Luxury coupes and performance cars are once again under scrutiny as regulators and automakers confront fresh steering defects that can undermine driver control. Recent recalls involving high‑profile models show that even halo vehicles are vulnerable when critical steering components, from torque sensors to shafts and fasteners, are not engineered or installed correctly. While the specific technical failures vary, the pattern is clear: precision steering hardware in premium cars is becoming a recurring safety flashpoint.
The latest campaigns build on a growing body of defect investigations that now stretch across American muscle cars and European luxury SUVs and coupes. Owners who bought into the promise of sharp handling and effortless power steering are being told to return to dealerships for repairs that, in some cases, correct earlier fixes that did not work as intended. The stakes are not cosmetic; regulators are warning that misbehaving steering systems can trigger warning lights, unexpected assist behavior, or even a loss of control.
Ford’s Mustang Recalls Highlight Persistent Steering Risks
Ford’s experience with the current-generation Ford Mustang shows how a single steering defect can ripple through multiple model years and repair campaigns. Earlier in the cycle, the company identified a problem in the electric power steering system that affected roughly 30,000 cars, prompting a recall that focused on shaky steering behavior in 2022 and 2023 vehicles. That earlier action is now part of the backdrop for a new round of scrutiny, as regulators and owners track whether the fixes fully address the underlying issues in these high‑performance coupes.
The scale of the problem became clearer when safety data showed that 30,000-Plus cars were involved and that Ford was recalling more than 30,700 examples for an unintentional steering issue tied to the electric assist. Reporting on the campaign noted that affected vehicles included specific model years of the Ford Mustang and that the defect could cause the steering to move in ways the driver did not intend, a serious concern in a rear‑drive performance car. Owners were advised to use their vehicle identification number to confirm whether their coupe was covered and to schedule repairs promptly once parts and procedures were available.
Technical details from earlier coverage show that the steering problems were not abstract software glitches but were linked to hardware that interprets driver input. In one recall described in Jul 9, 2024 coverage, a steering torque sensor in the Ford Mustang, including versions with the Ice White Appearance Package, could send incorrect information to the power steering control module, leading to inconsistent assist. That defect underscored how sensitive modern steering systems are to the accuracy of the data they receive and how a misreading at the sensor level can translate into a car that feels unpredictable at the wheel.
The story did not end with the first wave of repairs. On Feb 25, 2025, new reporting revealed that About 30,000 2022 and 2023 Ford Mustangs were being called back again because some of the earlier fixes for shaky steering had been carried out incorrectly. The follow‑up campaign focused on ensuring that the electric power‑assisted system was repaired to the proper specification, a reminder that even when a defect is identified, execution at the dealership level can introduce new risk. For owners, that means paying close attention to recall notices and being prepared for multiple service visits when a complex steering issue is involved.
Luxury SUVs and Coupes Face Their Own Steering Hardware Failures
European luxury brands are confronting a different but equally serious steering problem, centered not on torque readings but on the physical integrity of the steering assembly. Recent recall documentation describes cases where steering components were not secured correctly, creating the possibility that a shaft or fastener could loosen over time. In vehicles that market themselves on precise handling and comfort, the idea that the steering hardware itself might come loose cuts directly against the promise of effortless control.
One campaign summarized in an Aug 19, 2025 defect report from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration details how a steering connection that was not properly secured could lead to a loss of control if it separates under load. The Page dated Aug 19, 2025, with a cover reference to August 22, 2025, lays out the formal NHTSA Campaign Number and explains how the Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration evaluated the risk. The language in that filing makes clear that even a single loose joint in the steering path is treated as a critical safety defect, particularly in heavier SUVs and coupes that place more stress on the system.
Further reporting shows that Aston Martin and Mercedes are among the manufacturers dealing with these hardware‑level steering issues in their premium lineups. Coverage dated Aug 24, 2025 notes that Aston Martin and Mercedes initiated important safety recalls after identifying a steering shaft that was not secured correctly, affecting models such as The EQE, GLC, and GLC Coupe. The report, by Michael Gauthier, explains that the improperly secured part could loosen, reducing steering response or, in the worst case, leading to a loss of directional control. For buyers who chose these vehicles for their blend of luxury and agility, the recall is a stark reminder that even flagship engineering can be undermined by a single assembly flaw.
Additional detail from another Aug 24, 2025 account shows how widespread the impact is within the Mercedes portfolio. One analysis notes that Mercedes Recalls 3,700 Vehicles Due to a Steering Issue, specifying that Mercedes Benz has recalled 3,749 GLC SUVs from particular model years because a steering component can come loose, compromising vehicle control. That figure underscores that the problem is not limited to a handful of exotic coupes but extends into higher‑volume luxury SUVs that share key steering architecture. For owners, the message is clear: even if the car feels normal today, a recall tied to a loose steering part is not something to postpone.
What Owners of Luxury Coupes Should Do Now
For drivers of performance coupes and luxury SUVs, the wave of steering‑related recalls is a prompt to verify their own vehicles’ status rather than assume that a premium badge guarantees immunity from defects. The most direct way to do that is to check the federal recall database, where owners can enter a vehicle identification number and see whether any open campaigns apply. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration maintains that portal at its main recalls page, which aggregates actions across brands, including Ford, Aston Martin, and Mercedes.
Once a recall is confirmed, the next step is to schedule service quickly and to keep records of the work performed, especially in cases where a steering defect has already required more than one repair attempt. The Ford Mustang experience, where earlier fixes for shaky steering had to be corrected, shows why documentation matters if questions arise later about whether a car was properly repaired. For owners of vehicles like the GLC Coupe or other affected models, the reports on improperly secured steering shafts and components that can come loose highlight the importance of not delaying a visit to the dealer, even if the car currently feels fine on the road. In a segment where precise steering is central to the driving experience, these recalls are a reminder that safety and performance depend on the smallest parts being installed exactly right.