibration, or a visible leak before propulsion is lost.
Who's affected?
Spans the B 250E and B-Class Electric names across the 2014 and 2015 model years, with the same high-voltage traction battery component listed for each.
| 2014 Mercedes-Benz B 250E | high-voltage traction battery |
|---|---|
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz B 250E | high-voltage traction battery |
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric | high-voltage traction battery |
| 2014 Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric | high-voltage traction battery |
| Units affected | 2,618 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash because the vehicle can lose propulsion during a trip. If your VIN is included, schedule the software update soon and drive cautiously until it is done. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2014-2015 Mercedes-Benz B 250E or B-Class Electric is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free electric-drive software update that fixes the communication error behind the loss of propulsion.
- Bring the recall notice if you have one, and reference recall number 15V655 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the software update is complete, especially if the vehicle has stalled or lost propulsion before.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician updates the electric drive system software that controls communication in the electric powertrain. The update is intended to prevent the powertrain unit from shutting down and temporarily leaving the vehicle without propulsion. Parts and labor are free under the recall. Out of pocket repairs already paid are handled through the new vehicle warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, because the 2014 and 2015 vehicles remain under warranty. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| October 14, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 2, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
| December 5, 2015 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V655?
Recall 15V655 covers 2,618 2014-2015 Mercedes-Benz B 250E and B-Class Electric vehicles. A communication error in the electric drive system can shut down the electric powertrain unit, temporarily immobilize the vehicle, and cause loss of propulsion power. Mercedes-Benz dealers will update the software for free.
What should I do if my 2014-2015 Mercedes-Benz B 250E or B-Class Electric is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 15V655. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the electric drive system software update. Reference recall number 15V655 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost. Mercedes-Benz dealers will update the electric drive system software free of charge, regardless of where you bought the vehicle.
Is it safe to drive my Mercedes-Benz before the recall repair?
The risk is a stall from loss of propulsion power, which increases crash risk. If your VIN is included, arrange the free software update with a Mercedes-Benz dealer and ask the service desk whether any driving precautions apply before your appointment.
What if I bought my Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recalls follow the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your exact 2014-2015 Mercedes-Benz B 250E or B-Class Electric is included, then call a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer with recall number 15V655.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V655000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V655 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V655000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →