Unable to start the car. Able to operate lights and radio, but nothing else. There was no warning of an issue. Battery was good. Checked on line for problems with starting for this model and notified the dealer. Car was in the garage at the time. This could have occurred at any time. Unable to put the car in neutral or turn the steering wheel. Car ended up being towed to the dealer. They replaced the electronic steering lock. This is not the type of issue that you want to happen to you when you are away from home.
2009 Mercedes Benz C300 electrical complaints
Page 3 of 8: complaints 41 to 70 of 198, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Els/eis sysytem. My 2009 c300's ignition/steering locked up. Neither key will work. Car completely shut down. Have found 100's of the exact same faulty equipment complaints regarding this issue online. ( http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2009/mercedes/c300/steering/problem.aspx ). This just one of many complaint sites listing the same problem. I had to have the car towed to my local repair facility. They informed that (only) mercedes dealers can repair the problem because of the "codes" required & that mercedes will not release these codes and/or will not supply the replacement parts to "other" garages. I (now) have to have the car towed again to mercedes benz. Costs range (across USA), from $1,100.00 up to $3,300.. The car was parked and there was no "prior" warning displayed on the "instrument panel" warning system.. With all these exact same complaints, regarding this extremely expensive repair is apparent that this is a "faulty" system and why the federal safety agency has not issued a "recall" is beyond comprehension. Consumers deserve better when purchasing an auto of such "supposed" quality.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 mercedes benz c300. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, it failed to start. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 72,076. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 mercedes benz c300. The contact stated that while attempting to start the engine, the key failed to turn from the off to on position and the steering wheel seized. When the failure occurred, all the warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 133,000.
Common and known issue with m benz c300 eis/els/steering column. Car engine just dies and will not start due to electrical component malfunction. An expensive, possibly dangerous problem that has not been recognized by mercedes-benz it appears from the other comments on this forum and others. My 2009 c300 was running fine. I maintain regular service. Stopped to grab lunch. Fortunately, I was not in motion or in a dangerous area or in the middle of night in the middle of nowhere. The car would not re-start, yet the lights, radio, panel all appeared to be working, although "remove key from ignition" message appeared. Thought it could be a battery or alternator issue. Had to have car towed to 2 different places, the last of which was the mbenz dealership over an hour away. This occurred at 80k miles on odometer. A major safety and possibly dangerous situation. I thought the mb brand was about reliability, quality, safety. So disappointed. Manufacturer's defective product.
The car will not start, from stationary. It was parked there 10 minutes ago. Towed to the dealership and was told it has a bad esl (electronic steering lock). The repair bill over $1300.00. The issue has been widely reported and seems to be a manufacturing defect. Mercedes benz should cover this cost.
Went to get in my car to go home. Once I put my key in the ignition and turn it, nothing happens. The steering wheel remains locked, and the car will not start. I can hear the steering lock click, but not unlock the steering wheel as soon as I put my key in the ignition.
I parked the car, and turned it off completely. When I returned to the car, they key fob would only turn the dashboard lights on, but the car will not start. The steering wheel is locked, and I cannot change the gear from "p". A message would appear "remove key from ignition" whenever the door is open. I have searched and it appears to be a very common problem in these models, where the eis or esl fails for no reason. The qoutes for this repair range from $1000 to $3000. I had to tow the car to my apartment, and now I have to tow the car to the dealership because they are the only ones who can solve this issue and reprogram it after installing the new parts.
When I returned to my car in the parking lot after grocery shopping in the evening, the car would not start. The radio and lights on the dashboard worked and the seat moved, but the engine would not start. I had this car checked not too long ago and everything was fine, but the car just decided not to work suddenly. This is especially scary for a female stranded in a public parking lot at night. I did not get any warning messages before the incident. I had to call roadside assistance and try jump starting it first, which wasn't the problem as the battery was fully charged. I ended up having to tow the car early next morning because the dealer was closed and had to take a cab home. When I went to the dealer and stated all the "symptoms", mb knew right off the bat what the problem was, which to me is alarming. They told me they are 99% sure it is either electronic ignition switch or electronic steering lock problem and it would cost me $1200 to repair it. It obviously is a very common issue. They are very well aware of it, yet they are not doing nothing about it, as (they say) it is not a safety problem. How is this not a safety problem when the driver doesn't get a slightest warning or even a message that the car won't start and will leave you stranded wherever you are? As a young female living in a city without friends and family to help out, especially at night in a public space, this is quite frightening. I almost had a panic attack, because I didn't know what to do and never had to call roadside assistance. The only reason I had gotten a mercedes benz was for its safety. Mb site states: "true to their heritage, they're engineered to protect you in ways you might never have imagined. And with the hope that you'll never have to." how did mb protect me? Mb has only engineered the car to rip off customers and not live up to its brand. This is very disappointing.
