The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the power steering assist warning light illuminated, and the steering wheel became firm. The contact was able to pull over safely on the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the dealer stated that steering column was experiencing an electric failure, and that the rack and pinon needed to be replaced, and the steering module needed to be reprogramed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer stated that the VIN was not under any recall. No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 100,000.
2015 Mercedes-Benz C300: loss of power steering
7 of the 382 complaints about the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300 describe loss of power steering.
- owner complaints
- 7
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- typical mileage
- 29,000
- recalls
- 3
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls and 6 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Loss of power steering by model year
- 20192
- 20181
- 20171
- 20164
- 20157
- 20141
- 20112
- 20104
What owners say
Failed component: power steering. Mercedes Benz of Princeton did the replacement, but we're not sure if they kept the part. Safety issue: On June 14, 2022, the vehicle’s power steering failed in the middle of a drive (see attachment for the error message). This was a major risk since the car was stuck in the middle of the road, with the steering wheel requiring tremendous force to turn. Luckily, we were a few 100 feet away from home, so we just left it. Next morning the car turns on fine and there are no issues with the steering. One week later, on June 19, 2022, the issue resurfaced. This time we were driving 35mph in a public street with traffic behind us. We were barely able to pull the car over to the side of the road. We took the car to Mercedes Benz of Princeton where they diagnosed the issue and quoted $4551 to replace the entire steering rack. We also contacted MB USA to understand why our vehicle wasn't recalled as part of the federal safety agency Recall ID #15V‑845. After dragging their feet for a full month (where no updates were provided), they denied the claim. On July 22, 2022, we ended up paying the full cost of repair and lost the use of the vehicle for a full month.
Loss of steering while driving vehicle. Extremely unsafe. Error message displayed frontal left malfunction service required. Vehicle inoperable. Steering wheel just spins no control of vehicle
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 mercedes-benz c300. While driving 30 MPH, the power steering failed and became very difficult to maneuver without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the computer chip needed to be changed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 41,500.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 mercedes benz c300. The contact stated while driving at a low speed, the steering wheel emitted an abnormal noise and the power steering failed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer had not yet diagnosed the failure. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v598000 (steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 8,000.
I was driving on a rural back road at 30 miles, the power steering stopped working. A warning appeared saying "malfunction of power steering". I was able to drive home, about one mile, but with great difficulty. I called mercedes benz. They sent a tow truck and towed auto to westwood mercedes in westwood, ma. I was informed it was a software problem and it had been reprogrammed.
I started the engine and the power steering failure warning came on. True enough, it was a struggle to steer my car back home - I was just 3 minutes away from home. The car was towed the next morning to autohaus on edens in northbrook, il. I did a google search and found out that there has been a recall for this exact problem in europe since dec 2014. I was shocked that owners in the us were not warned of this potential problem and there has been no recall issued. If this had happened on the freeway, it likely would have resulted in a very serious accident and my safety could have been jeopardized. I would like other owners of the 2015 mercedes benz c class to be alerted to this potentially serious mechanical problem and the nhsta to investigate why there has been no recall issued in the us......updated 12/17/15 *bf both axles front axles had to replaced.
Service bulletins that may apply
- During part of the steering movement, it feels heavier or more difficult to steer in the same spot every time
- Height adjustment of electric steering column adjustment jammed in the top/bottom adjustment position...
- Noticeable vibrations at the steering wheel: • At speeds between 40mph and 75mph • On straight stretches...
- Loads induced at the steering wheel through pushing and pulling actions may
- Red display message in instrument cluster "Power Steering Malfunction
Related recalls
Steering: rack and pinion: rack
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Mercedes Benz C300, 2017-2019 C300 Cabrio, C300 Coupe, C63 Cabrio, 2015 C63S AMG, 2018-2019 C300, C350e, C63 AMG, C63S AMG Cabrio, 2018 C63 AMG Cabrio, C63 AMG Coupe, C63S AMG, C63S AMG Coupe, E300, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2019 CLS450, E450 Cabrio, and E450 Coupe rear-wheel drive vehicles. A locknut in the steering rack may break under high load, possibly causing the steering to become stuck in one position.
- Risk
- A car that cannot be properly steered has an increased risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering rack, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019080012.
Recall number 18V850000 · Recall details
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015 C300 and C400 4matic sedans manufactured January 27, 2014, to December 1, 2014. Due to an error in the electric power steering control unit software, the affected vehicles may have a loss of electric power steering assist.
- Risk
- If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the power steering software, free of charge. The recall began in January 15, 2016. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372.
Recall number 15V845000 · Recall details
Steering
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015 C300 4Matic and C400 4Matic vehicles manufactured March 28, 2014, to September 18, 2014. If the steering coupling interlock mechanism is not locked in place, the sliding shaft, which is part of the steering column, could become disengaged from the steering coupling socket due to vibrations, steering thrust, or load feedback from the road surface.
- Risk
- If the sliding shaft becomes disengaged from the steering coupling socket, the driver may experience noises, steering backlash, and in a worst case, loss of steering control, which may increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- MBUSA has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the steering coupling interlock mechanism to verify that it is in the locked position, free of charge. The recall began on October 1, 2014. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2014090008.
Recall number 14V598000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300 power steering loss
Is loss of power steering a common problem on the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300?
7 of 382 owner complaints about the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300 (2%) mention loss of power steering. The model year with the most reports is 2015.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300?
There are 3 recalls and 6 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300
Check engine light 59Fuel smell 33Engine failure 18Fuel leak 14Loss of power 14Stalling 12Sunroof shattered 9Fuel pump 7Backup camera 6Misfire 5
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