Vehicle recall 08V465000 · September 17, 2008
1998-2004 Mercedes-Benz M Class
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.
Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
- Notes
- 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.
Recall details
- NHTSA campaign
- 08V465000
- Reported to NHTSA
- September 17, 2008
- Filed by
- MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.
- Manufacturer campaign
- 2003040005
- Owner notification
- November 15, 2008
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 125,228
- Initiated by
- NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation
- Components
- Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
Vehicles covered
As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.
Has your Mercedes-Benz been repaired?
Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.
NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. Recall repairs are free.