Steering Wheel Up/Down Adjustment Not Working
Steering Wheel Up/Down Adjustment Not Working
A few weeks ago my steering wheel stopped going up and down when trying to adjust it. I can still move it in and out, but it stopped going up and down. Has this happened to anyone else yet?
I plan on taking it to Mercedes when it comes time to do Service B in a few weeks, but I'm just curious if this happened to anyone, what they dealer said was the cause, and if they had a problem when bringing it to the dealer to get it fixed under warranty.
Thanks.
I plan on taking it to Mercedes when it comes time to do Service B in a few weeks, but I'm just curious if this happened to anyone, what they dealer said was the cause, and if they had a problem when bringing it to the dealer to get it fixed under warranty.
Thanks.
This is a well known issue that plagues several MB cars.
As it's covered by warranty, just get it replaced. If you want to try, use the knob to force it to the highest position (yes, I realize there will not be any apparent movement due to the issue you presented), then take your arm and bang down really hard on the steering wheel. Chances are it'll get it working again...
As it's covered by warranty, just get it replaced. If you want to try, use the knob to force it to the highest position (yes, I realize there will not be any apparent movement due to the issue you presented), then take your arm and bang down really hard on the steering wheel. Chances are it'll get it working again...
I tried multiple times to get it working but part of me feels like I will break it if I go too hard. When I schedule my next service I’m going to have them replace the up/down motor.
Thanks all.
Thanks all.
This happened to me, but was intermittent. The first two times I took it to the dealer, they told me it just needed to be lubricated and sent me on my way. I finally took a video of the failure and asked that they replace the appropriate parts. That seems to have solved it.
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Joined: Feb 2014
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
Not sure if you have the easy entry/exit feature on, but in the older models, this use to break all the time. Seems that people would put their weight on the steering wheel while it was moving and it would tend to break some piece in the steering column. It could also be something else, but you might want to be careful in the future in case it breaks again out of warranty.
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Not sure if you have the easy entry/exit feature on, but in the older models, this use to break all the time. Seems that people would put their weight on the steering wheel while it was moving and it would tend to break some piece in the steering column. It could also be something else, but you might want to be careful in the future in case it breaks again out of warranty.
This is caused by a production error, it will not fail because of normal use or putting external load on the column.
Once replaced it will work.
I had the same exact problem on my ‘17 E300. Took it in twice and they said that all it needed was a software reset. Well it happened again and on the third visit they replaced the motor within the steering column. It’s been working much better since!
My W204 goes in to the dealer tomorrow for the same thing (under warranty). Will see what they do with this. I will most likely be disabling the exit up/down feature once I get it back to save the motor.
Took the car in this past weekend. I explained to the service writer my issue and he told me to have a seat. As I am watching, the service writer played with the telescoping feature and came back to tell me the car was fixed. He said all you need to do is operate the working feature to loosen the motor. I then told him this appears to be a common problem. He told me it wasn't. I then asked what happens if and when it happens again. He told me to just work the other features like he did. We shall see what happens next time I bring it in.
I brought mine in this past weekend for Service B and do do warranty work and among other things, the steering wheel. They told me it needed a software update. Who knows how long it will last for but at least it’s covered under warranty.
Senior Member




Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 361
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Past 03 SL500,03 C240, 07 E350, 07 ML350, 10 ML350,11&14 E350 X2 2017 E300, 2017 C350e & 2000 S500
mine has been stuck in the up position for the past month. Haven't had time to take it in. will be the 16th time going in for service.
If your warranty has expired try the run in/run out and then pull down sharply (a firm jerk) on the top of the wheel. This worked twice for me. I had to do it twice because the Easy Exit feature runs the wheel all of the way to the top where the wheel becomes stuck. I have disabled the feature and now just raise the wheel manually with the handle when I want a little more room to exit. But not all of the way up.
Mine is a lease so once the lease is up it’s going back. Luckily I have full warranty for the duration of the lease. Mine has only done it once since getting the last service and the update a few months ago. What I did to fix it was I pressed the thing to make the steering wheel go down while pulling down on the steering wheel and it came down again. Hopefully it’ll be good for another year and a half.
Super Member




Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 578
Likes: 121
From: New Jersey
MB W213 E300 4MATIC Luxury Model
A few weeks ago my steering wheel stopped going up and down when trying to adjust it. I can still move it in and out, but it stopped going up and down. Has this happened to anyone else yet?
I plan on taking it to Mercedes when it comes time to do Service B in a few weeks, but I'm just curious if this happened to anyone, what they dealer said was the cause, and if they had a problem when bringing it to the dealer to get it fixed under warranty.
Thanks.
I plan on taking it to Mercedes when it comes time to do Service B in a few weeks, but I'm just curious if this happened to anyone, what they dealer said was the cause, and if they had a problem when bringing it to the dealer to get it fixed under warranty.
Thanks.
It worked!
I pushed down hard on wheel while simultaneously pushing down on the tilt lever. Worked like a charm. Whatever that means
QUOTE=superangrypenguin;7619495]This is a well known issue that plagues several MB cars.
As it's covered by warranty, just get it replaced. If you want to try, use the knob to force it to the highest position (yes, I realize there will not be any apparent movement due to the issue you presented), then take your arm and bang down really hard on the steering wheel. Chances are it'll get it working again...[/QUOTE]

QUOTE=superangrypenguin;7619495]This is a well known issue that plagues several MB cars.
As it's covered by warranty, just get it replaced. If you want to try, use the knob to force it to the highest position (yes, I realize there will not be any apparent movement due to the issue you presented), then take your arm and bang down really hard on the steering wheel. Chances are it'll get it working again...[/QUOTE]
Out of warranty and the dealer by me is horrible. Even MB USA acknowledges it, it is privately owned and they cannot do anything about it. This dealer is literally the worst thing about owning a MB. I seriously doubt I will buy another one bc of them. Great car otherwise. The same group also owns the BMW dealership, so I am not sure what I will do next.






