BMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX) vs Mercedes EQA / EQB: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Mercedes EQA / EQB carries less risk than the BMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX): 36/100 versus 38/100 (both moderate risk). The BMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX) has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Cells with a damaged cathode in the high-voltage battery (fire risk)»; the Mercedes EQA / EQB has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Internal short circuit in the high-voltage battery: fire risk, software update and battery replacement».

Risk index

BMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX)

Moderate risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

Mercedes EQA / EQB

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

Reviewed on 30 October 202616 sources How we work

Is the BMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX) reliable?

The sources consulted record no faults with the motor or the reduction gear. What is documented are small recalls for the battery (cells, modules, pads) and the integrated charger, concentrated on cars built from 2021 to 2023: ask for the chassis number and the paperwork.^[1][2][3]

See the 5 of the BMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX) faults

Is the Mercedes EQA / EQB reliable?

The only well-documented faults in the EQA and EQB electric drivetrain are the battery recalls for fire risk (2025 and 2026, the latter with battery replacement) and a 2024 pyrofuse check. No recurring faults have been published.^[4][5][6][7]

See the 2 of the Mercedes EQA / EQB faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX) and Mercedes EQA / EQB
Item	BMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX)	Mercedes EQA / EQB
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Electrical	Electrical
Displacement	—	—
Timing	—	—
Power	282–650 hp	190–292 hp
Production	since 2020^{[3][8][9][10]}	since 2021^[11]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	38Moderate risk	36Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	2
Of high or critical severity	3	2
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Cells with a damaged cathode in the high-voltage battery (fire risk) Critical severity: Protective pads for the high-voltage battery not fitted (2021 i4) High severity: Battery cell and module monitoring circuit out of specification	Critical severity: Internal short circuit in the high-voltage battery: fire risk, software update and battery replacement Critical severity: Displaced pyrofuse housing: possible pyrotechnic fuse failure and loss of power
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	iX3 (G08) 80 kWh, 286 hp (2020-2024)^[2][3]	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	i4 eDrive35 and eDrive40 rear-wheel drive (2021-)^[2][12] i4 xDrive40, M50 and M60 all-wheel drive (2022-)^[2][8] iX xDrive40, xDrive50 and M60 (2021-2025)^[2][13][14] iX xDrive45, xDrive60 and M70 (2025-)^[9][15]	EQA 250, 300 4MATIC and 350 4MATIC, 69.7 kWh (2021-present)^[4][5][6] EQA 250+, 73.9 kWh, 190 hp (2022-present)^[6][16]
AvoidVersions to avoid	None	None

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

BMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX)

Mercedes EQA / EQB

Other comparisons

With the BMW eDrive de 5.ª generación (iX3, i4, iX)

With the Mercedes EQA / EQB

Compare other engines

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

Rückruf BMW i4 und iX: Batterieproblemeauto motor und sport · Motoring press · published 24 June 2022 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
DVSA – base de llamadas a revisión (R/2021/361, R/2022/020, R/2022/330, R/2023/133, R/2023/235, R/2024/211, R/2025/274)DVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 30 October 2026
Probleme mit dem BMW iX3: typische Schwächen inkl. RückrufeCarWiki · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
Recall: Mercedes-Benz EQA (2021 - 2024) EV/Hybrid, fire (2025)car-recalls.eu · Other source · published 5 April 2025 · consulted 30 October 2026
Recall: Mercedes-Benz EQA (2021 - 2024) EV/Hybrid, fire (2026)car-recalls.eu · Other source · published 8 March 2026 · consulted 30 October 2026
Segunda llamada a revisión de los Mercedes EQA y EQB por riesgo de incendio. Toca cambiar la bateríaAutofácil · Motoring press · published 15 April 2026 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
Recall: Mercedes-Benz EQA (2024) electronic, injury (pirofusible)car-recalls.eu · Other source · published 25 October 2024 · consulted 30 October 2026
BMW i4Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
BMW iXWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
BMW X3 (G01): sección iX3 (G08)Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
Mercedes-Benz EQAWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
Safety Gate: alerta A12/00124/22, BMW i4 (almohadillas de la batería de alta tensión)Comisión Europea – Safety Gate · Official body · published 18 January 2022 · consulted 30 October 2026
BMW iX (2022): EV/Hybrid, firecar-recalls.eu · Other source · published 21 September 2022 · consulted 30 October 2026
BMW iX Probleme (i20): Mängel, Schwachstellen und RückrufeCarWiki · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
BMW iX reliabilityAuto Express · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026
Es probable que Mercedes sustituya las baterías de los modelos EQA y EQB en Alemaniaelectrive · Motoring press · published 17 February 2026 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish