Mercedes-Benz Recalls 217 G580 EVs: Bolt from the Blue for an Electric Off-Road Icon

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class, long an icon of rugged off-road luxury, has hit an unexpected snag in its transition to an all-electric future. Mercedes-Benz (China) has filed a recall plan with the State Administration for Market Regulation, involving 217 imported G 580 electric vehicles produced between February and October 2024. The issue stems from potentially incompatible wheel bolts, which were originally designed for the heavier, high-torque demands of the electric G580.

The G-Class is produced in Graz, Austria, by Magna Steyr, and the G580 is the first fully electric variant of the W463 generation. With four independent electric motors producing 587 hp and a staggering 1,164 Nm of torque, the vehicle can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds.

The problem, surprisingly, is not a complex software bug, but rather a basic engineering oversight: the wheel bolts may not be able to withstand the stress of repeated wheel changes combined with extreme driving conditions. Reusing bolts designed for the lighter, less torquey internal combustion engine (ICE) models is a fundamental misstep, as modern EVs are significantly heavier and produce instantaneous torque, placing immense strain on all chassis components. Over time, this can allow the bolts to loosen, potentially causing a wheel to detach from the vehicle.

Hong Kong‘s official Mercedes-Benz dealer primarily offers the Edition ONE (starting from HK$2.92million\left)andtheAMGLine\right(startingfromHK$2.92million)andtheAMGLine(startingfromHK2.38 million). The recall affects vehicles produced between February and October 2024, and most Hong Kong-bound right-hand-drive (RHD) units were delivered from late 2024 onwards, suggesting most local vehicles are unaffected. However, owners of parallel imports or any vehicle within that specific production window should remain vigilant.

The recall serves as a stark reminder that even the most advanced electric vehicles rely on fundamental mechanical principles. Mercedes-Benz will replace the problematic bolts with a more robust, two‑piece design for free, aiming to restore the connection between the wheel and the hub. The incident underscores that as the industry races towards electrification and autonomy, rigorous engineering validation remains paramount. The cost of complacency for premium brands can be measured not just in parts, but in the trust of their customers.