On certain vehicles, the power steering return hoses may detach at their connection points. If this happens, power steering fluid can leak. This would result in a loss of power steering assist and power steering fluid could leak onto the road.
Note: This is an expansion of Mercedes-Benz Recall 4695079 (Transport Canada Recall No. 2020-517).
Safety Risk
A loss of power steering assist may result in a sudden increase in steering effort, especially at low speeds. This could increase the risk of a crash. A power steering fluid leak could create a road hazard.
Remedy
Mercedes-Benz will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to check the power steering return hose connections. Dealers will install a clamp at the connection point, if needed.
On certain vehicles, the universal joint connection on the steering shaft could loosen over time. As a result, there could be noise or a change in steering feel. If a driver continues to operate the vehicle, the bearing could separate from the universal joint and cause a loss of steering control.
Safety Risk
A loss of steering could create the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Mercedes-Benz will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to inspect the steering shaft. It will be replaced, if necessary.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 B250e, CLA250, 2017-2018 AMG CLA45, GLA250, and AMG GLA45 vehicles. The steering shaft bore hole for the universal joint bearing may allow excessive movement that, over time, could result in the separation of the bearing and universal joint.
Safety Risk
A separated universal joint bearing can cause a loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and as necessary, replace the steering shaft, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 23, 2021. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2021060001.
On certain trucks, a poor electrical connection could cause a sudden loss of power steering assist.
Note: This recall does not include vehicles that were repaired under Transport Canada Recall 2016-043.
Safety Risk
A loss of power steering assist may result in a sudden increase in steering effort, especially at low vehicle speeds. This could increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
General Motors will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your truck to a dealer to replace the steering gear torque sensor cover assembly.
On certain vehicles, the steering tie rod nut may not have been properly tightened. As a result, the tie rod could become loose and separate from the steering knuckle. This could result in a loss of steering control.
Safety Risk
A loss of steering control could create a risk of a crash.
Remedy
Nissan will notify owners by mail and instruct you take your vehicle to a dealer to re-tighten the nut on the left and right steering tie rods. If the nut is missing, a new nut and washer will be installed.
On certain vehicles, the bolts that attach the electric power steering assist motor to the steering gear may corrode and break. This could cause a loss of power steering assist.
Safety Risk
A loss of power steering assist may result in a sudden increase in steering effort, especially at low vehicle speeds. This could increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the bolts and apply a wax sealer. If one or more of the bolts are broken or missing, a new steering gear will be installed.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas and 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. The front steering knuckle may fracture in the area of the strut mounting.
Safety Risk
A fractured steering knuckle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace one or both steering knuckles, free of charge. The recall began February 16, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 40Q7.
On certain vehicles, the front steering knuckles may not have been manufactured correctly. As a result, the steering knuckle could break suddenly while driving. If this happens, there would be a loss of steering control.
Safety Risk
A loss of steering control could create a risk of a crash.
Remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to inspect the front knuckles and replace them, if necessary.
On certain vehicles, the power steering control unit may corrode. If this happens, moisture could enter the control unit and cause it to fail. This could cause a loss of power steering assist.
Note: This recall only affects vehicles that were originally sold or ever registered in areas of heavy road salt usage (Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador).
Safety Risk
A loss of power steering assist would result in a sudden increase in steering effort, especially at low vehicle speeds. This could increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Mercedes-Benz will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the power steering control unit.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The steering knuckles may have been manufactured improperly.
Safety Risk
The improperly manufactured knuckle may fracture, reducing steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front knuckle, and replace it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 16, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S69.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas and 2020-2021 Atlas Cross Sport vehicles. One or both steering knuckles may have been damaged during production.
Safety Risk
A damaged steering knuckle can fail, causing a loss of steering, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the steering knuckle, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 40Q6. Note: Owners are advised to DO NOT DRIVE the vehicle until the vehicle has been inspected and repaired if necessary.
On certain vehicles, the power steering return hoses may detach at their connection points. If this happens, power steering fluid can leak. This would result in a loss of power steering assist and power steering fluid could leak onto the road.
Safety Risk
A loss of power steering assist may result in a sudden increase in steering effort, especially at low speeds. This could increase the risk of a crash. A power steering fluid leak could create a road hazard.
Remedy
Mercedes-Benz will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to check the power steering return hose connections. Dealers will install a clamp at the connection point, if needed.
On certain vehicles, the wiring harness for the power steering control unit may have been damaged during production. As a result, moisture may enter the wiring harness and cause a loss of power steering assist or a short circuit.
Safety Risk
A loss of power steering assist may result in a sudden increase in steering effort, especially at low speeds. This could increase the risk of a crash. A short circuit could create a fire risk.
Remedy
Mercedes-Benz will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to inspect the wiring harness for the steering control unit and replace it, if necessary.
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2021 VNL, VHD, and VNR vehicles. The king pin nut may not have been installed or properly tightened during axle assembly.
Safety Risk
If the king pin is missing or not tightened properly, the knuckle may separate from the axle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Volvo Trucks will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle to make sure that the king pin nut is installed and that it properly tightened, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks customer service at 1-800-458-1522. Volvo Truck's number for this recall is RVXX 2003.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Genesis G70 vehicles. A component within the Rack Mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (R-MDPS) Assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, possibly resulting in the steering locking or becoming difficult while driving.
Safety Risk
A loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Hyundai dealers have replaced the R-MDPS Assemblies, free of charge, prior to the sale of the vehicles. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 004G.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Stinger vehicles equipped with a 2.0L Turbo-GDI engine. A component within the Rack Mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, possibly resulting in the steering locking or becoming difficult while driving.
Safety Risk
A loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the MDPS Assembly, free of charge. The recall began August 28, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC193.
On certain vehicles, the bolts that attach the electric power steering assist motor to the steering gear may corrode and break. This could cause a loss of power steering assist.
Safety Risk
A loss of power steering assist may result in a sudden increase in steering effort, especially at low vehicle speeds. This could increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
General Motors will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the bolts that attach the electric power steering motor and apply a protective wax coating. If the bolts cannot be removed due to corrosion, the steering gear will be replaced.
On certain vehicles, the cover of the electric power steering (EPS) gearbox may not be properly attached. As a result, water can enter the gearbox and corrode internal components. Under certain conditions, this can result in a loss of power steering assist.
Safety Risk
A loss of power steering assist may result in a sudden increase in steering effort, especially at low vehicle speeds. This could increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Toyota will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a Toyota dealer to replace the electric power steering gear assembly.
On certain vehicles, high temperatures and excessive vibration could cause damage to the steering tie rods. If this happens, the tie rods could break. This could result in a loss of steering control.
Safety Risk
A loss of steering control could create a risk of a crash.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners by mail and instruct you take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the steering tie rods.
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2020-2021 VNL and VNR trucks. The steering gear fasteners may have not been properly tightened.
Safety Risk
The loose fasteners may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Volvo Trucks will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the steering gear fasteners to specification, free of charge. The recall began May 20, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks customer service at 800-528-6586. Volvo Trucks' number for this recall is RVXX2001.
