The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the message "Power Steering Malfunction. See Operator Manual" was displayed. The steering became extremely difficult to turn. The contact was unable to maneuver the steering wheel and stopped the vehicle. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road with the assistance of a bystander who drove the…
2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class steering problems
severe Owners of the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class have filed 8 NHTSA complaints about the steering at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
8
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 GLE-Class | 16 |
| 2017 GLE-Class (this page) | 8 |
| 2018 GLE-Class | 4 |
1crash
What stands out
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
The vehicle only has about 10K+ miles but encountered "Power Steering Malfunction See Operator’s Manual" error message, and then the Power Steering stopped working, became stiff, and could not be moved. The vehicle got stuck in the mid of the road becoming very dangerous for the driver, passengers, and all other moving vehicles on the road too. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who said that…
2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE350, VIN [XXX]. While driving, the vehicle intermittently displays multiple warning lights/messages and the power-steering assistance intermittently becomes heavy/stiff. The warnings rapidly appear and disappear and the problem can occur repeatedly while the vehicle is being driven. Pressing/tapping around the front passenger-side floor/kick-panel area can sometimes cause…
Had steering trouble with your 2017 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 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class?
It's a meaningful issue. 8 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
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.
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/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.