The defect
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.
The 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.
The 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.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz E350 | 2014, 2015, 2016 |
| Mercedes-Benz E400 | 2015, 2016 |
| Mercedes-Benz S550 | 2014, 2015 |
| Mercedes-Benz S600 | 2016 |
| Mercedes-Benz SL550 | 2013, 2014, 2015 |
| Mercedes-Benz SL63 | 2013, 2014 |
Components: STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
Other steering recalls in 2016
39 of the 919 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2016 concerned the steering; Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. filed 199 campaigns in all.
| 16V857000 29 Nov 2016 | Van Hool N.V. |
| 16V826000 15 Nov 2016 | Newmar Corporation |
| 16V809000 7 Nov 2016 | Daimler Trucks North America LLC |
| 16V745000 17 Oct 2016 | Entegra Coach |
| 16V743000 17 Oct 2016 | Seagrave Fire Apparatus, LLC |
| 16V720000 7 Oct 2016 | Autocar, LLC |
| 16V723000 7 Oct 2016 | Autocar Industries, LLC |
| 16V715000 6 Oct 2016 | Newmar Corporation |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2016