Home › Guides › Mercedes-Benz › Steering
Why do Mercedes-Benz steering recalls keep hitting Sprinter vans?
⚠ 1 of these recalls carries a do-not-drive advisory.
Five of these eight recalls come down to fasteners or hoses. Sprinter vans carry most of the group: 2019 VS30 vans whose steering shaft could disconnect from the steering gear, 2019 Sprinters with loose steering spindle intermediate bearing screws, a batch built without the steering column casing cover, and 2015-2020 Sprinters whose hydraulic power steering return hoses could detach and leak. The 2018-2019 Metris had an improperly manufactured sensor inside its electric power steering unit. Two passenger-car recalls finish the list: 2023-2026 EQE and GLC models with an improperly tightened steering coupling bolt, and 2021-2022 C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS, SL, AMG GT 4-door and EQS cars with heated leather steering wheels whose hands-off detection software could fail.
Warning signs to watch for
- Steering assist suddenly disappearing or the steering going heavy while driving, as described in the Metris and Sprinter hydraulic hose recalls.
- Hydraulic fluid leaking or pooling under the front of a Sprinter.
- An exposed steering column area on a 2019 Sprinter built without its casing cover.
- On DISTRONIC-equipped cars with a heated leather wheel, the system may fail to detect that your hands are off the wheel.
- The Sprinter shaft-disconnect and EQE/GLC coupling bolt recalls state that steering can be lost without warning, so there may be no sign at all beforehand.
Is it safe to keep driving?
One recall here is a stop-driving order: owners of 2019 Sprinter VS30 vans in the January 2019 steering shaft recall were told to stop driving immediately until the bolts are inspected and tightened. None of the other seven tells owners to park the vehicle or park outside, so driving until the repair is acceptable. Mercedes issued no park-it order for the 2023-2026 EQE and GLC coupling bolt, but treat it as urgent. On Sprinters covered by the hose recalls, stop driving if fluid is leaking or the steering suddenly stiffens.
What the free repair involves
The repairs are mostly mechanical. Dealers inspect and tighten the steering shaft or steering coupling bolts, replace and properly tighten the steering spindle intermediate bearing screws, fit a steering column that has its cover, check and correct the power steering return line connections, or install a screw-type clamp. Metris vans get a replacement electric power steering unit. The hands-off recall is a control unit software update. All work is free of charge.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| critical | 2 |
| high | 5 |
| medium | 1 |
Models affected most
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-08-20 | Mercedes-Benz EQE and GLC steering bolt may loosen | critical |
| 2022-03-25 | Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 and CLS53 hands-off detection may fail | medium |
| 2021-04-06 | Mercedes-Benz Sprinter may lose power steering from leaking hose | high |
| 2020-10-28 | Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans can lose power steering suddenly | high |
| 2020-02-25 | Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Steering Shaft Screws May Come Loose | high |
| 2020-02-25 | Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans missing steering column cover | high |
| 2019-06-25 | Mercedes-Benz Metris may lose power steering assist suddenly | high |
| 2019-01-31 | Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van steering can disconnect without warning · do not drive | critical |
Common questions
My van is a 2019 Sprinter — which steering recall applies to me?
Possibly several. 2019 VS30 vans are covered by the stop-driving shaft recall, while 2019 Sprinter 1500 and 4500 models appear in the spindle screw, missing column cover, and hydraulic return hose recalls. Only a VIN check tells you which ones are open.
Is the heated steering wheel recall actually about losing steering control?
No. Those 2021-2022 C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, CLS, SL, AMG GT 4-door and EQS cars steer normally. A software error means DISTRONIC may not detect your hands are off the wheel, so keep your hands on it and stay in control.
My Sprinter's steering already feels heavy — should I wait for the appointment?
No. The notices describe steering assist disappearing without warning and hydraulic fluid leaking from detached return line hoses. Have any leak or sudden stiffening looked at right away rather than waiting. Owners can contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.