2010 Mercedes-Benz C300: won't start

Filed May 10, 2026 · Airbags, Steering · MA

After having the airbag recall for my Mercedes done, the Electronic Steering Lock failed and my car would not start and the steering wheel is locked. They said my car was ready to pick up and when I arrived the car was completely inoperable. The MB Dealership in Lynnfield, MA wants $2700 to fix it. If you google Mercedes W204 ESLfailure you will see thousand of owners on facebook, message boards and forums that have this part fail, leaving people stranded in sometime dangerous situations. There should be a recall to permanently fix this issue as owners are getting stranded. Its really an issue of "when" the ESL will fail on older models and not "if". The kicker is, the dealership said only they can fix the problem as it is an anti-theft issue. This seems very wrong, owners shouldn't be forced to pay Mercedes to fix their defective, cheap electric motors in the ESL that fail on almost every model that its in. These defective motors are what causes the steering lock failure in almost every instance. MB acts like its normal to be driving properly one day and then next your steering is completely locked and your car will not start because a $15 electronic motor in the ESL failed. Furthermore, these are All wheel drive or rear wheel drive, in addition to the locked steering wheel which makes towing very, very difficult and unsafe. Thank you

Filed Dec 26, 2021 · Electrical, Steering · FL

After parking my car , turned ignition off, did some work for 45 minutes I came back attempting to start the car. The car won’t start, I am not hearing any of the normal sound that usually takes place when I place the key in ignition. Message on dashboard telling me to remove the key. Car will not start. After checking battery and calling mechanic they tell me the my steering wheel lock is bad. The ESL went bad out of nowhere. Car won’t start, steering wheel is locked and the only way to fix it is to take it Mercedes’ dealer and pay over $2000. I search on google and found out that this is a common issue with my 2010 C300. This is a manufacturing defect and Mercedes should recall it and pay for repair. In my case I parked my car in my garage, imagine if I was traveling on highway way and the steering wheel locks or failed on the side of busy interstate hwy. the worst part is that Mercedes dealer did nothing t warn me when I bought the car about this issue especially since it is know since 2008, and they will not allow after market parts to be installed by other mechanics. So this is defective and Mercedes should be forced to recall and replace for free. We should not wait for someone to die before this is fixed. This happened without any warning PLEASE FORCE MERCEDES TO RECALL AND FIX THE ESL NOW.

Filed Dec 13, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 155,500 miles · NH

Security system disables ignition due to a failure of the esl (steering lock). Nothing is wrong with the car it just won't start.

Filed Nov 7, 2020 · Electrical · 120,000 miles · CT

I was traveling to north carolina and pulled over to change my tire, my car would not start.leaving me stranded on the interstate. Again I arrived on north carolina and the will not start after staying at a friend's for the night. I cannot get back to connecticut. I researched and seen that this is an ongoing issue that is not being rectified.

Filed Aug 4, 2020 · Steering · CO

The steering wheel lock is stuck and now my car will not start. This is a known issue with mercedes cars of all makes & models. I put my key in and tried to start it and it failed to start. I thought it was the battery and had it tested and replaced. That is not the issue. The car still will not start and come to find out it is the steering lock motor that has failed. It is a esl failure.

Filed Feb 6, 2020 · Steering · 133,000 miles · NJ

My car was working completely fine all morning. I went to start it again but would not start at all. I would turn my key and get absolutely nothing. Doors and locks were still working.

Filed Jan 2, 2020 · Steering · NJ

Steering control lock unit has gone bad many issues car will not start leaves you stranded many people complaining about it over the internet same situation mercedes really needs to do something about this don't feel safe steering wheel can lock while driving this is not safe

Filed Dec 9, 2019 · Electrical · 160,000 miles · PA

My c300 is having a eis (electrical ignition system failure). Where the key in the ignition won't start the vehicle. It will leave you stranded and won't allow you to put the car in neutral because of the amir theft lock out box. Many people are having this issue. Simple research can show you that.

Filed Dec 5, 2019 · Steering · 105,394 miles · NJ

On or about 11/24/19, vehicle was parked in front of the house overnight and next morning, the vehicle did not start due to steering being locked electronically. Car did not have any power besides doors opening and would not shift into neutral. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer and service advisor contacted me to inform me that the vehicle locked the seething due to faulty switch. Vehicle was repaired and return to me on 12/4/2019. At this time, I am concerned for my safety due to possibility that the steering might lock while the vehicle is in motion.

Filed Jul 9, 2019 · Electrical, Steering · 71,517 miles · FL

The c300 model has a notorious problem with electronic steering locking leaving the car mobileless. Cannot even put in neutral for towing. The car simply won't start. It will leave a motorist stranded at any time, any place and without any warning and represents a dangerous hazard to motorist's safety. Mercedes should be brought to court via class action law suit. *tr *tr *tr *js consumer stated car has been repaired.*jb

Filed Feb 28, 2019 · Electrical, Steering · 63,690 miles · CA

Steering wheel locked in garage. "remove key from ignition" is message on instrument cluster. Car will not start. This car has less than 64k miles. Car was stationary in my garage. Now I have to pay a tow company to somehow get it out of garage, as it is front end in oriented (pulled in instead of backed in), and tow to dealership, and prepare for an overly inflated repair cost.

Filed Feb 2, 2019 · Electrical · FL

I read all the internet and forums almost every c300 has the same problem. It's not fair to the consumers that we pay for a manufacturing malfunction. Car won't start and show a msg of take car of ignition . It's a $2000 fix for something small but only can be fixed at the dealership. It's a highway robbery in bright day light . Please save the consumers from a greedy company . Last time I will ever own a benz .