2008 Mercedes Benz C300: won't start

Filed Nov 7, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · TX

Car worked fine, all the sudden it wouldn't turn over, I would put the key in and turn it and nothing would happen, I was stuck and had to catch a ride, lucky that I was able, a car company that is supposedly reliable shouldn't allow there cars to completely give out on people during the middle of winter storms and not take ownership, when the customer has taken good care of the car. Talked to several mechanics and turned out it was the Electronic Steering Lock (ESL) module that had malfunctioned probably due to the software and electrical. Due to this only the Benz dealerships can repair, I had to tow it to a dealership and was charged around $2000 after haggling over the price. Terrible experience and should be recalled by MB, I have seen many complaints about this online and was very disappointed there wasn't a cheaper solution. Was both a safety issue, inconvenient and very costly.

Filed May 14, 2021 · Electrical, Steering · CA

Drove 4 blocks away from my home to the store in merced ca on gst and 20th..when I tried to start the car it didn't start and my steering wheel was locked.and I couldn't take it out of park. I have had to replace tail lights a few times this last month. ## VIN passed ## mercedes-benz 2008 c300 ##

Filed Feb 26, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · OH

This is the 2nd time this has happened. I turned the car off and came back out and it would not start. The front wheels were locked. The key went in and turned. The lights and power was there but, the car would not start. The front wheels were locked and so was the drive shifter. The first time the car was in a parking lot and my wife was left stranded. The second time was in out driveway. We came home to get something and when we went out it wouldn't start.

Filed Apr 2, 2020 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 124,000 miles · AZ

Took car in for airbag recall, week later the car wont unlock, had to pay $50 to get in, was told battery had 12.4 amps, car wont turn over, electronic systems not engaging, alarm goes off, replaced battery $160checked fuses and bought $25, nothing now having to tow back to mercedes benz of chandler that did my "recalls" out of pocket. The recall service messed it up. The exact thing as in complaint 212.

Filed Mar 13, 2019 · Steering · 72,000 miles · GA

After driving completely normally for over 30 minutes, I parked in a lot and stepped out of the car without issue to run an errand. After getting back into the car only 5 minutes later, the car would not start. There was no noise, just an message on the display: "remove key from ignition". No other lights came up. The key could turn, but nothing else happen. After determining that it was not a battery or engine issue, the car was towed to a local dealership that determined that it was a failure of the steering column lock, which caused the no start condition. This was a sudden failure with no warnings, leaving driver and passengers completely immobile. Dealership is charging over $1600 for replacement, citing that this is a common issue with this model.

Filed Nov 26, 2018 · Steering · GA

I got out of my vehicle to stop at an atm when I got back into my parked car it would not start. None of the diagnostics worked. The dealer told me that the steering column lock stopped working. This is a common problem for the c300.

Filed Sep 24, 2018 · Electrical, Steering · 125,000 miles · GA

Car will not start after diving. Power from battery is good. Door still lock and unlock. This particluaf brand has issue with electronic steering locking and leaving car mobileless. Cannot place car in neautral for towing.

Filed Aug 15, 2018 · Electrical · 65,000 miles · SC

The vehicle will not start and doesn't recognize the key. The vehicle was completely dead and had to jump start it. I drove the car to have the battery replaced thinking that was it. When I arrived at the garage, the vehicle would not restart and had to be towed to the dealership for repairs as the dealership was the only one that could diagnose and repair.

Filed May 2, 2018 · Steering · 50,000 miles · TX

Car won't start and showed no symptom. After reading the blog it appears a lot people are going through the same issue and dealerships are the only authorized to work on them and taking people hard earned money. It stopped working working at 18583 dallas parkway suite 120 dallas, tx 75287 while it was parked. Park place mercedes is working on the vehicle and charging is more than thousand.

Filed Mar 29, 2018 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 120,000 miles · AZ

Takata recall , eis , esl seized up and car won't start anymore , common problem with this car and repair is costly should be recalled since it's a manufactured defect and not caused by the user, this problem can leave anyone stranded in the worst of situations and it can seize up while vehicle is in motion causing accidents and danger to the driver and passenger

Filed Feb 14, 2018 · Steering · 72,400 miles · NY

The electron steering lock failed on my 2008 c300. There were no warning lights that came on previously but the car just did not start one day. This problem is prevelant among many owners so mercedes should cover the cost of repair.

Filed Feb 14, 2018 · Electrical · 86,990 miles · TX

My car would not start... Nothing when the I turn the key into the on position . The battery was checked and was good. This happed several times over months but twice the car started after sitting maybe 8 hours. This happened a third time a few months later. I was stranded and ended up having the car towed home. I tried starting it the next day ..nothing. My authorized mercedes repair shop informed me that it was the electronic ignition module. I waited 2 weeks for the part. Cost was $1600. Just a note... I occasionally heard a faint noise like a motor running inside of my car whenever I turned the ignition off for a couple years but did not think it was any thing to be concerned but apparently this may have been a sign of a failing part.