2014 Mercedes-Benz B Electric Drive

The 2014 Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive is a fully electric subcompact hatchback. It was only offered with an electric motor producing 177 horsepower and 251 lb-ft of torque, paired with a single-speed direct drive transmission. Owners generally praise its smooth and quiet ride, nimble handling, and spacious interior for its class. Common complaints revolve around its limited range compared to newer EVs, long charging times, and occasional issues with some of the electronic components.

Electric Motor

Electric Motor

• Motor Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Complete motor failure, resulting in the vehicle being unable to move. Diagnostic codes related to motor control or inverter failure may be present.
  • Solution: Replacement of the electric motor.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $7,000 - $12,000+
  • Recalls: None Found
• Reduced Range
  • Description/Symptoms: Noticeable decrease in the vehicle’s advertised range. This could be due to battery degradation, software issues, or problems with the regenerative braking system.
  • Solution: Depending on the cause, the solution may involve a battery module replacement, software update, or repair of the regenerative braking system.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $10,000+
  • Recalls: None Found

Transmission

Single-Speed Direct Drive

• Unusual Noises
  • Description/Symptoms: Whining or grinding noises emanating from the transmission area, particularly during acceleration or deceleration.
  • Solution: Inspection and possible replacement of the transmission.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $3,000 - $5,000+
  • Recalls: None Found

Battery

Battery Pack

• Battery Management System (BMS) Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: The BMS monitors and manages the battery’s performance. Failures can manifest as inaccurate state-of-charge readings, charging problems, or reduced performance.
  • Solution: Diagnosis and replacement of the BMS module.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,000 - $3,000+
  • Recalls: None Found
• Thermal Management System Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: Overheating or undercooling of the battery pack, leading to reduced performance and accelerated degradation.
  • Solution: Inspection and repair/replacement of the thermal management components (e.g., coolant pump, radiator, sensors).
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $2,500+
  • Recalls: None Found

Electrical

• 12V Battery Drain
  • Description/Symptoms: The vehicle’s 12V auxiliary battery drains quickly, leading to starting problems or electrical system malfunctions.
  • Solution: Identification and repair of the parasitic drain. This may involve replacing faulty modules or repairing wiring issues.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $150 - $1,000+
  • Recalls: None Found
• Charging System Problems
  • Description/Symptoms: Difficulty charging the vehicle, error messages related to charging, or failure to fully charge.
  • Solution: Diagnostics of the charging system, including the charging port, onboard charger, and associated wiring. Replacement of faulty components may be required.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $2,000+
  • Recalls: None Found

Suspension

No Issues Found

Exterior

• Tail Light Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Individual LEDs or entire sections of the tail light assembly fail, reducing visibility and potentially posing a safety hazard.
  • Solution: Replacement of the tail light assembly.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $500+
  • Recalls: None Found

Interior

• Infotainment System Malfunctions
  • Description/Symptoms: The COMAND infotainment system experiences freezing, crashing, or unresponsive touch screen issues.
  • Solution: Software update or replacement of the infotainment system module.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $1,500+
  • Recalls: None Found

Summary

The 2014 Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive can be a reliable vehicle, but it’s essential to be aware of the potential issues. The most significant concerns revolve around the electric motor, battery pack, and electrical system, which can lead to costly repairs. The cost and severity can range from minor annoyances like infotainment glitches to major expenses like motor replacement. Thorough inspection and a pre-purchase vehicle inspection by a qualified technician are highly recommended.