Darel

Just dropped off my '14 W212 for the fourth time for the steering wheel being stuck in the full up position.

Once, the WO came back, and I quote, "hit motor with hammer. Working."

They've twice since replaced parts and then the full motor / gear drive assembly. It jammed again, full up, so I just dropped it off again.

My questions are thrice:

1. Anyone else seeing this? The "dog bone" has never been broken.

2. Is there a real fix?

3. My CPO is up in December. I have already spoken to the service manager about the fact that this has already been in so many times and never really fixed, and I am concerned with having to buy a new column or something equally ridiculous in three months. Is there any process for extending a warranty claim for an obviously recurring problem past the warranty period?

Thanks,
Darel

KEY08

I never use the easy exit/entry feature. My wheel is set where I like it and never moves. I have seen this problem many times and don’t want to become another statistic. If it keeps happening after your warranty ends you may only get one good will fix and then you will be on your own. I say set it and forget it

Darel

With three drivers in the house, that's not really an option, but I have already disabled the easiness.

KEY08

Understand. Multiple drivers do need to adjust the steering to fit. It’s that full up and away that happens with the entry/exit feature that always seems to lock the steering wheel in place. Actually, hitting it, as the tech did is one way to release it. Maybe you’ll have better luck now that you have that feature off. I don’t think there is an easy fix that will last forever. It’s a poor design.

hyperion667

Will the other cars suffice for the other drivers? Or do they need the Benz?

SEC1939

happens to me sometimes too. I just give it a firm pull and it is ok, Not sure what the proper fix is

Darel

Yeah that usually works, however this time it's jammed up good. They are replacing the motor and transmission (just got off the phone with them 10 seconds ago) for the third time. It sounds to me like they don't really have a good fix either.

I'm going to push for some sort of "perpetual coverage" on this one item since my warranty is up in Dec and it's obviously a problem they just fire the parts cannon at. Has anyone ever had any success doing that?

belarus27

Its been a few years since ive noticed it on mine
when it started acting up more often , i disabled the feature to save me some nerves lol
Good luck

konigstiger

FWIW it’s important they observe tightening torques: 1 bolts 4Nm, 2 nuts 20Nm, and 3 bolts 8Nm.

Fliplegend

I love this feature and wish I had it in my bmw. Haven't noticed it fail yet but now I'll be more observant.

dawgfan

I had this happen on my 14 E350 3 times while under CPO and then extended warranty: For me, nothing would happen if I tried to move the column up or down, but it could move forward and backwards.

1st time software update under CPO. Fixed it for a few months
2nd time software update under extended warranty. Fixed it for a few months
3rd time they actually replaced the parts under extended warranty.

They did this in July and so far, so good. They claimed no error codes was the rationale for doing software updates.

If I were you, I'd get MBUSA involved. They can open up a ticket on their side and can hopefully help for further issues. Having to replace everything a second time seems like a red flag.

Good luck

up_too_late

Mine was acting sticky but came loose with a firm tug. After reading others’ experiences with this I also disabled the easy entry feature (no sense wasting cycles on that). I also make a point not to use the steering wheel as a grab handle when entering/exiting the vehicle.

DFWdude

^^^^^^^^^^ yes, this. I use the handle above the door to exit the car, not the wheel. I also avoid using the wheel to reach over to open the glove box, open the passenger side door, or to adjust my seating position. Steering wheel is for steering, nothing else.

LILBENZ230

Does the easy entry feature actually make anything easier? All of my 5 Benz cars have had it (as does my Macan) and I always turn it off immediately and never think about it again. Mercedes used to also move the seat, but they stopped that in recent years.

up_too_late

Apparently it makes it easier for the service department to generate revenue. Maybe entry/exit for those with high seat and low steering wheel combination?

DFWdude

Yes, it does. I am on the tall side, and like to sit lower in the seat as a result. This means I need a lower steering wheel position (so I can see through the wheel at the dash). This makes it more difficult getting into and out of the car. The auto tilt wheel is a welcome convenience.

You and I both had C-Classes, which are smaller cars with more confined interiors. I found its automatic movable seat was helpful, too.

pierrejoliat

I think so and use it all the time, My wife and I share her car,{probably why my car has 29k] if it's home I drive it, her seating position is 2 inches higher and 4 inches forward, without the easy entry feature, I would hurt myself.I miss the S class feature of the seats matching the key fob, automatically going to my seat position when I unlocked with my remote.

hyperion667

Reading through these comments makes me glad I never 'fell' for that crap lol. It's a wear and tear kind of thing IMM.

LILBENZ230

Yes, the key link thing should not have been deleted. The Porsche has it and I swore the E-class did, as well.. but no dice.

Siegmann

Push upward on the bottom of the wheel with your knees and continue while lowering it.

Darel

^^^THIS. Hate to say it, but Jeep had this nailed back in the '90s. Had 2 Grand Cherokee Overlands, the 2002 had the seats, mirrors and radio presets keyed to the fob that was being used to unlock the car. Also, you just one-pressed the memory buttons, didn't have to stand there and hold it while the seat moved back enough for you to get in.

Just one of many things Jeep got right and for some reason no one's copied. The ergonomics on those were perfect, and for some reason almost 20 years later cars seem to have gone backwards.

E55Greasemonkey

Pull the leather steering column boot back (towards the driver), and using the included straw, spray a healthy dose of Wurth HHS2000 or Kent Pene-Grease on the worm gear and metal sliding surfaces of the column. Move up/down several times and apply more. That will fix it.

LILBENZ230

Our Porsche links everything from seats/mirrors (including lumbar) to radio and climate control and instrument cluster settings to individual key. I am also surprised this is not more common.

Darel

Never had a Porsche, glad to see someone following suit. It almost seems like common sense.