1998–2004 Mercedes-Benz M Class Recall: Steering
NHTSA campaign 08V465000 · Steering · filed Sep 17, 2008 · verified Jul 30, 2026
The defect
MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING 125,228 MY 1998-2004 M-CLASS VEHICLES. THE HOSE CLAMP USED TO SECURE THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLER MAY NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CLAMPING FORCE FOR THIS CONNECTION.
The risk
THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID MAY RESULT IN DIMINISHED POWER STEERING OVER TIME AND ULTIMATELY CAN DAMAGE THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →The fix — what to do
AN EARLIER RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED ON THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT TO PREVENT A FUTURE LEAKAGE OR FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING HOSE CONNECTION (PLEASE SEE 03V121). SINCE IT IS NOT POSSIBLE THROUGH INSPECTION TO IDENTIFY SPECIFIC VEHICLES THAT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY REPAIRED, ALL VEHICLES REPAIRED PRIOR TO NOVEMBER 15, 2003, WILL BE REPAIRED AGAIN. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
MERCEDES-BENZ RECALL NO. 2003040005.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Affected vehicles
Related recalls
More Mercedes-Benz M Class recalls
- 1999–2003 Mercedes-Benz M Class — Vehicle Speed Control
- 2009 Mercedes-Benz M-Class — Exterior Lighting
- 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL and 2 other models — Steering
- 2007–2008 Mercedes-Benz C and 18 other models — Electrical System
- 2007 Mercedes-Benz M-Class and 1 other model — ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MIGHT NOT HAVE…
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All Mercedes-Benz M Class recalls → · All Mercedes-Benz recalls →
Source: NHTSA recall database, campaign 08V465000 (manufacturer number 2003040005). Data last verified Jul 30, 2026.