Campaign 20V651 Posted October 23, 2020 2,533 units

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC Recall 20V651: Power Steering

Recall 20V651 affects 2,533 2020 Mercedes-Benz Glc 300, AMG GLC63, AMG GLC43, and Glc 350 E vehicles for damaged power steering wiring. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.

Mercedes-Benz is recalling 2,533 2020 Glc 300, Glc 350 E, AMG GLC43, and AMG GLC63 vehicles because the power steering control unit wiring harness was damaged during production. The damage can lead to loss of power steering assist or an electrical short circuit, which increases crash or fire risk; Mercedes-Benz dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.

Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?

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What's wrong?

The electric wiring harness in these 2020 Mercedes-Benz Glc 300, AMG GLC63, AMG GLC43, and Glc 350 E vehicles feeds power and signals to the steering control unit. That control unit manages electric power steering assist, which reduces the effort needed to turn the wheel. The steering system still has a mechanical connection, but the assist motor depends on clean electrical input.

On affected vehicles, a supplier cutting process damaged a batch of steering control unit wiring harnesses during production. That damage can let moisture enter the harness and reach the steering control unit. Once moisture gets into the unit, the electric power steering assist can stop working or an electrical short circuit can occur.

There is no warning sign before failure. If the assist drops out, the wheel can require more effort to turn, especially during low-speed parking or tight maneuvers.

Who's affected?

All four listed variants share the same power steering system component.

2020 Mercedes-Benz Glc 300 power steering system
2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC63 power steering system
2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC43 power steering system
2020 Mercedes-Benz Glc 350 E power steering system
Units affected2,533
Field incidentsNHTSA has logged no field incidents to date.

A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.

What's the safety risk?

Loss of power steering assist increases steering effort and raises the risk of a crash. A wiring harness short circuit also increases the risk of fire. There is no warning sign before failure, so schedule the free inspection and harness replacement if your VIN is included. Repair is free at any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2020 Mercedes-Benz Glc 300, AMG GLC63, AMG GLC43, or Glc 350 E is included in this recall.
  2. Contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the free wiring-harness inspection and replacement that fixes the power-steering assist and short-circuit risk.
  3. Bring the recall notice if Mercedes-Benz mailed one. If not, reference recall number 20V651 when you call.
  4. Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, and stop in a safe place if steering assist drops or you detect smoke.
  5. Call Mercedes-Benz customer service at 1-800-367-6372 with recall questions.

What happens at the repair

At the dealer, a Mercedes-Benz technician inspects the power steering control unit wiring harness for production damage. If the harness is damaged, the technician replaces it. The inspection and any needed replacement 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 Mercedes-Benz says the involved vehicles remained covered and were not previously subject to this condition. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.

ReimbursementWarranty coverage applies

Timeline

October 23, 2020 NHTSA published the recall
October 30, 2020 Dealer notification began
October 30, 2020 Dealer notification ended
December 11, 2020 Owner notification mailed
December 11, 2020 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 20V651?

Recall 20V651 covers 2,533 2020 Mercedes-Benz Glc 300, AMG GLC63, AMG GLC43, and Glc 350 E vehicles with power steering control unit wiring harness damage. The defect can cause loss of power steering assist or an electrical short-circuit. Mercedes-Benz dealers will inspect the harness and replace it if needed for free.

What should I do if my 2020 Mercedes-Benz Glc 300, AMG GLC63, AMG GLC43, or Glc 350 E is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 20V651. If it is, contact a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer to schedule the wiring harness inspection. Reference recall number 20V651 when you call. The dealer 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 inspect the power steering control unit wiring harness free of charge. If replacement is needed, the franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer will replace it for free.

What is the safety risk?

The safety risk is loss of power steering assist or fire from an electrical short-circuit. Loss of assist can make the vehicle harder to steer and increase crash risk. A short-circuit in the damaged harness increases fire risk. The repair path is a free dealer inspection and harness replacement if needed.

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 2020 Mercedes-Benz is included, then call a franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer or Mercedes-Benz customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V651000
Mercedes-Benz customer service1-800-367-6372
NHTSA recall #20V651
NHTSA recall # (full)20V651000

Source documents

This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →