2012 Mercedes-Benz E550 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 24%of 17 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 91,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the steering of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E550, 24% of the 17 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 91,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was backing the car when the steering became stiff and a message stating 'power steering malfunction see owners manual' appeared. I turned the car off and restarted an hour later and the same message appeared. Steering was very difficult. Thankfully, it didn't happen at a high speed or turning.”
NHTSA complaint #11348881, filed 2020-08, 113,000 miles“My car will not start and I get a message stating Remove key from ignition every time I insert the key to try to start the car. It appears that the ESL has failed. I have visited several MB forums and it appears that this is a common issue, regardless of car mileage. This is a factory defect that really needs to be recalled and fixed.”
NHTSA complaint #11521883, filed 2023-05“The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz E550. The contact stated that while occupying the vehicle while the vehicle was parked, the ignition switch failed to detect the key fob. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the electric steering rack had failed and needed to be replaced or reprogrammed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was notified of the vehicle, but no assistance was provided. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 69,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11666601, filed 2025-06, 69,000 miles“The Electronic Steering Lock (ESL) will fail and cause the vehicle to become disabled. The failure of this part will leave the owner strained and unable to use any functions of the car. You can’t even put the vehicle into neutral to move the vehicle. Everything is locked. There have been numerous reports of this failure on various Mercedes Benz forums on the web. Also, many videos outlining this problem on YouTube. Yes, the problem has been reproduced by an independent repair facility. Mercedes Benz is aware of this problem regarding the ESL part. …”
NHTSA complaint #11570918, filed 2024-02Related service bulletins
- 10178745Jul 10, 2020The aluminum bolts of the steering gear housing cover and the aluminum bolts on the powerpack may corrode in corrosion-critical countries where exposed combination with…
- 10056472Jun 20, 2014Xentry (mercedes): after engine has started, several issues occurs, an acoustic warning sounds is heard, the instrument cluster displays warning message power steering…
- 10167002Feb 25, 2014Creaking noise when making vertical or longitudinal adjustment to electrical steering column
- 10167003Feb 18, 2014Fault code U41600 logged in 'ES' (electric steering) control unit after software update or steering gear replacement. Note: Fault code U41600 means: Implausible data were…
- 10167000Feb 18, 2014Surface damage on steering wheel trim
- 10167550Jul 18, 2013Single, throttle lift-off, clunking noise from the side shaft when starting off (audible at the wheel). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse (and vice…
- 10048239Sep 24, 2012Xentry (mercedes): an internal issue with electronic steering lock is causing a failure of no cranking, intermittent no crank or no start and warning icons will not illuminate in…
Steering: other model years
Other parts of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E550
8 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E550
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology