Steering wheel will lock disabling the car from being started .the key will turn but the car will not start . Good thing it was parked on driveway !we are unable to move the car whatsoever , shift mechanism is locked as well disabling the movement of car
2008 Mercedes Benz C300 electrical complaints
Page 3 of 9: complaints 41 to 70 of 228, newest first, as owners wrote them.
My mercedes was running good all day then when I went to the mall and came back back to start my car it had no power. We try jumping the car nothing. Use a different key nothing.. It won't start I had to call a tow truck . I took it to mercedes dealer just to look at it $300 .. Now they say it's the key ingotion that needs to replace cost me $1200+.. I just bought the car 7 months ago I have no warrant.. I google the problem and it's a common problem that ppl have plz investigate this problem cuz it cost a lot of money to fix and I'm out of a car for a week . Thank you
Takata inflators recall SRS controls manufacturing error this auto should have never left the factory floor it has cost me considerable mental upset and money which I can not afford it parked unsafe to drive engine lite on mercedes should repair or rebuilt this auto I am a disable veteran and need my transportation. Mercedes should take the air bags out better there out than go off accidently
Approximately two years ago the electronic steering lock module (esl module) failed and the vehicle would not start while the steering wheel and transmission shifter were locked. Had to take to the dealer to replace the module at a cost of $840.00. Right now the electronic ignition switch module (eis module) failed and again the steering wheel and transmission shifter were locked and the car will not start. Dealer is asking for $1150.00 to repair. These are known defects in mercedes vehicles. I asked mercedes benz USA to cover the cost of the repairs of the vehicle in both cases and they have refused to admit that these are known defects and to repair the vehicle free of charge.
Vehicle parked and locked. When I attempted to unlock vehicle with remote control, vehicle would not unlock. Door had to be opened manually with "key". When attempting to start vehicle, no warning lights went on in position 2 and car woud not start in position 3. Towing company was called. Was unable to start vehicle. Vehicle towed to mbz dealer. Dealer confirmed that the electronic ignition steering lock malfunctioned and required replacement. Replacement completed.
The steering wheel locks up and will not move. Dealership and web state this is a common problem with this model of the car and the eis and esl switches need to be removed and replaced.
Electronic steering wheel lock prevents car from starting. Car was at a stop and motor turned off - car would not restart. Stranded miles from home. This has occurred multiple times necessitating auto club to attempt to start.
Esp control module as I was driving on the highway, specifically getting off the interstate on a curved road, all of a sudden the following message/code illuminated across my dashboard, "brake" ebr ABS esp inoperative. I wasn't sure what this meant and I was extremely alarmed and nervous. As soon as I could I brought it into the shop and the technician told me it wasn't a brake issue, it was a faulty electronic stability control panel that needed to be replaced. The technician told me that he had just replaced these in about 4 other vehicles. Same exact problem. After doing research, it is a major safety concern because it reads the wheel data from the sensors as well as the ABS module which prevents traction and slippage when driving on the road, when making sharp turns, or even turning left or right. The car seems to fishtail. It also prevents stability on the road in the event of a crash. I've also noticed it has affected other areas of the car such as the turn signal, cruise control mechanism, steering column and starting up the car has also been an issue. I've had to turn the ignition switch a couple of times to get the car started. The car is also driving rougher than usual. This is a major concern for us because I am a single mother and I have a nine year old son who drives with me frequently. I'm worried about our safety. Not to mention our front driver and passenger takata airbags still have a recall that have yet to be dealt with. It has been well over a year and the problem still hasn't been resolved. This esp control module costs $1,500 to replace and I cannot afford this. I'm driving around in a ticking time bomb just waiting for something to happen. It is a major concern and needs to be addressed immediately. Thank you for your time and I certainly hope you take this seriously and place this on the recall list to avoid a bad situation.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mercedes-benz c300. While attempting to start the vehicle, it was discovered that the vehicle was completely inoperable and disabled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the electronic identification system was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 101,000.
Esl/eis failure. When the key is inserted the car will not start. Lights work but windows and dash message are not working.
Last week I drove my daughter to school. Then I went to the gas station and turned the car off. When I tried to start the car to leave, it would not start. It did not do anything. I could not even roll the windows up. The car did nothing other than say "remove ignition key." the battery was tested and fine. It had just been replaced 1 month ago. The tow truck driver brought it to my mechanic who then said it had to be brought to the dealer. The mercedes dealer said it was the eis/steering switch. The cost will be $1900. I've called other mechanics. No-one can fix it because mercedes has the parts and coding exclusively. This is a lot of money and with the amount of complaints it should be a recall. Last year my car also experienced the SRS light malfunction. I brought it to the dealer and this was also another huge expense. The dealer did not take the responsibility of a recall. They acted like it was a big surprise.
Start failure and locked steering wheel
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mercedes-benz c300. The contact stated that the vehicle started and shut off while in park. The failure did not occur while driving. The contact also smelled a fuel odor. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 80,000.
Eis failure. Vehicle has 136,000 miles. Inserted key into ignition and tried to start the vehicle. Nothing happened, no start. Transmission stuck in park. Tried jump starting, replaced battery even though it tested o.k. But was old enough to make me question it's viability, checked fuses, etc. Online research shows that eis failure is a fairly common issue with mb products, particularly the c class. This is not an owner reparable item. Will have to have the vehicle towed to a dealership and repaired there at the usual inflated cost of doing so.
