The vehicle was parked when the steering wheel locked , and the headrest. The electrical for my headlight driver side low beam gave me a warning lamp message.
Mercedes-Benz E350 steering lock-up problems
14 of the 2,222 owner complaints about the Mercedes-Benz E350 describe steering wheel locks up, most of them for the 2011 model year.
- owner complaints
- 14
- worst model year
- 2011
- typical mileage
- 70,000
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20141
- 20133
- 20123
- 20113
- 20101
- 20081
- 20071
- 20061
Often reported together
Engine failure 4Stalling 2Won't start 1Check engine light 1ABS 1
What owners say
The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, and occasionally while starting the vehicle, the steering wheel seized, and the message “Power Steering Malfunction” was displayed. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 61,500.
Steering wheel lock module steering wheel was locked in place and vehicle wouldn’t do anything.
my car has always had an issue with the extension of the steering column. On [XXX] I had the experience of my entire steering wheel locking up totally. once I reached the repair center of Mercedes Benz I was informed that the anti theft system was no longer working. I was also informed there were several cars in the dealership with the identical same problem.. this was a very dangerous experience and has and will cost me a lot of money, as well as a safety issue as I was traveling from Atlanta to tx, 4 hrs out managed to pull off the hwy and that's where my car was towed from, leaving me in the middle of no where for 10 hrs. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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.
Steering wheel lock mechanism failed
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mercedes-benz e350. The contact stated after parking the vehicle and attempting to restart the vehicle, the electronic steering lock ceased. The vehicle was unable to shift gears. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for a diagnosis or to be repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 125,000.
The steering wheel locks up while driving so that you can't turn the wheel. The column says it is in neutral but you still can't turn the wheel. You have to turn off the car and restart it to be able to turn the wheel. It randomly occurs without warning. It occurs on city streets and on the highway. It has occurred while driving straight. Various speeds. Took it to the mercedes dealer on february 27, 2019 and they could not identify the problem. It has occurred approximately 5 times in the past 2 months.
Total steering failure. The steering locked up solid, and trying to turn the steering wheel was met with a hammering noise from under the front of the car. Fortunately, this occurred in our driveway - had it happened on the highway there would definitely been an accident. We took the car to our local repair shop (the mercedes dealer is a 1-1/2 hour drive from where we live) and they determined that the aluminum bolts holding the electric drive motor to the steering rack had corroded through and motor had fallen off. I found that there is a recall for this problem in canada, but our dealer (burlington vermont) said there is no recall in the u.s.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 mercedes-benz e350. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to mercedes-benz of jackson (455 steed rd, ridgeland, ms 39157, (601) 956-4211). It was up to the dealer and warranty company to decide who would repair the power steering control unit. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v459000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000.
Related recalls
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
- What is wrong
- 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. Due to a software error in the hand detection control unit, the hands-off detection might not detect when the driver's hands are away from the steering wheel when using the Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC system.
- Risk
- Deactivated hands-off detection will prevent DISTRONIC system features from functioning, including warnings to grab the steering wheel and calling first responders as part of the Active Emergency Stop Assist, which can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
- 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. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022040010.
Recall number 22V189000 · Recall details
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- 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. The affected vehicles use an electric power steering system that may have improperly soldered contacts inside the control unit, potentially resulting in the power steering system deactivating while driving.
- Risk
- If the control unit pins lose connection, there would be a loss of electric power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash. The increase in pin contact resistance can also increase the risk of a fire, even while the vehicle is parked and ignition is off.
- 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.
Recall number 16V899000 · Recall details
Questions about the Mercedes-Benz E350 steering lock-up
Which Mercedes-Benz E350 years have steering wheel locks up problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2011 (3 complaints), 2012 (3 complaints) and 2013 (3 complaints).
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