Recall 16V899 covers 70 2013-2016 Mercedes-Benz vehicles with improperly soldered electric power steering control units. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 70 2013-2016 E350, S550, SL550, S600, E400, and SL63 vehicles because soldered contacts inside the electric power steering control unit can lose connection. The defect can shut off power steering assist while driving and raise fire risk even while parked, and the Mercedes-Benz dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The electric power steering system on affected 2013-2016 Mercedes-Benz E350, S550, SL550, S600, E400, and SL63 vehicles uses an electric motor and control unit to add steering assist. When it works normally, the system reduces the force needed at the steering wheel, especially during parking and low-speed turns. The driver still steers the vehicle, but the assist keeps that effort manageable.
On these vehicles, contacts inside the steering control unit were improperly soldered. A weak solder joint can interrupt the electrical connection the control unit needs to keep the assist active. If that connection opens while driving, the power steering assist can shut off without the steering wheel itself disconnecting from the road wheels.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first thing an owner notices is the steering wheel becoming much harder to turn after the assist deactivates.
Who's affected?
Spans E350, E400, S550, S600, SL550, and SL63 models across 2013-2016, all tied to the power steering system.
| 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350 | power steering system |
|---|---|
| 2014 Mercedes-Benz S550 | power steering system |
| 2014 Mercedes-Benz SL550 | power steering system |
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550 | power steering system |
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz E350 | power steering system |
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz E350 | power steering system |
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz S600 | power steering system |
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz E400 | power steering system |
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz SL550 | power steering system |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550 | power steering system |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL63 | power steering system |
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz E400 | power steering system |
| 2014 Mercedes-Benz SL63 | power steering system |
| Units affected | 70 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
Loss of electric power steering assist makes the vehicle harder to steer and increases crash risk. Higher contact resistance in the control unit also raises fire risk, including while parked with the ignition off. No warning sign is listed, so schedule recall service soon and call the dealer if steering assist changes. Repair will be free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013-2016 Mercedes-Benz E350, S550, SL550, S600, E400, or SL63 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to ask whether the electric power steering control unit replacement is open for your VIN.
- Ask the dealer to reference recall number 16V899 when checking the repair status.
- Bring the recall notice if Mercedes-Benz mailed one, or give the dealer your VIN and recall number 16V899.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, and stop in a safe place if the steering assist drops out.
What happens at the repair
Mercedes-Benz identifies the dealer repair as replacement of the electric power steering control unit. Once the repair is available for your VIN, a Mercedes-Benz technician will remove the affected control unit and install the replacement unit at no charge. The recall repair covers parts and labor. The remedy notice says the recall began October 13, 2017, so ask the service desk to confirm parts availability when you schedule.
Timeline
| December 14, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 13, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V899?
Recall 16V899 covers 70 2013-2016 Mercedes-Benz E350, S550, SL550, S600, E400, and SL63 vehicles with improperly soldered contacts inside the electric power steering control unit. Mercedes-Benz dealers replace the control unit for free.
What should I do if my 2013-2016 Mercedes-Benz E350, S550, SL550, S600, E400, or SL63 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 16V899. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule replacement of the electric power steering control unit. Reference recall number 16V899 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Mercedes-Benz's remedy says dealers will replace the electric power steering control unit free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of electric power steering assist, which raises crash risk. The same contact problem also raises fire risk, even when the vehicle is parked and the ignition is off. If your VIN is included, arrange the free dealer repair.
What if I bought this Mercedes-Benz used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Mercedes-Benz is included, then contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer and give them recall number 16V899.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V899000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V899 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V899000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) - Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →