Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 8 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
While I was driving the Issues with the steering column module (SCM) sudden loss of critical driver controls, erratic electrical behavior. It failed to communicate properly with the power steering system, alongside dashboard warnings for the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and Antilock Braking System (ABS) now my car is parked and I can’t drive it. I had to call a tow truck to take it home.
The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low battery warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to a nearby parking lot. The contact parked the vehicle and opened the hood. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed pieces of the serpentine belt on the engine. The contact turned the vehicle off. The contact went to a nearby Auto Parts store and purchased a new serpentine belt. The contact replaced the serpentine belt, and the vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact stated that upon checking the data on the instrument panel, the contact became aware of several error messages. In addition, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. The contact stated that the steering wheel had seized. The contact turned off the vehicle and the steering wheel functionality returned. The contact stated that the low coolant warning light illuminated; however, the coolant level was checked and was sufficient. Additionally, the contact stated that the drive assist warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics regarding the drive assist warning light; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 183,000.
Steering wheel stopped turning. Steering pump has failed. My 17 year old daughter got so scared while driving it. Very dangerous. Always got serviced on time. It has only 76500 miles on it. The mechanic has no idea how this happened. Cost to repair is $4500 and he is thinking maybe there is a recall for it . It got towed to the shop and it had a full service done 2 weeks before . I am glad my daughter was not driving on the highway at the time of this incident
Steering wheel lock mechanism failed
My family has owned this vehicle since 2013 when it was purchased from the local Mercedes dealership as certified pre-owned. In the past few years, we have had to have several of the rear brake lines replaced due to rust. The last time, we were told by the mechanic that the complete rear subframe would have to be replaced due to rust. Specifically the attachment points from the subframe to the rear suspension have completely rusted through. I contacted the dealership where the car was purchased. They stated they are aware of this issue on almost all of the cars of that period but offered no solution other than a repair of $5,000. Many of the cars of that era and class have serious rust issues but Mercedes chooses to do nothing about it. This is a serious safety issue because the entire rear suspension and brakes attach to the subframe and could come loose at any point while driving. I would like this to be repaired by the manufacturer. Thank you
WHILE UNDERWAY LOST ALL STEERING. STEERING WHEEL WENT TO CENTER AND WOULD NOT TURN WITHOUT EXTREME EXTREME EXCESSIVE FORCE. REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP. ON ROAD TEST FOUND SAME CONDITION. REMOVED HIGH-PRESSURE LINE FROM PUMP TO STEERING RACK AND FOUND PLASTIC LINER FROM THE RUBBER SECTION OF THE HIGH-PRESSURE LINE BROKE FREE AND WAS FORCED INTO THE STEERING RACK CLOGGING THE STEERING LINE. THIS WAS CLOSE TO A HIGH SPEED COLLISION.
WHINING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE. GETS LOUDER AS IT GOES FASTER. TOOK IT A MBZ DEALER IN LYNNWOOD WASHINGTON. THEY SAID THE CAR NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE CAR HAS 57K MILES. DEALER SAYS ITS VERY UNUSUAL..... STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THIS HAPPENED WHEN TURNING THE CORNER IN A HEAVY TRAFFIC. TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE HAD TO REPLACE A PUMP? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MERCEDES BENZ E350. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO STEER THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS NO STEERING FLUID, THE CONTACT REFILLED THE VEHICLE WITH STEERING FLUID, BUT THE FLUID DEPLETED AT A FASTER RATE THAN USUAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAL AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,700. MA 10/19/15 THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN 2011 UNDER RECALL BUT, THE FAILURE RECURRED. UPDATED 03/21/2016*JS *CN
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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