1998–2003 Mercedes-Benz M Class Recall: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE HOSE CLAMP USED TO SECURE THE POWER…

NHTSA campaign 03V121000 · Steering · filed Mar 27, 2003 · verified Jul 30, 2026

Units reported

211K

Manufacturer

MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.

Risk

Safety

Owner letters

Mailing began Jun 16, 2003

The defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER 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.

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

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HOSE CLAMP ON THE POWER STEERING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING COOLER. DURING CLAMP REPLACEMENT, THE POWER STEERING COOLING HOSE WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED AS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 16, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

MERCEDES-BENZ RECALL NO. 2003-040005.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Affected vehicles

Make	Model	Model years
Mercedes-Benz	M Class	1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003

Related recalls

More Mercedes-Benz M Class recalls

Other campaigns involving Mercedes-Benz vehicles

All Mercedes-Benz M Class recalls → · All Mercedes-Benz recalls →

Source: NHTSA recall database, campaign 03V121000 (manufacturer number 2003-040005). Data last verified Jul 30, 2026.