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Mercedes-Benz E 350 Recall 16V899: Steering assist may cut out; fire risk when parked

NHTSA campaign 16V899, reported December 14, 2016, 70 vehicles potentially affected.

What this recall means for you

A steering control unit in these vehicles may have improperly soldered contacts that can lose connection. If that happens, electric power steering assist can shut off while driving, making the car harder to steer and raising the risk of a crash. Increased electrical resistance at those contacts can also cause a fire, even when the vehicle is parked with the ignition off.

Mercedes-Benz will notify owners of affected vehicles. Dealers will replace the electric power steering control unit free of charge. The recall began October 13, 2017.

You can contact Mercedes-Benz USA customer service at 1-800-367-6372 for more information. Check your vehicle identification number (VIN) for open recalls, and schedule the free repair at an authorized dealer as soon as possible.

Check whether this recall is open on your vehicle

The repair is normally free at an authorized dealer.

Official recall notice

Safety recall 16V899Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.
Component
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
Problem
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 SL550, 2013-2014 SL63 AMG, 2014-2016 E350, 2014 E350 Cabriolet, E350 Coupe, 2014-2015 S550, 2015 E350 Bluetec, 2015-2016 E400, 2016 E550 Coupe, and Maybach S600 vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to August 14, 2015. The affected vehicles use an electric power steering system that may have improperly soldered contacts inside the control unit, potentially resulting in the power steering system deactivating while driving.
Risk
If the control unit pins lose connection, there would be a loss of electric power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash. The increase in pin contact resistance can also increase the risk of a fire, even while the vehicle is parked and ignition is off.
Remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric power steering control unit, free of charge. The recall began October 13, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Affected vehicles

Mercedes-Benz E 350201420152016
Mercedes-Benz E 40020152016
Mercedes-Benz S55020142015
Mercedes-Benz S6002016
Mercedes-Benz SL 550201320142015
Mercedes-Benz SL6320132014