Mercedes-Benz C300 Steering Problems

Steering complaints by model year

Which parts fail

• Column
  4
• Column locking › Anti-theft device
  2
• Hydraulic power assist › Power steering fluid
  1
• Rack and pinion
  1

Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  144%
• 25k–50k
  4213%
• 50k–75k
  10531%
• 75k–100k
  9328%
• 100k–150k
  7021%
• 150k+
  113%

What owners report

The contact owns a 2019 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH and making a left turn, the steering made an abnormal sound. The contact pulled into the nearest parking lot, where the steering wheel locked. There were messages for the brake assist and the rear sensors displayed. The contact stated that he turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering rack was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V850000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not cover the repair because the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.

On Tuesday, the steering wheel failed to operate while making a left turn. While making a left turn the steering wheel locked and the brakes did not function to stop the vehicle. The vehicle continued to steer to the left and I almost hit another vehicle head on. What stopped my vehicle was the emergency brake system activated by almost hitting the other vehicle head on. They luckily saw me head on and tried to quickly move out the way. This happened two times the second time Thursday, there was a school bus to the left of me my car. I was not making a left turn but on a road that the curve went left and the steering wheel locked in that position. My wheel was locked and failed to stop for about 45 seconds with no car in front to trigger the emergency brakes. Immediately to my left was a school bus. …

While driving in a curved onramp connecting from one street to another the vehicle experienced a complete loss of steering ability which resulted in the vehicle continuing to move straight, off the pavement, and into a wall. The vehicle bounced off of the wall and loss of steering ability continued and the vehicle could not be controlled, crossed the road, went over a guardrail, and down an embankment until it came to a stop (approx 100ft). The vehicle engine never turned off until it came to a stop at which point the vehicle was manually turned off. No airbags deployed. There were no warning lights or signals of failing components prior to the loss of steering. An initial review by the body shop states that the vehicle is a total loss. The vehicle has been meticulously dealer maintained since the time of delivery as a new vehicle. …

The contact owns a 2018 Mercedes-Benz C300. While driving at various speeds, the contact could hear an abnormal sound from the transmission. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to a local dealer for diagnosis, but the failure could not be replicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.

I was driving on a straight away doing the speed limit which is reported seconds before the car crash. The steering wheel turned to the left really hard out of no where and wouldn't let me gain control over the car again. I was sober it was 9am and I was aware of my driving. I ended up spinning out and landed in the ditch feet away from the light pole. I made it know to everyone what happened, but they looked at me crazy. I stopped driving that car and sent it back to Mercedes to get a detailed inspection. Which lasted about 30 days for them to get back to me about what happened. When I received the call to get my car they didn't provide any information about the incident. Instead they just sent it to corporate and left me in the dark. I was in pain during this whole time. I was couldn't find a lawyer that was willing to help. …

The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and attempting to make a turn, the steering wheel was significantly difficult to turn. The contact stated that he was able to drive the vehicle however, an extra effort was needed to steer the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to the local Pep Boys who informed the contact that they could not duplicate the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V850000 (Steering). The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while reversing at approximately 10 MPH, there was a clunking sound coming from the steering wheel. The contact shifted into drive and while driving approximately 15-20 MPH, the clunking sound persisted, and the steering wheel seized. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the aluminum bolts in the drive shaft had corroded and sheared off. The contact was informed that the steering rack and bolts needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The dealer had been informed of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the Service Campaign Number: 2019080019 (Steering). The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed the Service Campaign Number: 2019080019 (Steering). …

The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and turning the steering wheel, the contact became aware that the vehicle had lost power steering functionality. The contact drove around for a while before driving back to the garage. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the power steering functionality had not returned. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the power steering had failed, and a software update was needed. The vehicle had been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed there were no recalls on the VIN. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 30,810.

Related recalls (8)