A recall does not mean your car is affected. Check the market, build date and VIN with the manufacturer.
- Engine / equipment
- Electric power steering control unit: Mercedes-Benz SL (R231), E-Class and S-Class
- Period mentioned
- In the USA, built from 23/8/2012 to 14/8/2015; in the UK, only the VINs in the recall
- Symptoms
- The steering wheel suddenly becomes very heavy because the power steering stops assisting while you drive.
- Possible cause described
- Inside the electric power steering control unit, some contacts may not have been soldered properly. If they lose connection, the steering switches off and assistance is lost; according to NHTSA, the higher resistance in those contacts can also cause a fire, even with the car parked and the ignition off. In the UK it is recall R/2017/073 (Mercedes SRPC1704: SL, C-Class and E-Class); in the USA, 16V899 (2013–2015 SL 550, 2013–2014 SL 63 AMG, several 2014–2016 E-Class models and 2014–2015 S 550).
- Check for the garage
- Ask a Mercedes-Benz dealer, with the VIN, whether your car has this recall outstanding: they replace the steering control unit free of charge. If the wheel suddenly goes heavy, hold it firmly, stop somewhere safe and do not drive on.
- Cost cited in the source
- No verified estimate; check whether the free recall remedy remains outstanding for the VIN.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.