SL63 AMG Power Steering Malfunction and US Recall
Discussion
Ok - so driving along yesterday and all of a sudden we have no power steering and a bright warning stating "Power Steering Malfunction". Now believe me the SL63 is one heavy car to drive without power steering even at speed and if the Mrs had been driving it would not have surprised me if she had crashed it!!
Now the car is only 4 years old with 15k miles. By coincidence it is booked in for its 4th year service next week. There is no obvious mechanical fault so I am assuming it is a control unit or sensor issue.
Now a quick Google search suggests there has been a safely recall (January 2017) for this exact fault covering the SL63 (and other models) and the same age/production as my car but only in the US.
The UK dealer has confirmed that there are no recall notices on my car.
Now they may be built at different locations or use different components but I will be fuming if it is the same component and fault as those recalled in the US. Surely such safety critical issues should be notified immediately - I can't believe that something has already failed on the car and the severe consequences of losing powered steering when it did.
I will update after the service next week but suspect I will be discussing with MB (UK) once the fault has been found.
Anyone else have a similar experience and the outcome?
Now the car is only 4 years old with 15k miles. By coincidence it is booked in for its 4th year service next week. There is no obvious mechanical fault so I am assuming it is a control unit or sensor issue.
Now a quick Google search suggests there has been a safely recall (January 2017) for this exact fault covering the SL63 (and other models) and the same age/production as my car but only in the US.
The UK dealer has confirmed that there are no recall notices on my car.
Now they may be built at different locations or use different components but I will be fuming if it is the same component and fault as those recalled in the US. Surely such safety critical issues should be notified immediately - I can't believe that something has already failed on the car and the severe consequences of losing powered steering when it did.
I will update after the service next week but suspect I will be discussing with MB (UK) once the fault has been found.
Anyone else have a similar experience and the outcome?
Blimey that must've been a bottom clenching moment, good job keeping everything in check. Whenever I hear these stories I always think of this scene:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dfDdEnQZPQ
I was considering buying another SL63 so it will be very interesting to hear MB's response.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dfDdEnQZPQ
I was considering buying another SL63 so it will be very interesting to hear MB's response.
Edited by CitySlicker on Friday 3rd November 17:01
Current update.
Dealer has confirmed a Module fault. Only issue is that MB only supply complete with the powered steering rack which needs changing at the same time.
Have requested a goodwill contribution and been offered 50% so reduced to £1,600 bill rather than £3,200!!! However dealer will not give me the parts and insist on them being returned to MB.
Have told the dealer to continue as 5-7 working days for delivery from Germany and want the car back. Separately I have taken up the safety issue and complained about the balance of £1,600/lack of investigation of Module failure direct with MB UK - evidently they have an AMG team who will contact me in due course.
Dealer has confirmed a Module fault. Only issue is that MB only supply complete with the powered steering rack which needs changing at the same time.
Have requested a goodwill contribution and been offered 50% so reduced to £1,600 bill rather than £3,200!!! However dealer will not give me the parts and insist on them being returned to MB.
Have told the dealer to continue as 5-7 working days for delivery from Germany and want the car back. Separately I have taken up the safety issue and complained about the balance of £1,600/lack of investigation of Module failure direct with MB UK - evidently they have an AMG team who will contact me in due course.
CarbonV12V said:
Current update.
Dealer has confirmed a Module fault. Only issue is that MB only supply complete with the powered steering rack which needs changing at the same time.
Have requested a goodwill contribution and been offered 50% so reduced to £1,600 bill rather than £3,200!!! However dealer will not give me the parts and insist on them being returned to MB.
Have told the dealer to continue as 5-7 working days for delivery from Germany and want the car back. Separately I have taken up the safety issue and complained about the balance of £1,600/lack of investigation of Module failure direct with MB UK - evidently they have an AMG team who will contact me in due course.
Do you know if this is an issue with all SL63's? I had an early one and like probably a large number of owners no longer have tier 1 cover.Dealer has confirmed a Module fault. Only issue is that MB only supply complete with the powered steering rack which needs changing at the same time.
Have requested a goodwill contribution and been offered 50% so reduced to £1,600 bill rather than £3,200!!! However dealer will not give me the parts and insist on them being returned to MB.
Have told the dealer to continue as 5-7 working days for delivery from Germany and want the car back. Separately I have taken up the safety issue and complained about the balance of £1,600/lack of investigation of Module failure direct with MB UK - evidently they have an AMG team who will contact me in due course.
Mercedes can be a bugger, my CL65 suffers from coil pack failure because of the ferocious heat generated by the engine. I firmly believe it is not fit for purpose and therefore they should be replaced free of charge. Having raised the issue a couple of times it's a case of 'talk to the hand' I'm afraid.
Well it's certainly an issue with the SL63 in the US and my UK model!
I have asked MB to explain but I can only keep the parts if I pay full retail for the parts. I also want an explanation of why I need a new steering rack at the same time as the module and why the module can't be replaced on it's own?
Details of the US recall notice are here:
https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2017/mercedes-b...
The initial response from MB AMG was to confirm the 50% contribution but I have asked them to reconsider as if it is the same fault they should be recalling the UK models too.
I have asked MB to explain but I can only keep the parts if I pay full retail for the parts. I also want an explanation of why I need a new steering rack at the same time as the module and why the module can't be replaced on it's own?
Details of the US recall notice are here:
https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2017/mercedes-b...
The initial response from MB AMG was to confirm the 50% contribution but I have asked them to reconsider as if it is the same fault they should be recalling the UK models too.
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