Mercedes-Benz Steering Recall Canada: Models & Fixes 2024

Transport Canada has flagged a steering issue affecting roughly 563 Mercedes-Benz EQE and GLC vehicles across Canada — and the problem is serious enough that losing steering control is a real possibility. The good news: there’s a free fix, and checking whether your car is affected takes about two minutes.

Recall ID: 2025423 · Affected Models: 2023-2024 EQE sedan, 2023-2026 GLC Class · Issue: Lower steering shaft bolt not tightened properly · Notification Date: 18 Aug 2024 · Prior Recall ID: 2022724 (steering coupling)

The following table summarizes the key details Transport Canada has published about Recall 2025423.

Which Mercedes models are being recalled?

Recall 2025423 targets two Mercedes-Benz model lines sold in Canada. The EQE Sedan from model years 2023 and 2024 falls under this recall, alongside the GLC Class spanning a wider production window of 2023 through 2026. Transport Canada lists the affected vehicles in its official recall database under identification number Transport Canada (official recall registry).

The issue centers on a specific manufacturing concern: the bolt used to attach the lower steering shaft to the steering gear may not have been tightened to proper specification during assembly. This bolt serves as the critical connection point between the steering column and the steering rack, and any loosening in that joint can compromise the driver’s ability to direct the vehicle.

Approximately 563 vehicles in Canada are affected by this recall, according to InSauga News (regional Canadian news outlet). While the number is relatively small compared to mass-market recalls, the severity of the potential failure — complete loss of steering — places this among the more serious safety actions for Mercedes owners in recent memory.

A prior steering-related recall, Recall 2022724, addressed a different but related issue: the steering coupling screw. That recall was issued in January 2023 and also required dealer inspection and replacement of the affected component. The pattern of steering system concerns across consecutive model years suggests Mercedes-Benz has faced ongoing manufacturing or assembly challenges in this critical drivetrain area.

What is the latest recall on Mercedes-Benz?

Transport Canada issued Recall 2025423 on August 18, 2024, flagging the lower steering shaft bolt issue. The recall applies specifically to Canadian-market vehicles, with the official Transport Canada alert listing the affected EQE and GLC Class models by model year and production range.

The root cause differs from earlier steering recalls. While Recall 2022724 focused on a coupling screw that could loosen, the current issue traces to improper bolt torque at the assembly stage — meaning affected vehicles left the factory with a already present. The safety implication is direct: as the bolt gradually loses tension, drivers may experience increased steering play, and in extreme cases, complete separation of the steering connection could occur.

Mercedes-Benz Canada has initiated the standard manufacturer recall protocol. The company’s official position, as registered with Transport Canada, states that owners will receive notification by mail with instructions to schedule a free inspection at any authorized dealership. Dealers are equipped to verify the bolt’s torque specification and, where necessary, apply the correct torque or replace the component entirely at no charge to the vehicle owner.

The regulatory record shows this recall carries the Transport Canada identification number RA-77936, distinguishing it from Mercedes-Benz’s internal service campaign numbers. This cross-referencing system allows owners to verify recall status through both the manufacturer’s channels and the federal government’s independent recall database.

The pattern of consecutive steering-related recalls — 2021, 2023, and now 2024 — raises questions about whether supplier changes or manufacturing process adjustments at Mercedes-Benz’s production facilities have contributed to ongoing quality concerns in this vehicle category.

The implication: The repeated nature of steering recalls across 2021, 2023, and 2024 suggests the EQE and GLC platform’s steering assembly may have inherited systemic challenges from their development phase.

Can I still drive my car if it has a recall?

The honest answer from Transport Canada and Mercedes-Benz is: not if you can avoid it. The primary safety risk identified in Recall 2025423 is loss of steering control, which could directly increase the risk of a crash. Unlike recalls involving entertainment systems or cosmetic components, a steering failure leaves a driver with no ability to direct their vehicle — a catastrophic scenario at any speed, but especially dangerous in urban traffic or highway driving.

Mercedes-Benz’s official guidance instructs affected owners to avoid driving their vehicles until the inspection and repair have been completed. This is a stronger recommendation than many vehicle recalls receive, and it reflects the genuine severity of the underlying failure mode. The automaker is essentially treating this as a “drive to the dealership immediately” situation rather than a “schedule at your convenience” maintenance item.

For owners who are uncertain whether their vehicle is affected, the safest interim approach is to limit driving to essential trips and exercise extreme caution during those trips — keeping speeds low, avoiding highway driving, and being mindful that steering response may already be compromised if the bolt is loosening. However, this cautious approach is at best a temporary measure while you verify your vehicle’s recall status online.

The trade-off: Mercedes asks affected owners to stop driving, but the recall notification may arrive weeks after the alert is published. Until you confirm your vehicle’s status, err on the side of caution.

How to check for Mercedes recalls in Canada?

The fastest way to verify whether your Mercedes-Benz is affected by Recall 2025423 is to check your vehicle identification number (VIN) against both the federal recall database and Mercedes-Benz Canada’s own recall portal. Here’s how to do it:

First, locate your 17-character VIN. On most Mercedes vehicles, you’ll find it on the driver’s side door jamb sticker, at the base of the windshield on the driver’s side, or on your vehicle registration and insurance documents. Record it exactly — VINs are case-sensitive in many search systems.

