Mercedes-Benz Steering Wheel Stuck Up Won’t Go Down

The steering wheel adjustment function on a Mercedes-Benz may stop working. The most common failure is the steering wheel gets stuck and will no longer move up or down but still move in and out. In some cases, the steering wheel may move up but not down.

This problem affects several Mercedes-Benz models (E, C, S, CLK, SL, SLK, ML, GL, GLK, etc.) that use electric motors to adjust the steering wheel position.

The most common problem with the Mercedes-Benz steering wheel is that it gets stuck and won’t move down.

The quickest way to fix this problem is to extend the steering wheel out, then tape the steering wheel several times at the top or push up with your knee from the bottom as you press the steering wheel adjustment switch in the same direction. This simple procedure will often unfreeze a stuck Mercedes steering wheel.

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If your Mercedes-Benz steering wheel adjustment is frequently getting stuck and the vehicle is still under warranty, have the dealer repair it free of charge.

If your vehicle is out of warranty, we recommend turning off easy access features and not leaning on the steering wheel when you enter or exit the vehicle.

Symptoms

• The steering wheel moves in and out but not up and down.
• The steering wheel adjustment function stops working intermittently.
• The UP/DOWN steering wheel is not working.
• The easy Entry/Exit feature is not working.
• The steering wheel is stuck at the top.
• The steering wheel height adjustment stopped working.
• steering wheels are stuck in the up position
• The steering wheel will not move up or down but in and out.
• The steering wheel is stuck up and won’t go down.

Why does a Mercedes-Benz steering wheel get stuck?

If your Mercedes-Benz is stuck and won’t move, the motor that adjusts the steering wheel is stuck,

• The motor can be defective,
• You have blown a fuse for the driver’s seat module, and the steering adjust does not have its fuse circuit.
• The nylon link between the motor and steering column (dogbone) is broken, or the steering column adjustment is out of sync.

The most common issue is that the plastic gear mounted (Which can be purchased on eBay) on the steering column gets stuck, causing the steering adjustment motor to draw too much current. We see this problem with older vehicles, especially with easy entry/exit features.

Why can a Mercedes-Benz steering wheel only be adjusted in one direction? 

If the steering wheel moves in one direction but not the other, you may have a synchronization issue. For example, the steering wheel may move up but not down. The steering wheel may move out but not in. To fix this problem, move the steering wheel in a position that can move all the way.

Then, hold the switch for five more seconds even after the steering wheel has stopped moving. Now, move the steering wheel in the opposite direction, and once the steering wheel reaches the other limit, continue to hold the switch pressed for another five seconds.

Why does my Mercedes steering wheel adjust in and out but not up and down?

Extended the steering wheel out using the adjustment switch. Tap on the steering wheel with the palm of your hand while you press the adjust button to move it down. It may take a few tries and a good hit. This will fix it in most cases but do not carry out this procedure if you do not feel comfortable.

The steering wheel won’t adjust at all.

If the steering wheel will not adjust in all directions and you do not hear the steering column motor run, you may have an electrical problem or blown fuse. Check the fuse for the driver’s seat control unit. The steering wheel does not have a fuse.

If the fuse is not blown and you do not have a fault code stored in the driver’s seat control unit, you may have a broken nylon link between the steering column and the motor(often called a dogbone), a faulty motor. To fix this problem permanently, the motor that adjusts the steering column must be replaced, which requires removing the steering column.

What to do if you have your Mercedes-Benz steering wheel stuck?

• Do not lean on the steering wheel when entering or exiting the vehicle. Leaning on the steering wheel can cause it to become stuck.
• If your Mercedes-Benz is still under warranty, have the dealer repair it under warranty. The first time you take the car in, the dealer may tell you they did a software update or lubricated the steering column gears. These are only temporary fixes, and the steering wheel will get stuck again. If the problem happens, you need to be persistent and have the dealer replace the steering column motor to fix the problem permanently. Don’t wait until the vehicle is out of warranty.
• If your Mercedes-Benz is out of warranty and you are starting to have issues with the steering wheel adjustment, consider turning off the Easy Entry / Exit feature if it is enabled. The buttons on the steering wheel can be used to disable this feature via the instrument cluster.
• Do you hear the motor running when you press the steering wheel adjustment switch? If yes, the problem can be due to a broken plastic inside the steering column, often called the dog bone. This is a $10 part, but is a very labor-intensive job to replace. Check out this DIY to find out what it takes to replace it.
• Suppose your steering wheel height adjuster still works, and you have experienced problems with the steering wheel moving up and down. We recommend deactivating the enter/exit auto steering wheel height feature in that case. You will still be able to adjust the steering wheel when you want.
• In most models, the driver seat control module powers the steering wheel adjustment motor. If you need to check the fuse for the steering wheel adjustment, check the fuse for the driver’s seat control module. On CLK W209, it is fused 27 and 29, but it could be a different fuse on other models.
• Lubricate. Remove the dash cover and lubricate the gear.

This problem affects many Mercedes-Benz models equipped with power adjustment, including E, C, S, SL, SLK, CL, CLK, ML, GL, and R Class.

This problem is so widespread that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has investigated the Height adjustment of electric steering column adjustment sticks in adjustment position at the top stop. You can file a complaint as well by filling out this form. 

Additional Resources

1. HOW TO: Fix power steering column that will not move up and down
2. Height adjustment of electric steering column adjustment does not operate

We hope you find the Mercedes-Benz Steering Wheel Stuck Up Won’t Go Down guide helpful. Check these troubleshooting and repair guides for more help on your Mercedes-Benz.

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