Ordinary day at my job, got off and went to my car and put the key in lights in the instrument cluster came on and message was " remove the key" turn the key to accessory nothing happens, turn it all the way to start the ignition nothing happens, the vehicle is stuck in park and there is no way to move the shifter. After a research online and few phone calls I found out that this is a very common problem among mercedes vehicles. I took it to the dealer they did diagnose it for steering wheel lock and quoted me $1,300 for repairs. I do believe this should be a recall or at lease mercedes-benz of USA take it's part and reimburse the parts since it's a very common problem. I'm not happy at all of the way they deal with this problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mercedes-benz c300. The contact stated that the turn signals failed to operate. It was discovered that the cable wire connected to the turn signal light bulbs were damaged. The contact also stated that the parking indicator also failed and the cable connected to the parking indicator was damaged. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer where it was diagnosed that a new headlight assembly was needed. The contact was also informed that the vehicle was out of warranty and would have to pay out of pocket for the repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 105,000.
2008 mercedes c300 with bad esl. Cost to fix is $1200. Seems like this is a known issues with mercedes as an internet search leads to many other who have had the same issue. I parked the car at work, then went out several hours later to go to lunch and it would not start. There was no sound of the starter or any other noises when trying to start the car. I thought it was the battery, but all the lights and everything else electrical worked on the car. Just to be safe, tried to jump the car, but it still did not start. Car was stuck and could not shift it into neutral. Had to call a tow truck to get it towed my local mbz dealer. Turns out it has a bad esl.
An hour after parking the vehicle, I was unable to start it back up. Had it towed to the dealer and diagnosed with eis/esl failure, at a cost of $1700 to replace. Mercedes disavowed all knowledge of this being a common issue, despite hundreds of online complaints to the contrary. All signs point to this being due to a cheap/faulty part at manufacture, which can fail at any time, leaving drivers stranded in potentially unsafe areas or on the side of the road. Car has 75000 miles and exemplary service record.
When replacing a headlight bulb I noticed the h7 wire was completely exposed with no insulation, as I tried to wrapped them in electrical tape to get a temporary fix, the little insulation still left on the cable crumbled. I encourage to check the cable insulation on your vehicle as this can cause a shortage and fail headlights.
Car was parked and went to drive car. It will not start. Both keys will not work. Problem is with electronic ignition switch failure. No instrumentation display. Can not shift car out of park. Tried jumping car and it will not start. Replaced battery and it will not start.
C300 not starting due to bad electronic steering lock mechanism, seems to be common.
Car will not start while parked. Battery checked and tested good by aaa. Steering wheel locked. Car will not shift out of park. Towed to christian brothers automotive and problem was diagnosed as eis failure. Was told that this is a very common problem for this car. However, it is a 'dealer only' repair due to mercedes refusal to either sell parts or release codes to independent dealers. Was also told there is a lawsuit attempting to force mercedes to cease with the proprietary baloney. The repairs are very expensive and there is no alternative to the dealership. This needs to be a recall or, at the very least, all the necessary parts and codes need to be made available to independent repair facilities.
Car wont start ,local mechanic refer to common problem (ignition moduel),I was coming out of the cvs phatmacy and the car just wont start ,called mb the y asked me to jump start but nothing ,different key nothing so I towed to the dealer .
From a parked vehicle, I unlocked car and inserted key and turned to start position 2. No steering unlock, shift lever stuck in park and no engine start. Message "take your key from ignition" appeared as well when I opened door. Voltage from battery was 12.7 vdc. Had car towed to mercedes benz dealer and was diagnosed with eis failure (electronic ignition system). Cost for repair: $1,350.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mercedes benz c300. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering lock and ignition module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 99,000.
I took my c300 mercedes benz (with only 52,000 miles), to the mercedes benz of miami dealership to check the wiring in both head lamps, since the headlights were intermittently flickering on and off, while driving at night. This electrical problem was of serious concern for me as a 72 years' old senior, could be a dangerous safety issue, creating a life and death situation. Mercedes benz dealership assistant service manager, juan obando, told me that the wiring to the headlamps was corroded and could not be replaced. I would have to buy two (2) complete new headlamp assembly units costing $1,890.- plus tax and labor installation. While driving at nights and unpredictably and intermittently losing head and low beam lights, is of grave safety concern to me and creates a hazard to pedestrians and other drivers on the roadway and highways. Updated 03/29/2017
Key is not recognized when inserted in the ignition. Therefore, car will not start. Dealership states that the electronic ignition switch (eis)is faulty. This problem is well documented through out the USA. The repair costs is estimated at $800-2,000 dollars. On july 19th, 2016, I ran several errands. Once at home, I tried to start my car. The ignition did not turn but battery life was strong. Dashboard read " remove key car will not start..."
On july 21,2016 at 9am and I parked my car and went to work, 2 hours later came back and try to start the car, did not start. Car door locks and trunk locks open and close but when I turn the ignition on , no response, no display on instrument panel around speedometer gauges. No hissing or cranking or beeping noise also. Steering column was also locked up and inoperable.about 2 years ago command screen with lcd display that controls all functions smoked a little and was shut down display. Going to the last weeks problem steering column has locked me out and also eis that is the communicator from ignition switch and alternator or started do not function also. I happened to see more than hundreds of car with the same year group and model has smiliar problems .my car mileage was 93121. I would like make this as a manufacturing problem of unreliability of the parts and the manufacturer let it roll off assembly line with out doing diligent testing of the parts involved from the suppliers for reliablity and durability and in turn cost the consumers $2000-3000 of unnecessary expense/troubleshoot and fix/ than you very much for your help.
Electronic ignition switch (eis) has failed twice! In 6 weeks and now the electronic steering lock must also be replaced. There is a concern that the esl may malfunction and lock steering while driving. This issue appears to be wide spread in 2008 and 2009 mercedes c300 vehicles. No support from mercedes after calls to nj headquarters.
Parked vechile to make a quick stop when I returned vechile will not start. Got a jump and it was confirmed it was not the battery car was only at 75000 miles
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