The electric steering column adjustment to move steering wheel up and/or down (tilt feature) has becomes inoperable (the telescopic adjustment feature still works). This makes proper steering wheel and air bag location impossible. It was first noticed upon starting the car at work that the steering wheel remained in the up position (entry/exit). This apparently is a known and common problem that…
2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class steering problems
severe 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
2crashes
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 11 steering complaints filed for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
The electric steering column adjustment to move steering wheel up and/or down becomes inoperable. However the in & out adjustment still works. This makes proper steering wheel and air bag location impossible. It was noticed while driving that the steering wheel was not in the proper/comfortable position. I have gone online and this apparently is a known and common problem. A plastic part…
Had steering trouble with your 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 51,000 and 85,000 miles, with the median around 56,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 51,000; a quarter make it past 85,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Mercedes-Benz/E-Class.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.