Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 20% | — |
| 2025 | 1 | 20% | — |
| 2024 | 1 | 13% | — |
| 2016 | 5 | 10% | 39,000 miles |
| 2015 | 5 | 16% | 55,000 miles |
| 2014 | 27 | 10% | 50,000 miles |
| 2013 | 10 | 6% | 54,000 miles |
| 2012 | 9 | 4% | 70,000 miles |
| 2011 | 11 | 5% | 90,000 miles |
| 2010 | 8 | 4% | 183,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 2% | 157,000 miles |
| 2008 | 4 | 2% | 125,000 miles |
| 2007 | 3 | 1% | 68,000 miles |
| 2006 | 6 | 2% | 126,000 miles |
| 2005 | 1 | 7% | 183,000 miles |
| 2003 | 1 | 14% | 10,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I was driving my husband's 2016 E350 at 45 mph when the car accelerated. I attempted to control the speed by braking but the brake did not respond well. The steering wheel was also loose. The car sped up and turned left to the opposite side of the road, crossed the two lanes and hit the fence followed by a tree. The car was totaled, and the tree broke down at its branches. I survived the crush with two fractures on my back and on my left thumb.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz E350. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the steering system suddenly malfunctioned and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn. The contact's vehicle crashed into a second vehicle. During the crash, the message "malfunction" displayed on the instrument panel. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact sustained lacerations to both hands during the crash, but medical attention was not required. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 2,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to steer in either direction. No warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure NHTSA Campaign: 16V899000(Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.
On [redacted] I went out and started my car and it said. Power steering was my function so I turned it off and tried it again. And it said the same thing. Power steering malfunction read the owner's menu which I did is said if you can steal it. Drive it to the nearest dealership. You can't park it Well, it was already parked in my driveway. So on June 13th. I had a toll to Feldmann Import in Bloomington MN I hate to think of what would happen if I was driving. Could it cause an accident? They confirmed that it was a problem with the stirring call at first I thought it was a leak. Turns it off that This is electrical steroid. The electronics on this during column went out. The report said it was no can message was received from the unit in 68. VS steering control unit. There was no warning that the power Stern was going to go out. …
Have purchased a 2014 mercedes E350 59k miles. This vehicle has an issue as so do many Mercedes with their rear subframes rotted out at the control arm bracket which causes the rear link/thrust arm to detach from the subframe/axle carrier and posses a danger when breaking due to the rear spindle assembly flexing throwing the wheels out of alignment and could be at risk for a car crack. This vehicle has already been in a minor crash as a result of this issue. I personally have not brought it to Mercedes to get it diagnosed inspected or the police law enforcement but there are many cases online on the Mercedes Benz forums to which this has also happened to. This issue applies to other Mercedes models ranging from 2010 all the way to 2016. Videos of the exact vehicle brought to an independent shop available upon request.
On 11/24/23 Mercedes Benz had replaced my subframe which was part of a safety recall. When I arrived home after picking up my vehicle, there was a loud bang from under the vehicle. I immediately called the service department and told them about what happened and also complained that the steering wheel was cocked to the left and pulling in that direction. My service advisor John advised me to bring it back the next day which I did. They never told me what caused the loud bang, but they did say another front end alignment was done. The vehicle still continued to pull and the steering wheel was still off center. On [redacted] I took my car to Mr. Tire for a tire rotation because the car continued to sway and jolt when going over bumps. It also made a popping noise when making a sharp turn. Then on [redacted] as I was driving, the car pulled or slid to the left. …
The contact owns a 2013 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the power steering function was inoperable, and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a fractured steering box. The contact was informed that the steering box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the parts to complete the repair were on backorder. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.
Contacted Mercedes because Dealer said it was a common problem. Airbag light was on. I was told that airbags could unsafely deploy as driving the vehicle and the issue was connected to the steering column. After looking online, I found that there are several drivers that could be in unsafe conditions while driving the car who reported the same thing. I contacted Mercedes to advise and Mercedes was dismissive. My concern is for innocent people that could be in danger because of Mercedes defects or possible negligence in addressing the safety issue that could lead to the loss of life.
Related recalls (2)
Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2022 C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL, EClass Coupe/Convertible, CLS, AMG GT 4-doors Coupe, and EQS vehicles with a heated leather steering wheel.
Remedy: Dealers will update the hand detection control unit software for the DISTRONIC system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 6, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Steering › Electric power assist system
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 SL550, 2013-2014 SL63 AMG, 2014-2016 E350, 2014 E350 Cabriolet, E350 Coupe, 2014-2015 S550, 2015 E350 Bluetec, 2015-2016 E400, 2016 E550 Coupe, and Maybach S600 vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to August 14, 2015.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric power steering control unit, free of charge. The recall began October 13, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mercedes-Benz E350 years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2014 (27), 2011 (11), 2013 (10), 2012 (9) and 2010 (8) model years. Steering complaints make up 10% of all complaints for the 2014.
Is there a recall for Mercedes-Benz E350 steering problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 22V-189 (steering wheel/handle bar, Mar 25, 2022); 16V-899 (electric power assist system, Dec 14, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mercedes-Benz E350 steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 76,000 miles; 34% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the column (1 mentions), followed by the steering control module (1).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.