I was driving my 2003 E500 and by the graces of God I wasn't on the HWY or driving at a fast rate of speed, my steering wheel locked up. I was able to park it in my parking space as I was literally next to my home. Can anyone tell me what's going on? I am so afraid of driving this car now. It does start and it does move, the only problem is the steering (very important huh?).

 

Wow, that's frightening and incredibly unsafe. Fortunately you came out of it unharmed without anyone else getting harmed.

You'd get more help in the W211 section, and unfortunately 2003 E-Class are known to be mostly extremely problematic.

 

I cannot think of anything that would cause this. The interlock is not able to engage unless the car is in park. Also the Brake would have to be depressed to shift it out of Park. If it is mechanical (e.g. in your steering rack, etc.) I would think you would be experiencing other issues. I would definitely take it to a qualified MB service department and have it checked out. That is some scary stuff.

 

A wrong forum, specifically because the 212 does not have the steering lock (actually I did not check, I assume it follows the 221 design).

Anyway can you explain how did you manage to park the car into any parking space after driving on a highway where the steering got locked? I've never seen anyone's parking space straight ahead from a highway.

I wonder if you mean something else than most would expect from "the steering getting locked while driving".

 

I had the same thought! Maybe he means the power steering broke? That would certainly make the car difficult, but not impossible, to steer.

 

Sounds like the serpentine belt broke and he lost power steering. I suppose that if you don't go to the gym often enough that no power steering and locking the steering are effectively the same thing!

I wonder if he knows enough about cars to understand not to drive it because the water pump is no longer functioning as well...

 

Since he wasn't on the highway I'm guessing pulling into his parking spot wasn't much of a problem

"I was driving my 2003 E500 and by the graces of God I wasn't on the HWY or driving at a fast rate of speed,"

 

Hi, did you find out what was the problem? I just had the same issue

 

like your "pump belt broke" or steering column "locked up"... strange...

Wondering what type of steering this is... any associated code or "Xmas tree" from CAN disruption?

[SCM/EIS modules getting mad?]

 

Thank G for electronic power steering.

 

@KEY08 Did you have your MY14 steering replaced under recall?

 

I had steering column bolts replaced by recall a few years ago. That’s all I’m aware of. My car has no other outstanding recalls