Esi and key went out and car only has a bit over 100,000 miles; locks steering and shifter.
I bought my mercedes benz and notice that my tail light and the light on the front of the car will turn on by itself while my car was parked in the morning my car battery will be dead needing a charge. I had a recall from mercedes benz dealer and I took the car to the dealership and supposedly they fix it and the car had gotten worse. It had burned the harnesses and fog harness, while I was driving the car was acting like shutting off the radio and AC will start shutting off and turning on at the same time while I was on the highway on my way home from work. Right now my car only have working the high beam. I been getting a lot of recalls for this car but really it seems like I'm loosing my time .
My car will no longer start. Although the lights and radio still work, the windows and AC don't, and the car won't start, nor can I change the gear. It seems to be a problem with the steering column/ eis. I now have to take it into the benz dealership and pay a hefty amount to get it fixed, since no other mechanic can seem to do it. This seems to be a common problem with the 2009 c300 yet there's not a recall on it. Go figure.
I have a 2009 mercedes benz c300 4matic, my vehicle was just serviced one month ago for 2 recalls. Airbag/tail lights. After my vehicle is serviced I ask the mb tech regarding the eis switch - which starts the vehicle. I was concerned this may happen to my vehicle and for him to inspect the element. Technician said I am all set, and now my vehicle is stranded just picked up by a flatbed to my local mechanic. I called mb the issue I was having and I told them the situation. The tech from shrewsbury mb will get back to me on monday. Today is saturday 09/24/16.
Taraka recall. Smart key not being recognized , vehicle dead need tow truck to dealer very expensive ,had battery but all dead cost $1600.00 plus on a 72000 mile vehicle.also front sway stabilizer bar need total replacing (dealer part only) since its making noise. Bushings cannot be changed like others the whole bar needs to be purchase at dealer with bushing vulcanized to it. On the smart key the vehicle was stationary thank god
The electronic steering lock suddenly failed making it impossible to start the car. This is a very common problem with mercedes of this era, this happens without warning, and mercedes is aware of the problem, but charges approx. $1,200 to replace the lock. This leaves motorists stranded.
With the vehicle parked, the car won't start, battery and lights work fine, when turning key the engine does not turn over. The steering wheel is locked and it won't shift into neutral. Sounds like the same eis problem that so many others have.
With the vehicle parked, the car won't start, battery and lights work fine, when turning key the engine does not turn over. When inserting the key it doesn't make the locking sound it usually makes. The steering wheel is locked and it won't shift into neutral. Sounds like the same eis problem that so many others have ran into.
In stationary position in a parking lot steer wheel locks up when parked with wheels forward / turning key to start engine does not work
My mercedes was hit in the front in december and after partial repairs were done, we picked up the car and on 2nd day of having it, it would not start. Thought it was battery but of course it wasn't . Hooked up to our scanner and all kinds of codes were displayed so we had to have it towed back to where repairs were done and they determined it was esl module and their opinion it was caused by accident. $2700.00 later out of my own pocket we have car back and fixed. So who is responsible for this, not us. I believe that mercedes should take care of their customers and the other insurance should pay for this also. I see that a lot of people are having the same issue with this but mine I believe was caused by accident.
Stationary while at the rest area during a hot summer day on the side of the highway. The steering column or electronic steering lock (esl) failed and the car would not start.car won't start and steering won't unlock... I stopped and cut the engine of and tried restarting the car it won't do anything. This particular part is faulty on most 2008-2009 mercedes c300. Several hundred thousands are having issues with this particular part and at moments they get it working and at other times not so much. This part needs to be recalled since it is a dealer only replacement part and no one can touch is besides the dealer due to theft and security measures. Mercedes has this particular issue cornered and is not doing anything to work with the customer.
Car won't start and steering won't unlock...whenever I stop and cut the engine of and try starting g the car it won't do anything. Then after a good hour it will start...then I drive home and stop it won't start. Everyday twice a day... When j go to work or when I come home.
