Mercedes C-Class recall over steering problem

Mercedes announced today a worldwide recall of its newly launched Mercedes C-Class, after a problem with the steering mechanism was highlighted in European factories. 

VOSA (the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) has confirmed the UK recall on its website. It shows that 8,145 C-Class cars are affected in this country, and these are models built between the 17th of January and the 22nd of September 2014.

It also states that the problem is the steering column coupling lock, which may not have been installed correctly. This would normally become apparent via a noise in the steering. However, in extreme circumstances control of the car's steering could be affected. 

Mercedes stresses, however, that it is purely a precautionary measure on behalf of the company. Dealers will liase with owners to get the work done as soon as possible, and the check itself will take around 30 minutes. It also states that the cars are safe to drive until then.

The company has already recalled 28,000 examples of the C-Class in Germany, and 10,500 in the US. The problem is believed to only stem from European factories, mostly in Germany itself. Mercedes stated that the issue has been fully rectified on cars sold from the 22nd of September onwards.