TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ R350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED AS THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXTREME FORCE IN ORDER TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING OIL PRESSURE DRIVING PIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. TH…
2008 Mercedes-Benz R-Class steering problems
moderate 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$700
What owners are reporting 8 most recent
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ R350V2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC LEVELING BECAME DEFECTIVE WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH. IN ADDITION, THE LEVELING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V682000 (STEERING)…
COOLANT TANK AND PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED AFTER LEARNING THAT OIL WAS LEAKING INTO THE TANK. EUROFIX IN NASHVILLE TN STATED ITS GOING TO ALWAYS HAPPEN. I WILL HAVE TO HAVE IT FLUSHED EVERY 3,000 MILES DUE TO THE LEAKAGE IS NON REPAIRABLE. STEERING PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED JUST FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE PART. AM I ABLE TO BE REIMBURSED VIA THE MERCEDES MANUFACTURER? THIS CAR SHOULD BE REPL…
THIS VEHICLE HAS A BALANCE SHAFT AND INTAKE MANIFOLD ISSUE AS WELL AS A AIR SUSPENSION PROBLEM. BOTH PROBLEMS ARE A MANUFACTURE DEFECT THAT IS COMMON IN OTHER MB R350 VEHICLES. MB ACCEPTS THAT THIS VEHICLE MODEL HAVE A CONGLOMERATE OF PROBLEMS AND IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY TO CREATE A RECALL. THIS VEHICLE IS ALWAYS MAINTAIN AND SERVICE BY AN AUTHORIZED MB DEALER AND THEY INSURE THAT IN ANY OF …
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ R350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SEIZE AND BECOME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING A HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THA…
GROANING SOUND FROM STEERING WHILE TURNING , LEAKAGE OF POWER STEERING FLUID REQUIRING COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING BOX ASSEMBLY. *TR
MY MERCEDES R350 SPORADICALLY BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. I NOTICED THAT THIS HAPPENS AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF CITY STREET DRIVING. THE STEERING GETS SO TIGHT THAT IT REQUIRES BOTH HANDS AND A LOT OF EFFORT TO JUST STEER THE WHEEL PARTICULARLY WHEN PARKING. BECAUSE OF THIS CONSTANT BATTLE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL I STARTED FEELING PAIN ON MY SHOULDER. THE STEERING WHEEL FLUID LEVEL IS FINE AND T…
CAR OCCASIONALLY DIFFICULT TO STEER AFTER DRIVING FOR DISTANCE IN MOUNTAINS. FLUID LEVELS APPEAR TO BE OK BUT PASSERBY'S TELL ME THEY CAN HEAR STEERING NOISE THAT I DO NOT HEAR INSIDE WHEN DRIVING. I SAW THAT THERE IS RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE AND STEERING RACK PIN- WONDERING IF MY VEHICLE IS PART OF RECALL TO BE REPAIRED BY MERCEDES.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2008 Mercedes-Benz R-Class?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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