Stationary while at the rest area during a hot summer day on the side of the highway. The steering column or electronic steering lock (esl) failed and the car would not start. This particular part is faulty on most 2008-2009 mercedes c300. Several hundred thousands are having issues with this particular part and at moments they get it working and at other times not so much. This part needs to be recalled since it is a dealer only replacement part and no one can touch is besides the dealer due to theft and security measures. Mercedes has this particular issue cornered and is not doing anything to work with the customer. If I would have been stuck on the side of the highway with children that's a safety risk and I believe mercedes should recall this particular issue and be loyal to its customers.
Went to start my car yesterday morning and would not start. Very odd message on the display I had not seen before like "remove key from ignition". Steering wheel locked but some lights worked and new battery replace last week. Towed it to "granny's garage" who told me only the dealer can repair this. Now being towed to dealer in santa barbara. Sounds exactly what other 2009 c300 owners have stated esp/eis failure. I will know tomorrow. This is such a well documented and consistent problem with the 2009 c300 and mercedes really should take care of their customers and recall. Perfect for a class action lawsuit, in my opinion., especially since the "dealer" is the only one allowed to repair.
"takata recall" I was driving to work around 10:30 am in my 2009 mercedes benz c300 enjoying the commute. As I approached the stop light.....blank!!!! I lastly remember breaking ....to open my watering eyes to see that I hit another vehicle and don't recall anything at all. As I get up in realized that my head hurts and there was a small tear in the steering wheel as a small portion of the bag deployed but not fully.. It appeared to be a faulty bag that has caused this serious inconvenience.
My m.b. 2009 has only 52690 miles, rarely driving. On may 28th, 2016, my wife drove the car to see her cousin, when got out at 10:00pm, car was not starting, battery was ok, light on, radio on, windows not on. Needed to wait until monday morning, towed to dealer: eis steering lock failed, cost $1121.88 for the eis. Service consultant advised many m.b has the same failure. Go to the federal safety agency, saw a lot of complaint with the same problem. Please investigate the incident and issue a recall with m.b., it's very unsafe for driving because it can happened any time, mostly night time with a female driver. Only m.b. Can repair the eis and it's very expensive.
When I've got to the car, put the key in the ignition, and turn the key with no crank noise in the engine. After a lot of tries I had noticed that my steering was not unlocking, windows don't work no lights on like ABS, check engine or all the lights that come on with the key on the on position, and that the car would not shift in neutral. After trying to jump the car and rearming/disarming the alarm I checked on line and found out that a lot of people have the same problem with their mercedes. Here is what I experienced 1.put key into ignition, steering wheel doesn't unlock. 2.instument cluster displays "remove key from ignition". 3.turn key to accessory, no lights on dashboard, only the radio works, windows don't work. 4.turn key all the way to start car, nothing happens.
The car was running fine. It was parked and shut off. When I returned, the car would not start. It was not the battery. The steering would not unlock. The car had to be towed in for repair. The dealer had to make the repair as it was an issue with either the eis or a starter issue. Inskip mercedes can identify exactly what was wrong as they did the repair.
The car would not start, the electrical component of the steering wheal malfunctioned, only mbz has the part cost $1900 to replace the electrical part. Dealer told me common issue its just matter of time for the part to fail.
Ignition switch - tried to start the car and it would not turn battery was fine and all interior lights and electrical systems appeared to be fine. Had to have the car towed to the dealership where it was found to be a faulty ignition switch. This should be recalled for safety reasons.
When leaving to catch a flight I entered my garage and unlocked my car lights came on my day was going normal. When I went to start my vehicle it would not start. It said to remove my key from the ignition. My car wouldn't start. My husband and I contacted mercedes benz of henderson and they had my vehicle towed to their shop. I had purchased an extended warranty with my vehicle so I was sure I would be ok. On monday I received and call from mercedes benz of henderson stating that the ignition lock module needed to be replaced and it wouldn't be covered by the warranty I purchased. Since I am not a mechanic I asked what the ignition lock module was and found out it was the computer that reads my key and prevents theft. Basically the computer failed and thinks that my car is stolen. The cost to repair this is over $1,000. This is completely unfair. Mercedes cars are not cheap not to mention paying more a month to have additional warranty coverage. I am appalled that mercedes has not done a recall on their vehicles for this issue. This is a huge safety risk for those who are traveling especially for those like myself a women traveling alone. Thank god this happened at home and not in the middle of the desert as I travel back to california often I think it is outrageous to ask customers to pay for a default/glitch in a vehicles computer. I have contacted mercedes benz USA to get help with this issue as there are hundreds of their customers like myself who have had and are having this same issue with the 2009 c300.
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