Recall 18V908 covers 5,754 2018 Mercedes-Maybach S 560 4MATIC, AMG S63, S 450, and S560 vehicles. Free steering-boot repair at any franchised Mercedes-Maybach dealer.
Mercedes-Maybach is recalling 5,754 2018 S 560 4MATIC, AMG S63, S 450, and S560 vehicles because an incorrectly installed steering boot can let Active Steering Assist stay engaged after the driver takes hands off the wheel. This can leave the system active during driver inattention and increase crash risk; Mercedes-Maybach dealers will correct the steering boot installation free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The Active Steering Assist system in the 2018 Mercedes-Maybach S 560 4MATIC, AMG S63, S 450, and S560 helps keep the vehicle centered in its lane by adding steering assistance. It is designed to assist the driver, not replace the driver, so it depends on steering hardware and control unit signals to recognize when hands are no longer on the wheel.
On affected vehicles, the steering boot was installed outside the specified position. Mercedes-Benz also found incorrect steering control unit software parameters during its investigation. Together, those conditions interfere with hands-on detection, so Active Steering Assist can stay engaged after the driver has left hands off the wheel longer than intended.
The warning sign is the missing warning itself. If the driver's hands are off the steering wheel for more than 10 seconds and the defined alerts do not appear, the system is not responding as intended. Keep hands on the wheel and treat any missing hands-off warning as a defect to report to the dealer.
Who's affected?
Covers four 2018 sedan variants involving steering assist and the electric power-assist system.
| 2018 Mercedes-Maybach S 560 4MATIC | Steering assist |
|---|---|
| 2018 Mercedes-Maybach S 560 4MATIC | power steering system |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG S63 | Steering assist |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG S63 | power steering system |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz S 450 | Steering assist |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz S 450 | power steering system |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz S560 | Steering assist |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz S560 | power steering system |
| Units affected | 5,754 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 2 field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific sedan.
What's the safety risk?
If the driver assistance system stays active after the driver takes both hands off the wheel, inattention increases crash risk. A missing hands-off warning after more than 10 seconds is the sign to take over fully, drive cautiously, and schedule service. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Maybach dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 Mercedes-Maybach S 560 4MATIC, AMG S63, S 450, or S560 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mercedes-Maybach dealer to schedule the free inspection and steering-boot correction that fixes the Active Steering Assist fault.
- Bring the owner notice if you received one. If not, reference recall number 18V908 when you call.
- Keep both hands on the wheel and stay ready to steer until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mercedes-Maybach technician inspects the steering boot installation and corrects it if needed so Active Steering Assist responds as intended when the driver is not holding the wheel. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor tied to the inspection and correction. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the New Vehicle Limited Warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, because the involved vehicles remain under warranty. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| December 19, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 4, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| February 15, 2019 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| February 15, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| May 13, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V908?
Recall 18V908 covers 5,754 2018 Mercedes-Maybach S 560 4MATIC, AMG S63, S 450, and S560 vehicles with incorrect steering boot installation. Active Steering Assist can remain engaged after the driver's hands are off the wheel for a prolonged period, increasing crash risk.
What should I do if my 2018 Mercedes-Maybach S 560 4MATIC, AMG S63, S 450, or S560 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 18V908. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Maybach dealer to schedule an inspection and steering boot correction. Reference recall number 18V908 or Mercedes-Maybach recall number 2019040025 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Mercedes-Maybach dealers will inspect the vehicle and correct the steering boot installation as needed free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 18V908?
The safety risk is driver inattention while Active Steering Assist remains engaged. If the system stays active after the driver's hands are off the wheel for a prolonged period, the driver has less reason to reengage with steering, increasing crash risk.
When did owner notification begin for recall 18V908?
Owner notification began May 13, 2019. The dealer remedy is available, so affected owners can contact a franchised Mercedes-Maybach dealer for inspection and steering boot correction. Mercedes-Maybach customer service is available at 1-800-367-6372.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V908000 |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Maybach customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V908 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V908000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- 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 →