READ THIS before you buy or lease the MB B EV

[tom]

MB B EV and Toyota RAV4 EV share the same Tesla drivetrain (motor, firmware and battery technology)

Mercedes started selling the MB B EV in the U.S. July 2014.

Toyota sold the RAV4 EV from 2012 to 2014, there are approximately 2,500 of them on the road today.

Toyota is doing a recall because of Tesla's drivetrain issues (hardware or software I am not sure).

Here is Toyota's recall press release dated 3/11/2015:

http://pressroom.toyota.com/releases/toyota+recall+camry+highlander+rav4+march11.htm

Here is Toyota's defect information report dated 3/11/2015:

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/jaxrs/download/doc/UCM474877/RCORRD-15V143-3968.pdf

In it they describe the problem: "The Electric Vehicle Traction Motor Assembly in the subject vehicles is part of the propulsion system, which contains a drive inverter (DI), DI electronic control unit (ECU), electric motor, motor speed sensor, shift control actuator, and transaxle assembly. The motor speed sensor detects the electric motor speed and rotational position, and sends this information as a signal to the DI ECU. Due to a software issue, the DI ECU may not be able to determine the rotational position of the motor, which causes a speed sensor error code. This will trigger a “Check EV System” warning message on the instrument panel, turn on a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL), and cause the electric motor to shift to “neutral”, resulting in a complete loss of drive power. A complete loss of drive power may increase the risk of a crash."

And on page 2 and 3, where the supplier is Tesla, they said: "November 2014 - February 2015. Additional reports were received, and the supplier continued to investigate the cause of the loss of drive power. During further investigation, the supplier determined that hardware variance is larger than firmware (software) tolerance. This can cause the drive inverter to be unable to determine the rotational position of the motor. If this occurs, a “Check EV System” warning message on the instrument panel will be triggered, a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) will come on, and the electric motor will shift to “neutral”, resulting in a complete loss of drive power. "

Follow these links to keep up with MB B EV's sudden-loss-of-drive story:

1) List of MB B EV owners who experienced sudden loss-of-drive: http://www.mybclasselectricdrive.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=380

2) MB B EV loss-of-drive: http://www.mybclasselectricdrive.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=359

3) MB B EV drivetrain replacement: http://www.mybclasselectricdrive.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=374

4) RAV4 EV recall status: http://www.myrav4ev.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1558

 

[GlennD]

MB B EV and Toyota RAV EV share the same Tesla drivetrain (hardware and firmware)

There are 2,500 RAV EVs on the road.

Toyota is doing a recall (It's because of Tesla's drivetrain issues. Hardware or software I am not sure).

Here is Toyota's press release dated 3/11/2015:

http://pressroom.toyota.com/releases/toyota+recall+camry+highlander+rav4+march11.htm

Follow these two links to keep up with this story:

1) RAV EV recall: http://www.myrav4ev.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1558

2) MB B EV: http://www.mybclasselectricdrive.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=359

For sure some cars have a problem. On the RAV4 EV forum most people report no problems.

A fix is always a good thing but so far my B has been fine.

 

[tom]

(deleted, duplicate info)

 

[TonyWilliams]

To help facilitate a future recall for the Tesla powered Mercedes Benz B-Class ED, make a report here if your car experienced going into neutral and loss of propulsion power while driving:

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/index.xhtml

You can also phone the Vehicle Safety Hotline: 1-888-327-4236 / Hearing Impaired (TTY): 1-800-424-9153) for assistance. Form Approved: OMB No. 2127-0008; Expires 05/31/2018

You might mention in the report that this appears to be the same issue shared with the Tesla drivetrain in the 2012-2014 Toyota RAV4 EV "loss of speed sensor signal causes vehicle to go into neutral and lose propulsion power".

 

[TonyWilliams]

Summary of the problem of the tolerances on the speed sensor being greater than the software is happy with:

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/jaxrs/download/doc/UCM474877/RCORRD-15V143-3968.pdf

 

[tom]

Added pharmama to sudden loss-of-drive LIST today.

pharmama post: http://www.mybclasselectricdrive.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=359&p=3048#p3048

LIST: http://www.mybclasselectricdrive.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=380

 

[tom]

Added forum member NYM to sudden loss-of-drive list today.

NYM's reported incident: http://www.mybclasselectricdrive.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=359&p=3228#p3228

LIST: http://www.mybclasselectricdrive.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=380

 

[tom]

Added forum member Jeff to sudden loss-of-drive list today.

Jeff's reported incident is here: http://www.mybclasselectricdrive.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=359&p=3276#p3276

List is here: http://www.mybclasselectricdrive.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=380

 

[tom]

Added forum member CM23 to sudden loss-of-drive list today.

CM23's reported incident is here: http://www.mybclasselectricdrive.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=359&p=3372#p3372

List is here: http://www.mybclasselectricdrive.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=380

 

[Comanchepilot]

MB issued the software recalls for this - Tesla apparently simply made the tolerances wider - the kludge factor is strong with this car.

My wife loves the car, loves never having to buy gas, loves the feel and style of the car. It's been reliable for us - we're closing in on the 10,000 mile first inspections - which I will do my self and reset the service indicator.

 

[wtzouris]

No issues for me, over 14,000 miles driven in 14 months. I was getting some dashboard warnings between 8-12 months of service, but never had the slip into neutral issue. I kept driving on the warnings and they always cleared on their own in about 15 minutes. The car always drives well -- no mechanical issues.. Since the recall service/software patch no more dashboard warnings. And the GOM - "Miles Remaining" meter is much more accurate. I never go in for routine maintenance, I change wiper blades, wiper fluid, and cabin air filter myself and went to You Tube to figure out how to reset the service indicator lights myself. Looking forward to doing the same at 20k and 30k miles. This is a 3-year 36k mile lease. Ultimately I would get another brand because I think the Mercedes service department tries to rip you off, trying to get you to pay $500-800 for "routine service intervals" . Electric cars need much less service, the coolant for the battery is long life and the brakes will probably last 100k miles because of the battery regeneration assisting in slowing down. All that is left is windshield washer fluid, tires, cabin air filter. No other timing belts, spark plugs, CV boots, transmissions/transfer cases or anything like that...

 

[Stretch2727]

Well you still have drive shafts and CV boots.

I do agree the maintenence is much less, and plan to do the same as you.

And remember the yearly battery certification from MB is free as has been posted elsewhere on this forum. I have to do mine in Apr for the first time.

 

[B250Owner]

I have slightly more than 22,000 miles in 29 months. A couple months after I bought it I had a problem with it not willing to recharge. Dealer said that the switch was locked into the open position. Fixed under warranty.

I have had the loss of power issue once or twice in the two years.

 

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