Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-benz gle350. The contact received an interim recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 17v241000 (steering). The contact stated that the dealer (Mercedes-benz of south mississippi, 11619 bobby eleuterius blvd, d'iberville, ms 39540, (228) 265-9185) indicated that they would order the parts. The contact had not received a response after several calls to the…
2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class steering problems
severe Owners of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class have filed 15 NHTSA complaints about the steering at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 GLE-Class (this page) | 15 |
| 2017 GLE-Class | 7 |
| 2018 GLE-Class | 4 |
1crash
What stands out
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2016 GLE-Class vehicles describe power steering assist cutting out without warning while driving at various speeds—20 mph, 40 mph, highway speeds. When it happens, the steering reverts to full manual mode, requiring excessive force to maneuver. One owner crashed into a guard rail after losing power assist and saw the warning message after impact. Mercedes-Benz issued recall campaign 17V241000 addressing power steering connector sealing issues, acknowledging increased crash risk, but told owners they have no parts in stock and cannot guarantee the vehicle is safe to drive.
An active curve system shows oil leaking and foaming from the fluid canister with burning odor—a fire hazard per one owner—requiring a $6,984 repair not covered by CPO warranty. Some GLE models are included in recall 18V27200 for this system; others aren't, despite identical symptoms.
A steering box produces abnormal noise at 70,000 miles. One owner reports steering column sensor failure at 31,000 miles, killing blind spot assist and making turn signals drop out intermittently until the car restarts.
Parts availability is the recurring headache: dealers across multiple states confirm recall parts on backorder nationwide with no timeline for delivery. Owners waited months or were told to park the vehicle until Mercedes could supply components.
Failure modes owners describe
Power Steering Assist Deactivation / Loss of Power Steering
Electric power steering system loses assist function, reverting to manual steering with excessive force required. Owners report complete loss of power assist at various speeds, increasing steering effort dramatically and creating crash risk. One owner experienced power steering failure while driving 20 mph, resulting in collision with guard rail.
When: 110,000 miles reported in two cases; one case at 31,000 miles; timing varies—mid-drive and after parking periods
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering assist stops functioning; Excessive steering wheel force required; "Power steering" or "Power Steering Malfunction" warning message displayed; Reversion to manual steering control
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 17V241000 (Steering)
Repairs/costs cited: Repair shop diagnosed failed electric power steering and control module; no successful repairs documented. Mercedes-Benz stated parts unavailable for recall remedy. One dealer quoted $6,984 to repair active curve system (related steering component).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 17V241000 (Steering); manufacturer stated parts not available for recall remedy and could not guarantee 100% vehicle safety. Owners informed parts would be available "in a month or so" but no timeline confirmed. Some owners not notified of recall despite defect present.
Active Curve System Oil Leak and Overheating
Active curve control system leaks hydraulic fluid, creating visible oil foaming from fluid canister and burning odor. Owner reports fire hazard concern due to leaking oil and heat generation within the system.
When: Timing not specified; vehicle under CPO warranty
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leaking from active curve system; Foaming fluid visible in canister; Burning oil smell; Error message displayed when turning curves
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 18V27200 (Active Curve System)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer quoted $6,984 to repair active curve system; owner's CPO warranty did not cover repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Some 2016 GLE models included in recall campaign 18V27200; not all VINs covered. Warranty claim denied under CPO coverage.
Steering Box Abnormal Noise
Steering box produces abnormal sound during operation at various speeds. No diagnostic testing performed and no warning lights illuminated. Owner associated failure with recall campaign but vehicle VIN not included in recall scope.
When: Approximately 70,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal sound from steering box
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 17V241000 (Steering) - VIN not included
Repairs/costs cited: No repair or diagnosis performed by dealer
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Vehicle VIN not included in recall campaign despite reported symptom similarity.
Steering Column Sensor Failure / Turn Signal and Blind Spot Assist Malfunction
Steering column sensor failure causes intermittent loss of turn signal functionality and blind spot assist system failure. Symptoms resolve temporarily after vehicle restart but recur at unpredictable intervals.
When: 31,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Blind spot assist system inoperative; Turn signals periodically non-functional; Functionality restores after vehicle shutdown and restart; Intermittent failures at varying intervals
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had steering trouble with your 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE-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 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class?
It's a meaningful issue. 15 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 15 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 59,448 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2016/Mercedes-Benz/GLE-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.