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
Mercedes-Benz C300 steering lock-up problems
68 of the 2,727 owner complaints about the Mercedes-Benz C300 describe steering wheel locks up, most of them for the 2010 model year.
- owner complaints
- 68
- worst model year
- 2010
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,700
- typical mileage
- 78,000
By model year
Often reported together
Won't start 28Engine failure 8Power steering loss 2Door locks 2Warning lights 1Won't shift 1Loss of power 1
What owners say
I am filing this complaint regarding a serious and recurring steering system defect involving my Mercedes-Benz vehicle and Recall Campaign No. 2017120022 (steering column defect). Mercedes-Benz corporate representatives provided conflicting information regarding whether the recall repair was completed in 2018. One representative stated it was performed; another stated no record exists. I was never notified that a recall repair had been completed. This inconsistency raises immediate concerns regarding recall documentation integrity and owner notification compliance. The identical steering column system has now failed again, resulting in a complete steering column lock and vehicle immobilization. The repair estimate exceeds $2,500. A total steering lock is a critical safety failure with clear risk implications. If the recall repair was completed, recurrence of the exact same safety-critical component failure within only a few years strongly indicates that the original recall remedy was either improperly performed, defective in itself, or fundamentally inadequate to eliminate the defect. Steering column assemblies are not routine wear items. Mercedes-trained master technicians have confirmed that such failures are rare over a vehicle’s lifetime and highly unusual shortly after replacement. Federal safety recall law requires manufacturers to fully and permanently remedy safety defects at no cost to the consumer. A failed recall remedy that results in repeat failure of the same component shifts the burden improperly onto the owner and undermines the purpose of the recall system. I respectfully request that the federal safety agency formally investigate whether Recall 2017120022 has resulted in recurring steering column failures following recall repairs, evaluate the sufficiency of the remedy, review Mercedes-Benz USA’s recall tracking and notification procedures, and require reimbursement if the defect represents a failed recall correction.This matter shows a serious vehicle safety concern.
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
The electronic steering wheel lock went out causing the car to not start. Upon checking the Internet to see if anyone else was having this problem I found that it was a problem many Mercedes Benz owners have had and it's an expensive one. It's not just with my particular model and it's not limited to older models of the brand either.
The ESL or electronic steering lock is a very common issue with this year and model at around the 70k mile mark. You cannot start the car once this goes out and it’s over $2k to fix
The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while reversing at approximately 10 MPH, there was a clunking sound coming from the steering wheel. The contact shifted into drive and while driving approximately 15-20 MPH, the clunking sound persisted, and the steering wheel seized. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the aluminum bolts in the drive shaft had corroded and sheared off. The contact was informed that the steering rack and bolts needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The dealer had been informed of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the Service Campaign Number: 2019080019 (Steering). The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed the Service Campaign Number: 2019080019 (Steering). The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 78,000.
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
The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the steering wheel locked. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was scanned, and diagnostic trouble codes indicating the TRP and Power Steering failure were retrieved. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and required to be towed. An unknown local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle remained parked in the storage. The contact related the failure to an unidentified recall; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
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.
For the 2010 Mercedes Benz C300, the failure of the steering lock control unit resulted in the vehicle being unable to start its engine. Vehicle was disabled, and I was left stranded. Car had to be towed to my house and separately had to be towed to the Mercedes Benz car dealership service center. The technician at the Mercedes Benz car dealership service center recommended replacement of the steering lock. Yes, this car is available for inspection upon request. This same problem was reproduced in another Mercedes-Benz C300 car that I own. This other vehicle is a 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300. The car was not inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representative. The car was inspected by the Mercedes Benz dealer service center. No warnings or messages prior to the complete failure. This issue first appeared in August 2024. This steering lock failure is a critical issue as I had the same problem with another Mercedes Benz C300 that I own. Both steering lock failures for both cars resulted in the car being unable to start occurred around the same time period and were separately diagnosed and fixed at different Mercedes Benz dealer service centers.
