Mercedes Recalls Electric G-Wagon Over Wheel Bolt Issues

If you are one of the lucky owners of the brand-new electric Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon, you might want to hold off on your next off-roading adventure for just a moment. The German luxury automaker has officially issued a recall for the 2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ technology. The reason? A potential issue where the wheel bolts could loosen or, in the worst-case scenario, detach from the vehicle entirely.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the recall affects approximately 3,734 vehicles. It appears that the engineering transition from internal combustion to electric power brought some unexpected physical challenges. The report explains that the wheel bolts used in the G580 were not properly adapted to handle the significantly higher weight and torque loads that come with an electric powertrain. Essentially, Mercedes used the same wheel assembly and bolts as the standard gas-powered G-Class, but the electric version's massive battery and instant power proved to be too much for the existing hardware.

The issue was identified after an internal analysis conducted between late 2024 and early 2025. While Mercedes-Benz notes that the loosening of bolts is unlikely to occur under normal, everyday driving conditions, the risk increases during repeated rough driving or frequent wheel changes. For a vehicle designed for rugged terrain, "rough driving" is exactly what many owners intend to do, making this fix a high priority for the brand.

The good news for owners is that the fix is straightforward and free of charge. Affected customers will need to visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer, where technicians will replace the bolts with upgraded versions designed for the EV's specs. Mail notices are expected to go out to owners starting in late May. This isn't the first time Mercedes has had to iron out some EV-specific kinks; you might remember the 2021 recall for the EQS where the dashboard allowed video playback while driving. It seems the road to total electrification still has a few bumps along the way.