Mercedes G 580 Electric G-Wagon Recalls: Is Your G-Class a California Lemon?

The Mercedes G 580 with EQ Technology — the all-electric version of the iconic G-Class, better known as the G-Wagon (also spelled G Wagon) — is one of the most expensive SUVs on the road. But its early build years have already drawn two safety recalls, and owners report the software and charging quirks common to first-year electric vehicles. If your electric G-Wagon keeps going back to the dealer for the same problem, California's Lemon Law may entitle you to a buyback, replacement, or cash settlement — with Mercedes paying your attorney fees.

What is the Mercedes G 580 with EQ Technology?

The G 580 is the fully electric G-Class, launched for the 2025 model year with four individual electric motors, serious off-road ability, and a six-figure price tag. It is a brand-new powertrain on a heavily updated platform, and like most first-year EVs it depends on complex software for everything from charging to driver-assistance. California's Lemon Law (the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act) covers electric vehicles sold or leased with a manufacturer's warranty, so the G 580 qualifies for the same buyback, replacement, and cash-settlement protections as any other new car.

The G 580 recalls so far

Two recalls have already reached the electric G-Class, and both involve safety systems that are supposed to protect you in an emergency.

1. ESP warning-light software fault

Mercedes-Benz recalled roughly 6,247 U.S. G-Class vehicles, including the G 580 with EQ Technology, over a software deviation that can cause the instrument cluster to display an incorrect warning light and messages when there is a problem with the Electronic Stability Program (ESP). ESP is the stability-control system that helps keep the vehicle from skidding, so a driver who is shown the wrong warning may not understand that stability control is affected. The recall covers vehicles built from December 14, 2023 through January 28, 2025, and the remedy is an ESP control-unit software update installed free of charge.

2. Front radar sensor defect that can disable automatic braking

In a separate recall, Mercedes-Benz flagged a small number of 2025 G 580 and AMG G 63 vehicles built with a defective short-range front radar sensor whose internal circuit board may not meet production requirements. A faulty sensor can compromise object detection and deactivate radar-dependent safety features — including automatic emergency braking (AEB), lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Dealers replace the short-range radar sensor free of charge. Losing automatic emergency braking without warning is exactly the kind of safety defect that can support a Lemon Law claim if the repair does not hold.

Other problems G 580 owners report

Beyond the recalls, first-year electric G-Class owners describe the same kinds of issues that affect many new EVs. Common complaints include:

• Charging faults, including aborted or slow DC fast-charging sessions
• 12-volt battery drain and reduced-power or limp-mode warnings
• MBUX infotainment freezes, reboots, and connectivity dropouts
• Software bugs and failed or incomplete over-the-air updates
• First-year build-quality issues, rattles, and trim defects

A few early-adopter glitches are normal on any new platform. The problem is when a substantial defect keeps coming back after repeated repair attempts, or when your G 580 spends weeks in the shop waiting on parts or software that does not fix the issue.

Does a recall make my G 580 a lemon?

Not by itself. A recall is the manufacturer acknowledging a defect and offering a free repair. It becomes a Lemon Law matter when a substantial defect cannot be fixed after a reasonable number of attempts, or when the vehicle has been out of service for 30 or more cumulative days for warranty repairs. When the defect involves a safety system like automatic emergency braking or stability control, a repair that does not permanently solve the problem is treated seriously.

What you could recover

If your G 580 qualifies, you may be entitled to a buyback — a refund of what you have paid, minus a mileage offset for the miles you drove before the problem appeared — or a replacement vehicle, or a cash-and-keep settlement. Because a buyback is based on the price you paid, the potential recovery on a six-figure electric G-Class can be substantial. Best of all, Mercedes is required to pay your attorney fees on a successful claim, so pursuing your case costs you nothing out of pocket.

What to do if your G 580 keeps failing

• Keep every repair order and dealer visit record, even for software updates
• Write down how many days the vehicle has been out of service
• Save any recall notices and owner-notification letters you receive
• Do not wait — California has filing deadlines that can shorten your window
• Call a California lemon law attorney for a free case review