Recall 18V850 covers 6,373 2015-2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, E-Class, CLS, and AMG vehicles for a steering-rack locknut defect. Free repair at a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 6,373 2015-2019 rear-wheel drive vehicles, including C 300, C300, E 300, and AMG C63 models, under recall 18V850 because a steering rack locknut can break under high load and leave the steering stuck in one position. A vehicle that cannot be steered properly has an increased crash risk, and the Mercedes-Benz dealer repair is free.
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What's wrong?
The steering rack on the 2015-2019 Mercedes-Benz C 300, C300, C 350 E, AMG C63, AMG C63S, E 300, E 400, E 450, and Cls 450 turns the driver's steering input into movement at the front wheels. Inside that rack, a locknut helps hold the steering assembly in position while the rack handles load from turning, road force, and parking maneuvers.
On affected vehicles, the locknut came from a batch with internal cracks caused by a production deviation at a sub-supplier. Those cracks are inside the metal, so the normal surface inspection did not find them. Under high steering load, the locknut can break. If that happens, the steering rack can become fixed, leaving the wheel stuck in one position instead of turning normally.
Drivers will not get an advance warning because of how the failure occurs. There is no warning sign before failure.
Who's affected?
Spans 9 listed models across the 2015-2019 model years, all tied to the steering system.
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz C 350 E | steering system |
|---|---|
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 | steering system |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz C 300 | steering system |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz Cls 450 | steering system |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63S | steering system |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz C 300 | steering system |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz C 350 E | steering system |
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63S | steering system |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz E 450 | steering system |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 400 | steering system |
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz C300 | steering system |
| 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 | steering system |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 | steering system |
| 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 | steering system |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 | steering system |
| 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 | steering system |
| Units affected | 6,373 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
Loss of proper steering control increases the risk of a crash. There is no advance warning before this steering-rack failure, so avoid waiting for a dashboard light or symptom. If your VIN is included, schedule the recall repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2019 Mercedes-Benz C 350 E, E 300, C 300, Cls 450, AMG C63S, E 450, E 400, C300, or AMG C63 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free steering-rack replacement that addresses the locknut that can break and make steering stick in one position.
- Bring the recall notice if Mercedes-Benz mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V850 when you call.
- Call Mercedes-Benz customer service at 1-800-367-6372 with questions about recall 18V850 or Mercedes-Benz recall 2019080012.
- Drive carefully until the repair is complete, and stop driving if the steering binds or sticks in one position.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician replaces the steering rack covered by the recall. The replacement parts and labor are free. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the existing new vehicle warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, because all involved vehicles remain covered under that warranty. If you have prior steering-rack repair paperwork, ask the Mercedes-Benz service desk how the warranty coverage applies to that repair history.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| November 29, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 17, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| December 17, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 25, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| August 23, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
| September 5, 2019 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V850?
Recall 18V850 covers 6,373 2015-2019 Mercedes-Benz rear-wheel-drive vehicles with a steering rack locknut that can break under high load. If that happens, the steering can become stuck in one position and increase crash risk. Mercedes-Benz dealers replace the steering rack for free.
What should I do if my 2015-2019 Mercedes-Benz vehicle is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 18V850. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer and schedule the steering rack replacement. Reference recall 18V850 or Mercedes-Benz recall number 2019080012 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Mercedes-Benz dealers replace the affected steering rack free of charge, including parts and labor, for vehicles included in recall 18V850.
What is the safety risk in recall 18V850?
The safety risk is loss of proper steering control. NHTSA campaign 18V850 says a steering rack locknut can break under high load, which can leave the steering stuck in one position and increase crash risk. The free dealer repair replaces the steering rack.
What if I bought my Mercedes-Benz used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Mercedes-Benz is included, then call a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer with recall 18V850 or 2019080012.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V850000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V850 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V850000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall 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 →