German luxury automaker Mercedes-Benz and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have announced the recall of roughly 85,000 E-Class and C-Class vehicles in the U.S. stemming from power steering system failures.
The problem stems from a faulty power steering pump that can create a shortage of power steering fluid, ultimately reducing the aid given from the power steering system. NHTSA says, “Owners may not have sufficient control of the vehicle in areas, such as parking lots, where maximum power steering is required, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.”
It is worth noting that the ability to steer the vehicle is not completely lost, it simply requires a moderately increased amount of input in order to get the vehicles to respond.
The recall includes various 2010 C-Class and E-Class models, including the E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet models.
Although Daimler – parent company to Mercedes-Benz – has yet to announce any recalls worldwide for the same issue, a spokesman told the Associated Free Press that the recall will affect vehicles in other countries outside of the U.S. as well.
The fix will simply involve tightening a potentially loose fitting and replacing any missing fluid.