The all-electric Mercedes-Benz G580 brings massive torque and a heavy battery pack to the legendary G-Class platform. Unfortunately, it seems that incredible heft and power might be a bit too much for the SUV’s original hardware. Mercedes-Benz USA is officially issuing a safety recall for thousands of 2025 G580 EVs because their wheel bolts could loosen and potentially detach while driving.
Too Much Torque for Standard Bolts
According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration under recall campaign 26V198, the issue stems from an issue in the vehicle’s development process. Engineers initially used the exact same wheel assembly and bolts that had proven successful on the previous internal-combustion G-Class platform.
However, the automaker discovered during internal durability testing that the original bolts were not properly adapted to handle the significantly increased vehicle mass and higher torque loads generated by the new electric variant. Under severe conditions, the connection between the wheel bolt and the hub can actually loosen while the vehicle is in motion.
What Are the Risks?
A loose wheel bolt is a serious safety hazard. If the bolts back out entirely, the wheel could detach from the vehicle, severely impairing driving stability and drastically increasing the risk of a crash.
The good news is that this defect was caught during internal testing before it could wreak havoc on public roads. Mercedes-Benz conducted extensive analyses between September 2024 and January 2025, concluding that the bolts are only likely to fail under a combination of extreme driving and repeated wheel changes late in the vehicle’s lifespan. As of now, the automaker has received zero field reports, warranty claims, or reports of crashes and injuries related to the defect in the US.
The Fix and What Owners Need to do
The recall affects exactly 3,734 units of the 2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 EV. To fix the problem, authorized dealerships will replace the factory hardware with a newly designed two-part spherical collar bolt, completely free of charge.
If you own an electric G-Wagen, here is what you need to know about the timeline:
- Dealers will be officially notified about the recall campaign on April 3, 2026.
- Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed out by May 22, 2026.
- Owners can contact Mercedes-Benz USA customer service directly at 1-800-367-6372 for more information.
