2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class Steering Problems

2017 Mercedes Benz GLC 300 Coupe 27,700 miles. I was driving on MD I-95 when the Power Steering Malfunction warning light came on and I lost power steering. I got off the next exit. Steering was very difficult especially when the car slowed. The Mercedes Benz dealer is replacing the electronic steering power control unit, power steering motor and steering rack. Cost $4910. Mercedes Benz has had GLC 300 recalls for Power Steering Malfunction but not for my model year.

The steering column has stopped moving up/down. I guess due to some latency build up (after having tried to adjust the steering a few times prior to the drive) caused the steering to move down (one time incident) while driving and caused momentary loss of steering control due to slippage and had to pull over to the shoulder of the freeway. While this was a one time incident it could become a safety issue...this seems to be a rampant issue (up/down movement getting jammed) on all MB vehicles and anything related to critical vehicular controls should be flagged as such.

TRAVELING 60 MPH ON INTERSTATE, WHEN STEERING WHEEL JERKED TO THE RIGHT AND THEN LEFT, BRAKES AUTOMATICALLY ACTIVATED, AND SEAT BELT TIGHTENED. LASTED FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 MILES, THEN JERKING STOPPED. WITHIN ANOTHER 30 MILES HAPPENED 3 MORE TIMES. EACH TIME AN ALERT APPEARED ON DISPLAY 'BLIND SPOT ASSIST IS DEACTIVATED, NOT OPERATIONAL'. STOPPED AND HAD CAR WASHED TO REMOVE ANY DEBRIS FROM SENSORS, BUT PROBLEM PERSISTED. HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY, 5/2, AT 45 MPH ON PUBLIC HIGHWAY. CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ENGAGED WHEN THESE INSTANCES OCCURRED. TERRIFYING! I HAD TO FIGHT THE WHEEL TO KEEP CONTROL.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 MERCEDES-BENZ GLC300. WHILE DRIVING BELOW 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE IF THERE WERE ANY WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED BEFORE OR AFTER THE CRASH. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY; THEREFORE, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 1,000.

THE LANE KEEPING ASSIST AND/OR LANE BRAKING ASSIST WILL VIOLENTLY MOVE THE VEHICLE UNASSISTED BY DRIVER ONTO ACCESS ROADS THE DRIVER EXPECTS THE VEHICLE TO MAINTAIN ITS POSITION OF THE HIGHWAY AND NOT TO VIOLENTLY TURN ONTO ACCESS ROADS.. IT IS PARTICULARLY UNSAFE ON 75 AND 85 MPH SPEED LIMIT HIGHWAYS. REQUIRES DRIVER TO VIOLENTLY JERK WHEELER BACK TO THE HIGHWAY BEING TRAVELED UPON. CALLS DIRECTLY TO MERCEDES INDICATE NO INTEREST IN THE PROBLEM AND SOFTWARE INVOLVED AND LOCAL DEALERS EITHER WILL NOT SET UP APPOINTMENTS FOR INSPECTION OR/AND INDICATE THEY CANNOT CORRECT THE SOFTWARE OR SENSITIVITY OF DETECTORS ON RIGHT SIDE OF CARE. THE ONLY WAY TO AVOID THIS IS ON A 4 LANE HIGH BY STAYING IN THE CENTER PASSING LANE A LANE AWAY FROM EXITS.