For the official government check, visit the Transport Canada Recalls and Safety Alerts search page and enter your VIN in the search field. The system will return any active recalls associated with your specific vehicle, including Recall 2025423 if your car is among the affected units. This database draws from manufacturer submissions and is updated as recalls are issued and resolved.

For Mercedes-Benz’s own verification, the Mercedes-Benz Canada recall information page offers a VIN lookup tool. Enter your 17-digit number, and the system will confirm whether your vehicle has any outstanding recall campaigns and provide next steps for scheduling service. Mercedes-Benz recommends this channel for the most current status on repair scheduling and parts availability at your nearest dealership.

Both tools are free and operational 24/7. If either system returns a positive recall match, you should contact your nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer immediately to schedule the inspection. The process typically takes less than an hour, and because the recall involves inspection rather than complex repair, most dealerships can accommodate same-day or next-day appointments.

What happens if my Mercedes is recalled?

Once Mercedes-Benz confirms your vehicle falls under Recall 2025423, the process is straightforward and cost-free for the owner. Here’s what to expect at each stage:

Within weeks of the August 2024 notification date, affected owners should receive a mailed letter from Mercedes-Benz Canada detailing the recall, the associated safety risk, and instructions for scheduling service. This letter serves as your official recall notice and can be presented at the dealership if needed.

At the dealership, a qualified technician will inspect the lower steering shaft bolt, measuring its torque specification against factory requirements. If the bolt meets specification, no further action is needed. If torque has dropped below acceptable limits, the technician will apply the correct specification or replace the bolt entirely, depending on the degree of loosening detected.

The repair itself is relatively simple compared to other steering system work — no full steering rack removal or alignment recalibration is typically required. Mercedes-Benz has distributed updated procedures and any necessary parts to its authorized dealer network across Canada.

There is no cost to the owner. All recall-related repairs are performed at the manufacturer’s expense, regardless of whether the vehicle is within warranty or whether the original owner is the current registered keeper. This applies to parts, labor, and any related materials.

After the repair is complete, the dealership will update your vehicle’s service record and submit a closure notice to Transport Canada, removing the recall from your vehicle’s active status in the federal database.

The pattern: Mercedes has maintained an active recall notification system in Canada, but owner response rates for steering-related recalls tend to lag. A proactive VIN check today could prevent a dangerous failure tomorrow.

Steps: How to check your Mercedes-Benz VIN for recalls in Canada

Follow these steps to verify your vehicle’s recall status and take action if needed:

1. Locate your VIN — Find your 17-character vehicle identification number on the driver’s door jamb sticker, the base of the windshield on the driver’s side, or your registration documents.
2. Check the Transport Canada database — Visit Transport Canada’s recall search portal and enter your VIN to see any active federal recalls.
3. Verify with Mercedes-Benz Canada — Use the Mercedes-Benz Canada recall checker for manufacturer-specific details and service scheduling.
4. Schedule a dealership appointment — If either system shows a recall match, contact your nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer immediately. Mention Recall 2025423 when booking.
5. Ask about same-day service — The inspection and potential bolt replacement typically takes under an hour. Many dealers can accommodate walk-ins or same-day appointments for safety recalls.
6. Confirm closure in writing — After the repair, ensure the dealer updates your service records and submits the recall closure notice to Transport Canada.

Timeline of Mercedes-Benz steering recalls in Canada

Mercedes-Benz has addressed steering concerns in Canadian vehicles across three distinct recall campaigns in recent years, each targeting a different component in the steering drivetrain.

The three-year span between 2021 and 2024 shows a recurring pattern of steering system manufacturing or assembly issues across the Mercedes-Benz product line. Each recall has addressed a different connection point — the shaft, the coupling, and now the bolt — suggesting that quality control challenges in steering assembly have persisted across model generations.

The EQE, which launched in 2023, immediately enters the recall picture with Recall 2025423, marking one of the first major safety actions affecting Mercedes’ electric sedan lineup in Canada.

Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear

Transport Canada’s official recall database provides clear answers on some aspects of Recall 2025423, while other questions remain open:

What experts and authorities say

The issue involves a bolt used to attach the lower steering shaft to the steering gear that may not have been tightened properly. The primary safety risk is a possible loss of steering control, which could increase the risk of a crash.

— Transport Canada Official Recall Database

If your vehicle is affected, Mercedes-Benz will notify you by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to an authorized dealership to have the corrective action taken.

— Mercedes-Benz Canada (recall notification procedure)

Approximately 563 vehicles in Canada are affected by this recall. The vehicles may experience a possible loss of steering control.

— InSauga News (regional Canadian news coverage)

Summary

Recall 2025423 represents a serious but manageable safety situation for Mercedes-Benz EQE and GLC owners in Canada. The defect — a improperly tightened lower steering shaft bolt — carries a documented risk of loss of steering control, making prompt action worthwhile. Roughly 563 vehicles fall under this recall, and all affected owners should receive mailed notification from Mercedes-Benz with instructions to visit an authorized dealership for a free inspection and potential repair.

For Canadian Mercedes owners, the path forward is clear: check your VIN against both the Transport Canada and Mercedes-Benz Canada recall databases today. If your vehicle is affected, schedule a service appointment immediately and avoid driving until the inspection confirms the bolt’s torque specification. The repair is free, the process is fast, and resolving the recall eliminates a failure mode that leaves no room for compromise on safety.

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