2014 Mercedes-Benz C300: steering wheel locks up

Filed Feb 23, 2026 · Electrical, Steering · OR

Experiencing a failed Electronic Steering Lock (ESL). Car won’t crank or start even after verifying battery health and key fob. Symptoms point to a failed ESL, left stranded

Filed Nov 7, 2024 · Steering · PA

It's the esl electric steering lock this part is known to be defective and is posted online to fix and also bypass it. I am not a mechanic so I am told part alone is $570 at mercedes they have to program it. This part is know to break and only they can reprogram it. This should be a safty issue. The car rtdoes not start because of it and it locks the steering wheel in place. The code for it on car is a25464 code on car. This is a known problem and it makes the car undrivable. I don't have files but had car toed 2 times. I will have recept after it's fixed

Filed Nov 6, 2024 · Electrical, Steering · 158,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that an unidentified recall was previously completed on the vehicle; however, the recall remedy failed to prevent the failure from occurring. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the steering wheel locked. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the electronic steering lock and the TRP needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 158,000.

Filed May 30, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · NJ

Parked the car, did something, came back and car did not start. Key in, no crank, no start, no steering. No lights on the dash, no gear shifting, can’t roll the windows up. All out of nowhere. Think it’s a problem with the Electronic Steering Lock.

Filed Jan 5, 2021 · Electrical, Steering · 65,000 miles · VA

While driving on 95 highway taking an exit ( making a right turn roundabout) the steering wheel locked on me preventing me from continuing in the direction of the exit causing me to almost crash into the metal railings; because my wheels now where locked in a position that would force me to crash into the railings had I not stopped. I stopped and turn the car off and restart for the steering wheel and system to reset and unlock. This incident occurred around 2018 or 2019. I notified mercedes of what happened and I received notification of a recall on the steering. I had the recall checked on my vehicle and thought it was fixed. However, twice in november 2020 my car was stationary when trying to start the car, the steering was locked and the ignition would not start. Then after making several attempts car eventually started. I called mercedes and I was told over the phone by mercedes it could be my key faub. However, this happened a 4th time on dec 24, 2020, numerous attempts to start car and car would not start, steering was locked. Car had to be towed to dealership. Was told by mercedes theres a fault in the steering lock modular. The electrical wiring is faulty and the entire steering modular has to be replaced. This is a major safety issue, and can cause accidents when it malfunctions while driving. I asked about the recall that was on the steering and was told the recall addressed a different issue with the steering.

Filed Dec 7, 2019 · Electrical, Steering · 47,582 miles · GA

The car was stationary and when trying to start the steering was locked and ignition would not start. The car had the steering locked and electronic ignition switch spontaneously corrupted and required replacement.