Recall 17V078 affects 73 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 vehicles for a damaged shift lever module. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 73 2017 E300 vehicles because a damaged steering column-mounted shift lever module can keep the transmission from selecting the gear chosen by the driver. If the vehicle does not move forward or backward as selected, crash risk increases; Mercedes-Benz dealers will replace the module free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The steering column-mounted shift lever module in the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 is the electronic control at the shifter on the steering column. When you move the lever into park, reverse, neutral, or drive, the module reads that command and sends the gear request to the transmission controls.
On affected E300 vehicles, a supplier production problem left a batch of steering column modules with damaged internal circuit boards. If that circuit board is damaged, the lever still moves, but the module does not send the gear command correctly. The result is that moving the shift lever does not select a transmission gear.
The instrument cluster still displays the selected drive mode correctly. That display is what an owner sees before the failure shows up, so the lever position and the actual transmission response need attention if the vehicle does not shift as expected.
Who's affected?
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 | automatic transmission |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 73 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 sedan is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
A faulty steering column shift lever module can make the vehicle fail to move forward or backward as selected, increasing crash risk. The instrument cluster still displays the selected drive mode correctly, so confirm the vehicle responds as expected before pulling into traffic or parking. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free steering-column shift lever module replacement that fixes the damaged module that can stop gear selection.
- Bring the owner notice if Mercedes-Benz sent one. If not, reference recall number 17V078 when you call.
- Stop using the vehicle and call the dealer if the shift lever does not select the gear you choose.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician replaces the steering column-mounted shift lever module covered by recall 17V078. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the new vehicle warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, because the involved vehicles remained covered under that warranty. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork for this shift lever module issue.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| February 8, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 8, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| March 5, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| March 31, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V078?
Recall 17V078 covers 73 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 vehicles with a damaged steering column-mounted shift lever module. If the internal circuit board is damaged, moving the shift lever will not select a transmission gear, increasing crash risk. Mercedes-Benz dealers will replace the module free of charge.
What should I do if my 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 17V078. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule replacement of the steering column-mounted shift lever module. Reference recall number 17V078 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 will replace the steering column-mounted shift lever module free of charge at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Is it safe to drive my 2017 Mercedes-Benz E300 before the recall repair?
This recall does not include a do-not-drive order. The safety issue is that a damaged shift lever module can stop the selected transmission gear from engaging, increasing crash risk. If gear selection feels wrong, stop driving and ask a Mercedes-Benz dealer about the safest way to move the vehicle.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V078000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V078 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V078000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notice (PDF) - Download Recall Report (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 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →