My steering wheel will not telescope up/down. I have had this repaired 2x's in the past 3 years. 5/2017, 6/2018, 8/2019, 12/2020 additionally, the blind spot assist notification goes off when there's not a car around me. Typically happens when I'm driving and go down a slight decline in the road.
2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class steering problems
severe Owners of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class have filed 28 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 50,000 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
28
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 E-Class | 9 |
| 2011 E-Class | 12 |
| 2012 E-Class | 12 |
| 2013 E-Class | 11 |
| 2014 E-Class (this page) | 28 |
| 2015 E-Class | 7 |
| 2016 E-Class | 9 |
| 2017 E-Class | 14 |
| 2018 E-Class | 7 |
2crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 28 steering complaints filed for the 2014 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
Of the 15 model years of Mercedes-Benz E-Class we track for steering problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 28.
Owners have filed 28 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2014 Mercedes E-Class steering system shows a pattern of critical failures spanning multiple components. The most dangerous issue is sudden power steering loss: owners report the steering wheel seizing without warning while driving at city and highway speeds, with a dashboard warning "Power Steering Malfunction" appearing as the failure occurs. Multiple owners state they nearly crashed because they could not turn the wheel except with extreme manual force at low speeds. Dealerships have identified this as a computer system fault and attempted software reprogramming with mixed results; some owners report being quoted $5,000–$6,000 for steering rack replacement. Recall 16V899000 addresses power steering failure on certain 2014 E-Class models, but affected owners report their vehicles were excluded from the recall list despite having identical symptoms.
Rear subframe corrosion is a separate structural hazard: owners describe visible rust at the control arm brackets and attachment points, with the thrust arm breaking free from the axle carrier. This causes the vehicle to fishtail during hard braking and throws the rear wheels out of alignment. One owner reported Mercedes stating the corroded subframe was "extremely unsafe" and required immediate repair; a class action lawsuit was filed in 2023. Following subframe replacement as a recall remedy, at least one owner reported the steering wheel remained off-center and pulling despite two alignment attempts by the dealer.
Owners also report intermittent lane-keep assist malfunction, steering column adjustment sticking, and engine stalling when the steering wheel is turned fully right. No manufacturer recalls or service bulletins appear to have fully addressed these issues.
Same Mercedes-Benz E-Class steering reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Power Steering Loss / Malfunction
Electric power steering system fails suddenly or intermittently while driving, rendering the steering wheel immovable or requiring excessive manual force. Dashboard displays 'Power Steering Malfunction' warning. Owners report the failure can occur at any speed, including highway, and may recur after vehicle restart.
When: Various mileages reported: 23,500 miles; 32,000 miles; 61,500 miles; 85,000 miles; 100,000 miles. Some occur immediately after dealer maintenance or software updates.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel seized or locked in place; Unable to turn steering wheel except with substantial manual force; Dashboard warning 'Power Steering Malfunction' or 'Steering Wheel Malfunction'; Power steering may intermittently reset or fail unpredictably; Failure can occur while stopped, at low speed, or while driving at highway speeds
Codes mentioned: Power steering system fault, Onboard computer failure affecting power steering
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer attempted software/computer reprogramming in some cases without resolving the issue. Some owners report being quoted $5,000–$6,000 for steering rack replacement. No repairs completed in several reported cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 16V899000 exists for power steering failure on certain 2014 E-Class models; however, affected owners report their vehicles were not included in the recall list despite identical symptoms. Some dealers stated no recall exists or that the failure was functioning 'as designed.' Mercedes service advised computer reprogramming; no nationwide service bulletin or recall update appears to have been issued.
Rear Subframe Corrosion / Structural Failure
Rear subframe develops rust and corrosion, causing control arm brackets and thrust arm attachment points to weaken or break. This compromises vehicle stability and alignment, particularly during braking and turning. Owners report the rear subframe attachment can fully detach from the axle carrier.
When: Failures observed on vehicles with 59,000+ miles; subframe corrosion appears to accelerate in salt-belt environments.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle fishtails or becomes unstable during hard braking; Wheel alignment issues; rear wheels thrown out of alignment; Rear spindle assembly flexes abnormally under braking; Visible rust and corrosion at control arm brackets and weld points; Noise or movement from rear end during driving; Car pulls or sways when going over bumps
Repairs/costs cited: Mercedes dealership confirmed subframe is 'extremely unsafe' and requires immediate repair in at least one case. No specific repair costs cited by owners. Class action lawsuit filed in February 2023.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mercedes acknowledged the rear subframe corrosion problem. A class action lawsuit was filed in 2023 for this defect affecting multiple model years (2010–2016). Owners report they were not notified of the issue or of the recall remedy despite the known problem.
Steering Column Alignment / Control Arm Detachment Post-Subframe Repair
Following subframe replacement as part of a recall, steering wheel remains off-center (cocked to the left) and the vehicle continues to pull in that direction despite front-end alignment performed by the dealer. Loud bang heard from under vehicle immediately after subframe replacement.
When: Immediately after subframe replacement recall work on 11/24/23.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel off-center after subframe recall repair; Vehicle pulls strongly to the left; Loud bang noise from under vehicle after subframe work; Car sways and jolts over bumps; Popping noise when making sharp turns; Vehicle suddenly pulls or slides to the left while driving, forcing driver to overcompensate
Repairs/costs cited: Mercedes dealership performed front-end alignment twice but did not resolve the centering issue. Cause of loud bang not disclosed to owner.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subframe recall was completed; however, dealer did not resolve the steering alignment issues that emerged post-repair.
Lane Keep Assist / Rear Brake Control Malfunction
Lane Keep Assist system operates inconsistently. When vehicle drifts across a lane line, the rear brake on the opposite side should automatically apply to correct the drift, but this function is unreliable and does not occur consistently even on consistent road markings.
When: Demonstrated on State Route 33 in Dublin, Ohio. Issue ongoing.
Symptoms owners cite: Lane Keep Assist rear brake application does not activate consistently; Inconsistent behavior even with consistent, painted road lines; Vehicle does not self-correct lane drift reliably
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mercedes case manager stated the system is functioning 'as designed' despite owner demonstration of inconsistent behavior. Owner's request for a regional engineer to ride along and observe the issue was denied. No repair was attempted.
Steering Column Adjustment Mechanism Failure
Electric steering column height adjustment sticks and will not move, trapping the steering wheel in the raised or lowered position. Issue is intermittent and has recurred multiple times after repair.
When: Multiple occurrences spanning 3+ years: 5/2017, 6/2018, 8/2019, 12/2020.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel will not telescope up or down; Adjustment mechanism sticks at top limit stop; Electric adjustment motor fails to respond
Repairs/costs cited: Repaired twice in the past 3 years; issue recurred each time.
Power Steering Loss Related to Blind Spot Sensor Corrosion
Onboard computer system failed, disabling power steering and illuminating all dashboard warning lights. Root cause identified as blind spot sensors in the rear bumper corroded due to salt exposure, triggering a computer fault that shut down power steering.
When: Occurrence date not specified.
Symptoms owners cite: All warning lights illuminate on dashboard; Power steering disabled; Motor may stall; Loss of steering, braking, and speed control; Vehicle locked in Park with 'Pre-Safe Conditions: Do Not Shift' warning
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanic identified corroded blind spot sensors as the cause. Repair details not specified.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner wrote to Mercedes but received no response.
Steering System Malfunction with Engine Stall on Full Right Turn
When turning the steering wheel fully to the right during low-speed maneuvers (reverse or parking), the engine stalls and all dashboard lights illuminate. Vehicle requires restart to continue operation. Issue recurs reliably with full right turns.
When: Occurrence during low-speed reversing and parking maneuvers.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls when steering wheel turned fully to the right; All dashboard lights illuminate; Unusual, loud idle noise (approximately 4 times louder than normal, deeper pitch) before stall; Vehicle requires restart after stall; Issue is repeatable with full right-turn steering input
Steering Rack and Assembly Failure
Steering rack and assembly fail, requiring replacement. Dashboard warning illuminates indicating the failure.
When: At approximately 85,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering warning light illuminated; Steering rack and assembly malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosed as requiring steering rack replacement; repair not completed by owner.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware; referred contact to NHTSA Hotline.
Steering Wheel Choppy / Hard Feel with Cruise Control Conflict
Steering becomes choppy or hard to turn from left to right. When cruise control is engaged, the interaction between the cruise control system and steering creates a conflict that causes the vehicle to drift off the road.
When: Occurrence during highway driving with cruise control engaged.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering response becomes choppy or hard; Difficulty turning steering wheel smoothly left to right; Cruise control and steering rack interact in unpredictable manner; Vehicle drifts off road due to steering/cruise control conflict
Synthesized from 28 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Power steering malfunction (cannot turn but the power was still on. The screen in front of driver's seat also showed the message.) suddenly happened in a second when I drove in a low speed (around 25-30). I was very very lucky enough to slide my car slowly by the curb since the traffic was not heavy. I got my car towed to the dealer which I just finished my yearly maintenance 10 days ago. They…
Had steering trouble with your 2014 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 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
It's a meaningful issue. 28 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 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 23,500 and 65,300 miles, with the median around 50,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 23,500; a quarter make it past 65,300. 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/2014/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.