Vehicle recall R/2011/116

Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Mercedes-Benz CLS recall: Steering may become heavy

DVSA recall R/2011/116 names the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Mercedes-Benz CLS. It was launched 24 October 2011. It covers vehicles built 1 November 2010 to 30 April 2011.

Recall data updated 22 September 2026

Recall: R/2011/116
Launched: 24 October 2011
Issued by: MERCEDES BENZ UK LIMITED
Manufacturer reference: P172
Vehicles: DVSA lists 316 on each model line

What can go wrong

Power steering assistance may be lost due to an implausible signal occurring in the control unit. The mechanical steering of the vehicle is maintained but greater input from the driver will be required. When the fault occurs warning will be delivered both visually on the vehicle display and audibly via a signal tone.

The fix

Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to replace the electric power steering units.

Models and build dates

As listed in the DVSA recall file. DVSA lists the same vehicle number on each line: 316. It may be a figure per line or for the whole recall.
Model	Built	Vehicles
Mercedes-Benz CLS	1 November 2010 to 30 April 2011	316
Mercedes-Benz E-Class	1 November 2010 to 30 April 2011	316

Is a specific car affected? A recall lists models and build dates, not individual vehicles, so these pages cannot tell you whether one car is included. Enter the registration on the DVSA vehicle recall checker on GOV.UK, or give the vehicle identification number (VIN) to the manufacturer or one of its dealers. Buying used? Ask the seller for proof that any recall work was done.

Other recalls for these models

R/2011/117 Passenger air bag may not deploy correctly 21 October 2011, Mercedes-Benz CLS
R/2011/172 Fuel may leak 26 January 2012, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Mercedes-Benz R-Class, Mercedes-Benz S-Class and others
R/2010/205 Fuel may leak 7 January 2011, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Mercedes-Benz M-Class, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and others
R/2010/156 Power assisted steering may leak oil. 27 October 2010, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Mercedes-Benz C-Class
R/2012/111 Rear-axle suspension level sensor may break 16 November 2012, Mercedes-Benz E-Class
R/2012/148 Bonnet catch may release 4 December 2012, Mercedes-Benz CLS

Found one you might buy?

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Source

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA vehicle recall records (RecallsFile.csv), recalls launched 1992 to 2026. Recall data updated 22 September 2026.

Recall wording is DVSA's, with capitals and punctuation tidied and American spellings such as tire, center and windshield given in British English. We list a recall when its make and model match a car or van family with at least 1,000 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2025, and when the maker of the vehicle issued it.

Not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. Methodology · Data sources