Steering wheel malfunction. Car parked at garage and when I went to start I got the malfunction message and the steering wheel would not turn. I called Mercedes and they will tow the car tomorrow. For a brand new 2017 Mercedes this is unacceptable.
2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class steering problems
severe 15 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
3crashes
3injuries
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 describe steering system failures across several patterns. The most common complaint is intermittent loss of electric power steering assist—the steering wheel becomes hard to turn or locks up, sometimes at startup and sometimes while driving. The 'Power Steering Malfunction' message appears on the display, though occasionally without warning lights. At least two owners experienced sudden unintended steering movement during highway driving: the steering wheel turned hard to the left without input, causing loss of control and collisions; another reported violent vibration and lateral movement that resulted in the car hitting a barrier. One owner's right rack and pinion broke, earning the car a total-loss declaration.
Separately, one owner dealt with cascading electrical failures—an incorrectly mounted alternator from manufacturing caused the drive belt to fall off repeatedly, triggering coolant and battery warnings and engine shutdown. Mercedes issued recalls 17V243000 and 18V850000 for steering, but parts have been unavailable at dealerships. One owner reports an electronic rear axle differential lock that does not function, with a recall issued but no repair appointment ever scheduled. The ESP control module failure also appears in the complaints, requiring module replacement to resolve the warning light.
Failures occur as early as 25,000 miles. Most owners were unable to get repairs completed or received no diagnosis from dealers.
Same Mercedes-Benz C-Class steering reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Electric Power Steering Malfunction / Loss of Assist
The electric power steering system intermittently loses assist or becomes inoperable, causing the steering wheel to become hard to turn or immobile. Some owners report the 'Power Steering Malfunction' message appearing on the instrument cluster; others experience loss of power steering without warning lights.
When: Range from 25,000 to 65,000 miles; failures can occur during startup or while driving at various speeds.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes very hard to turn or immobile; 'Power Steering Malfunction' message on display; Loss of power steering assist while driving; Intermittent on-and-off behavior; No warning lights in some cases
Codes mentioned: 17V243000, 18V850000
Repairs/costs cited: One owner referenced rack and pinion replacement after steering failure caused loss of control; most repairs not completed or described in detail by owners. Parts availability issues reported at dealers.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Numbers 17V243000 and 18V850000 issued for steering; one owner noted parts unavailable and manufacturer could not confirm availability timeline.
Electronic Stability Control (ESP) Warning Light / Steering Control Module Failure
The ESP warning light illuminates indicating a system malfunction, linked to a fault in the steering control module. The warning persists even after multiple engine restarts.
When: 25,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: ESP warning light illuminates and remains on; Dash display does not show Park/Drive/Reverse modes normally; Warning light does not flash or show 'OFF' status
Repairs/costs cited: Steering control module was replaced by Mercedes dealer. Exact component replaced not specified by owner.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Repaired under warranty at Mercedes Benz of Augusta dealership.
Sudden Unintended Steering Movement / Loss of Vehicle Control
The steering system causes the vehicle to veer sharply in one direction without driver input, resulting in loss of control and collisions. Two owners report sudden hard left steering; one reports violent front-end vibration and uncontrolled lateral movement.
When: One at 32,000 miles; timing not specified for others.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel turns hard to the left unexpectedly; Unable to regain control of the vehicle; Sudden vibration in front tires; Vehicle pushed violently left and right despite centered lane position; Multiple warning lights illuminated (airbags, shock, suspension, traction)
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle totaled; collision center could not determine if steering damage was pre-existing or impact-related. Rear drive unit damage found inconsistent with impact direction. No repairs completed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer contacted but provided no diagnosis. One owner believes electric steering was defective but VIN not included in steering recall.
Battery and Alternator Issues Causing Power Loss and Steering Warnings
Multiple electrical failures—battery, alternator mounting, and drive belt issues—cascade into loss of power and steering system warnings, stranding the owner multiple times. Alternator positioned incorrectly from manufacturing, causing belt to fall off repeatedly.
When: First failure 7/30/18 at unspecified mileage; repeated failures through 4/4/19.
Symptoms owners cite: Coolant malfunction light; Engine overheating and loss of AC; Battery and weak crank messages on cluster; Engine shutdown while driving; Drive belt fell off; System shutdown warning with 3-minute countdown
Codes mentioned: HR250BT-DAD4LFB, LI13.22-P-060187
Repairs/costs cited: Alternator torque corrected; V-belt replaced twice; belt tensioner replaced; battery replaced (part A0019820208 removed, A0019829108 installed). Issue recurred within days despite multiple repairs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 2018070005 performed; TSB LI13.22-P-060187 applied for alternator alignment and stress release.
Rear Axle Differential Lock Inoperative
The electronic rear axle differential lock does not function. One owner also suspects rear axle disengagement may have caused loss of vehicle control in a separate incident.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Electronic rear axle differential lock not working
Repairs/costs cited: Owner states recall was issued but was never given a repair date by manufacturer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall issued but no repair appointment provided.
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 2017 Mercedes-Benz C-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 2017 Mercedes-Benz C-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 29,827 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/2017/Mercedes-Benz/C-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.