Related recalls
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2022 C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL, EClass Coupe/Convertible, CLS, AMG GT 4-doors Coupe, and EQS vehicles with a heated leather steering wheel. Due to a software error in the hand detection control unit, the hands-off detection might not detect when the driver's hands are away from the steering wheel when using the Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC system.
- Risk
- Deactivated hands-off detection will prevent DISTRONIC system features from functioning, including warnings to grab the steering wheel and calling first responders as part of the Active Emergency Stop Assist, which can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the hand detection control unit software for the DISTRONIC system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 6, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022040010.
Recall number 22V189000 · Recall details
Steering
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling one 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400 Coupe and one C300 4Matic Coupe. The steering coupling may not have been correctly locked during manufacturing.
- Risk
- If the steering connection was not properly locked, the mechanical connection between the steering wheel and steering rack may come loose, reducing steering ability and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering coupling and lock it correctly if necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018120010.
Recall number 18V872000 · Recall details
Steering: rack and pinion: rack
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Mercedes Benz C300, 2017-2019 C300 Cabrio, C300 Coupe, C63 Cabrio, 2015 C63S AMG, 2018-2019 C300, C350e, C63 AMG, C63S AMG Cabrio, 2018 C63 AMG Cabrio, C63 AMG Coupe, C63S AMG, C63S AMG Coupe, E300, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2019 CLS450, E450 Cabrio, and E450 Coupe rear-wheel drive vehicles. A locknut in the steering rack may break under high load, possibly causing the steering to become stuck in one position.
- Risk
- A car that cannot be properly steered has an increased risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering rack, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019080012.
Recall number 18V850000 · Recall details
Steering
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz USA LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2014 C250, C300 4MATIC, GLK250 4MATIC BLUETEC and GLK350 vehicles, 2013 C250 Coupe, C350, C350 4MATIC Coupe, C350 Coupe and C63 AMG Coupe vehicles, and 2013-2015 GLK350 4MATIC vehicles. The steering coupling connecting bolt may have been insufficiently tightened, possibly resulting in a loss of steering.
- Risk
- A loss of steering can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering coupling connecting bolt, tightening it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372.
Recall number 17V252000 · Recall details
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016-2017 C300 vehicles. The electrical contacts for the power steering electric motor may not have been properly welded, possibly resulting in a loss of electrical contact.
- Risk
- A loss of electrical contact will cause the electric power steering assist to deactivate, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric power steering rack, free of charge. The recall began June 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372.
Recall number 17V243000 · Recall details
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2016 C300 4Matic vehicles manufactured November 4, 2015, to March 1, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the electric power steering assist system may shutdown due to a software error.
- Risk
- If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the electric power steering control unit, free of charge. The recall began January 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372.
Recall number 16V438000 · Recall details
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015 C300 and C400 4matic sedans manufactured January 27, 2014, to December 1, 2014. Due to an error in the electric power steering control unit software, the affected vehicles may have a loss of electric power steering assist.
- Risk
- If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the power steering software, free of charge. The recall began in January 15, 2016. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372.
Recall number 15V845000 · Recall details
Steering
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015 C300 4Matic and C400 4Matic vehicles manufactured March 28, 2014, to September 18, 2014. If the steering coupling interlock mechanism is not locked in place, the sliding shaft, which is part of the steering column, could become disengaged from the steering coupling socket due to vibrations, steering thrust, or load feedback from the road surface.
- Risk
- If the sliding shaft becomes disengaged from the steering coupling socket, the driver may experience noises, steering backlash, and in a worst case, loss of steering control, which may increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- MBUSA has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the steering coupling interlock mechanism to verify that it is in the locked position, free of charge. The recall began on October 1, 2014. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2014090008.
Recall number 14V598000 · Recall details
Questions about the Mercedes-Benz C300 steering lock-up
Which Mercedes-Benz C300 years have steering wheel locks up problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2010 (30 complaints), 2011 (20 complaints) and 2014 (6 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix steering wheel locks up on the Mercedes-Benz C300?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,700 (median of 14 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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