What 66 owners told NHTSA about the 2023 Mercedes-benz Eqs SUV 580 4matic

On the date of purchase, while driving approximately 50 mph, the vehicle’s hood opened unexpectedly, obstructing my visibility and causing the vehicle to leave the roadway and enter a ditch. State Police responded, and the vehicle was towed immediately. This incident presents a serious safety defect. The is vehicle is certified by Mercedes Benz and purchased from Mercedes Benz Dealer.

NHTSA ODI 11714687

Severe safety issue involving my 2023 Mercedes. On [XXX] around 2pm, I experienced a terrifying incident while driving northbound on [XXX]. At approximately 59 mph, with clear weather and no vehicles nearby, a loud blast suddenly erupted from my vehicle, a sound similar to a shotgun blast or fireworks. I was in shock and initially unsure of what had occurred, as there were no cars around me, and my vehicle continued to operate normally. I looked up to see that the sunroof glass had inexplicably exploded. The sunroof blind was closed, and all windows were shut during the incident. I had been driving for about 20 minutes when this occurred. Remarkably, there was no glass inside the car; around 90% of the sunroof glass simply vanished. Fortunately, the sunroof blind was closed, which likely prevented severe injury to me or potential passengers. There were no cracks, chips, or issues with the sunroof before this incident. I now sometimes experience aftershocks whenever I encounter a pothole or any sudden jolt while driving. Given the severity and randomness of this occurrence, I am gravely concerned about the potential risk this defect poses to other drivers and their passengers. -The sunroof glass is available for inspection upon request. -The sudden explosion of the sunroof put my safety at risk, as the loud noise and unexpected nature of the event caused significant shock. If the sunroof blind had been open, glass shards could have injured me or any passengers. - The vehicle has been inspected by the manufacturer; they are not willing to correct the issue. -There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. The incident occurred without any prior indication or warning. I urge the NHTSA to investigate this matter promptly to ensure the safety of all motorists. Such an explosive failure of a vehicle component while driving is not only alarming but could have catastrophic INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11598076