2008 Mercedes Benz C300: steering wheel locks up

Filed May 17, 2025 · Steering · CA

On [XXX] the car refused to start due to the electronic steering lock failure. The car was towed to the nearest Mercedes Benz Dealer at Stevens Creek Blvd, San Jose CA 95129. An inspection was done and Mercedes Benz wanted $3457.66 to replace the Steering Lock. This item is a recall item in other years of the C300 Mercedes Benz. Google shows: Mercedes-Benz has issued a recall for the Mercedes- Benz C-Class models, including the C300, due to potential steering lock issues. The recall specifically affects 2015- 2016 C300 models, as well as other C-Class variations like the 2017-2019 C300 Cabrio and Coupe. The recall is due to a potential problem with the Electronic Steering Lock (ESL) module, which is responsible for locking and unlocking the steering wheel. A faulty ESL module can prevent the steering wheel from unlocking, causing the vehicle to be unable to start. We feel that the recall should also apply to the C300 2008 model as it is exactly the same issue and completely incapacitates the car and is a danger to the public as involves the electronic steering. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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 Dec 19, 2019 · Electrical, Steering · 151,825 miles · GA

Electrical fault in 2008 c300 mercedes in front sam module has water intrusion from windshield water drain next to driver side fuse panel/ sam. Water intrusion caused customers vehicle to die while driving and caused esl steering lock to lock steering column and ignition key esi to lose communication with low voltage codes. Dash instrument cluster only comes on when opening the door and bcm becomes active. No response from ignition and driver almost lost control of vehicle when steering locked during malfunction/ power problems. Driver had vehicle towed with steering locked in a left turn. Esm[ewm] - electronic selector module(n15/5) 1 problems exist 1.u016800 communication with the electronic ignition lock has a malfunction. Ezs - electronic ignition lock(n73) 2 problems exist 1.a10d00 the power supply is too low._ 2.c14600 communication with the central gateway has a malfunction. Driver-side sam - front signal acquisition and actuation module 7 problems exist 1.b215f71 relay 1 ''circuit 15r'' has a malfunction.the actuator is blocked. 2.b212171 relay 1 ''circuit 15'' has a malfunction.the actuator is blocked. 3.b172b15 the output of the front footwell illumination has a malfunction.there is a short circuit to positive or an open circuit. 4.b179715 left standing light 2 has a malfunction.there is a short circuit to positive or an open circuit. 5.b126231 a magnetic interference field was detected. 6.b126322 control unit ''n10/1 (front sam control unit with fuse and relay module)'' has received no lin message from component ''compass module''. 7.b127a54 component ''compass module'' is not calibrated. Rear sam - rear signal acquisition and actuation module 2 problems exist 1.b182811 the output for remote trunk opening has a malfunction.there is a short circuit to ground. 2.u016800 communication with the electronic ignition lock has a malfunction.

Filed Jun 14, 2019 · Electrical, Steering · 142,017 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mercedes-benz c300. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start without warning. The vehicle was towed to mercedes-benz of south charlotte (950 n polk st, pineville, nc 28134, (704) 837-7955) where it was diagnosed that the electric power steering seized and caused the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 142,017. *as

Filed Feb 1, 2019 · Steering · 109,000 miles · TX

Issue: parked vehicle failed to start. Steering locked. Shifter locked. Sudden failure, no warnings. Vehicle towed to dealer. Dealer diagnostic: electronic steering lock (esl) failed. Affected p/n: 204-545-81-32. Special notes: (1) car maintained by dealer. Oem parts purchased from dealer. (2) this will be the second time part is replaced by the dealer on this vehicle. Last replaced in 2012. (3) contacted mb customer care (case manager) to share concern. Immediately stated: "not a safety concern." no interest in reporting issue to leadership or appropriate department. Safety concern and recommendations: (1) past history * and lack of oem intervention suggest esl could fail while vehicle is being driven causing driver to lose complete steering control of vehicle. (2) both a failure modes and effects analysis (fmea) and system safety analysis (ssa) should be performed and reported to the federal safety agency to ascertain this is not a safety issue. (3) safety summary report or official statement should be shared with the public. * over 100 combined complaints reported in this website, mb forums, and off-line.

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 Sep 18, 2018 · Electrical, Seat belts · 56,800 miles · CO

Transfer case reseal. I have a 2008 c300 I bought with 56k miles on it, I had to have the wheel bearings replaced immediately. When this service took place, I was informed that I need to have my transfer case resealed and the cam shaft magnets replaced. This car has such low miles on it. I do not understand how this is needed at this time. I have seen on many boards, this is a common problem. Why hasn't mb recalled this yet? It appears the 2008 model is plagued with problems as I have had to replace the steering lock as well as it failed. Again, common problem and not recall. I now have a seatbelt sensor that faulty. All of this before I have even hit 100k. My 2001 ml is well over 200k and I have never had these issues with the ml.

Filed Jul 30, 2018 · Electrical, Steering · 88,000 miles · CA

Takata recall car is completely locked up says remove key from ignition, left me stranded seems to be a common issue with this vehicle failure with steering lock and esl

Filed Jul 20, 2018 · Steering · 106,000 miles · VA

The electronic steering lock mechanism failed, locking the steering wheel, which prevented ignition and the ability to shift the vehicle into manual for towing. The vehicle was stopped on a public roadway in order to assist a lost child. After the police arrived to assist, the vehicle would not restart, pushed, or moved further off of the road. Research indicates that this repair is a common complaint on 2008 c300 cars and the oem parts were part of a bad batch of supplier parts.

Filed Jul 19, 2018 · Electrical, Steering · 127,669 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mercedes-benz c300. While attempting to start the vehicle, 'take the key out the ignition' appeared and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to mercedes-benz of boston (259 mcgrath hwy, somerville, ma 02143, (617) 666-4100) and repaired, but the contact was not aware of the diagnosis. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 127,669.

Filed Jun 6, 2018 · Steering · MN

Vehicle parked and locked in front my house. When atempting to start the vehicle, the steering wheel would not unlock. I tried two different key to start the vehicle, but still the steering wheel would not unlock. There is no warning light. Mercedes benz roadside assistant was called, and the car was towed to the mercedes benz dealer. Then, dealer confirmed that steering lock module in the column has failed and will need to be replace, and will cost $1100 parts, labor, and tax to get it done even when I have extended warranty. It was said that the service contract is a named component warranty and this component is not on the list, so it is not covered. The vehicle is now in at the mercedes benz dealer and is being worked on.

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.