Should I buy a 2019 Mercedes-Benz S-Class with documented steering problems?

Depends on the price and the specific vehicle. Documented steering issues should be priced into the purchase — if the seller is asking full retail, negotiate down by the expected repair cost. A pre-purchase inspection from an independent shop tells you whether THIS specific vehicle has already shown the symptoms or not.

2019 Mercedes-Benz S-Class steering problems

moderate 3 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700

Complaints

Recalls

Crashes

Avg fix

$700

What owners are reporting 3 most recent

steering · filed 03/27/2021

THE STEERING SHIFTER WOULD NOT CHANGE THE CAR INTO PARK NOR NEW RAM, FROM DRIVE. AFF'L, THE SHIFTER INSTEAD BEGAN OPERATING THE NAVIGATION MAP CURSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY EACH OF THE 3 TIMES IT HAPPENED IN ONE DAY.

steering · filed 03/02/2021

FROM DAY ONE DELIVERY, CAR TECHNOLOGY DIDN'T WORK. A COUPLE OF MONTHS, MORE PROBLEMS BEGAN: ODD SECURITY WARNINGS - CAR WOULDN'T LET ME PUT INTO PARK, NOR NEUTRAL, NOR REVERSE. THIS OCCURRED 3 TIMES, SETTING STILL, IN 3 RURAL LOCATIONS. INSTEAD THE SHIFTER OPERATED THE CENTRAL NAVIGATION MAP DIRECTIONS! TWO DEALERS COULDN'T FIX. INVESTIGATION INTO HISTORY, THE CAR HAD UNDISCLOSED DAMAGE TO THE ST…

steering · filed 01/30/2022

The adjustment up and down of the vehicle's steering column regularly sticks in the full "up" position and then cannot be easily re-adjusted. I have taken the vehicle in three times for servicing of this problem and the dealer solution was to only re-lubricate bearings and gears. Finally after problem has become more acute has the Mercedes dealer agreed to replace steering column in total.

Common questions

How serious is the steering problem on the 2019 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.

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.

Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database. 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.