Daimler recalling Mercedes autos over power steering

WASHINGTON — Daimler AG said Monday it was recalling more than 100,000 Mercedes-Benz vehicles in the United States and the United Kingdom to prevent a loss of power steering fluid.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a posting to its website Monday that the recall involved Mercedes-Benz C-Class vehicles from the 2010 model year and Mercedes-Benz E-Class vehicles from the 2010-2011 model years. The recall involves vehicles produced between June 2009 and late February 2010.

About 85,000 vehicles are being recalled in the United States and more than 22,000 are being recalled in the United Kingdom, the automaker said. Daimler said it was a global recall but did not have details on additional markets that could be covered.

Daimler told the U.S. government that the loss of fluid could make it difficult to control the vehicle in a parking lot, where maximum power steering is required.

The German automaker said in a statement that the gradual loss of fluid was generally followed by a whining noise from the power steering's pump, which could make it difficult to steer while parking.

Daimler said the vehicle remains steerable.

The recall is expected to begin this month. Owners in the United States may contact Mercedes-Benz at (800) 367-6372.