2009 Mercedes Benz C300: won't start

Filed Sep 18, 2024 · Electrical, Steering · TX

I drove my car to get lunch. Came back out to go back to work and the car would not start. Would not even turn over. My Radio did not turn on and I couldn't even roll my windows back up. Luckily they were only cracked open a small amount. My steering wheel cannot be turned, it's locked in it's current position. I am told the ESL (Electronic Steering Lock) and possibly the EIS is the cause of this problem. The display on the dash says "Take your key from ignition" and that is all I get. Had to have my car towed and now I have a dead car with the windows partially open that I cannot close.

Filed Dec 2, 2023 · Electrical · KS

Last week just before Thanksgiving my car of 134,000 miles wouldn't start. Had it towed to my mechanic only to find out like so many others that the Electronic Steering Module(ESL) is 1,500.00 defective. Yet with this being a common issue there is no recall. guess I'm going to a Toyota.

Filed Jun 20, 2021 · Steering · NE

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? One day my car did not crank or start. Had it towed to dealer and they seemed to be familiar with everything they needed to order to fix it without blinking. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? As much as not being able to drive your car Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, See attached invoice Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No

Filed Mar 14, 2021 · Steering · 103,000 miles · FL

The car was stationary. Ignition switch locks the car does not start and the lights on the dashboard does not come on, it has been doing this for several years until it has gotten worse, it wont start at all had to get it towed to mercedes

Filed Oct 30, 2020 · Electrical, Steering · 55,000 miles · CA

Car was parked by side walk next to my house. Inserted the key in the ignition and turned it. The car did not start, and the steering wheel was locked. No lights flashed on the dashboard. Car had to be towed on truck bed since it's rear-wheel drive. Dealer told me it's the ignition switch lock cylinder. Cost $1500 to fix. This is a manufacturer's defect. Not fair.

Filed Sep 16, 2019 · Electrical · 126,000 miles · AZ

My c300 stranded me in deming, nm. We had left el paso heading home to phoenix. Quick bio break in dement, and that's where my c300 wouldn't start. The shop in deming said that the car would need to be towed back to the dealer in el paso. Turned out my steering column control lock module needed to be replaced. The dealership ordered the part and two day and $1,400 later I was able to drive back to phoenix. Between towing, lodging in deming and el paso, meals, etc I was out over 2k. This is so I can start my car. According to my local mb dealer my service advisor said he sees one or two a month with this problem. I picked up the car in 2012 with 50k miles. This issue came 70k trouble free miles later. Amazed that one little part could strand me with no warning.

Filed Sep 16, 2019 · Steering · 120,169 miles · AZ

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 mercedes-benz c300. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the ignition or the steering column control lock failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to hoy family auto (1122 airway blvd, el paso, tx 79925, (915) 706-2200) where it was diagnosed that the steering column control mechanism failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,169. *pm consumer stated oil change was done 1,000 miles prior to failure.

Filed Jul 24, 2019 · Steering · 140,000 miles · CA

Steering wheel stuck in locked position. Car will not start. Lots of research on the issue has shown many people have this problem. This issues happens when the car is stationary. Many times at night when I am getting off work.

Filed Feb 27, 2018 · Airbags, Electrical · CA

2009 mercedes-benz c300. Consumer writes in regards to takata airbag safety recall. *ld the consumer stated the electronic switch that is located in front of the airbag frequently locked the steering wheel and the car won't start, while the vehicle is in motion.

Filed Jan 24, 2018 · Electrical · 92,000 miles · TX

Ignition switch failed at 92,000 miles. Car was working fine and would not start again once parked. Dash lights & radio turned on, but car would not start. Horn did not work and gears would not shift with key turned on start position. Had to get car towed and cost $1,400 to fix. Aside from this, I have replaced the alternator, car computer, valve cover, and air flow sensor. Catalytic converters also went out, al within a 4 month period.

Filed Dec 3, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 76,000 miles · GA

Ignition switch failed at 76k miles. Gear shift will not get out of park, steering wheel will not unlock and car will not start. Known to be a common issue that affects all mercedes with electronic ignition. Mercedes should be brought to court via class action for this.

Filed Oct 24, 2017 · Steering · 105,400 miles · TX

The vehicle fails to start. When the key fob is placed in the ignition states to remove the key fob. Dealership stated that the car is having problems with the steering column lock which seems to be a very common issue with this vehicle as many others in the mbusa forum are having this problem without any assistance from mb. As I was on my way to work on august 25,2017 I stopped at walgreen's to make a purchase. When I got back to the vehicle and attempted to start the car it would not start. I then tried jumping the vehicle from another vehicle with no luck. The car was then towed to the dealership who initially stated that the car was not recognizing the key fob. They then in turn stated that no the car's steering column lock is not working properly. I then researched the web and noticed that this appears to be a very common issue in which there has been many numerous complaints. My car is covered under warranty but they will not cover this item as they are only covering the powertrain.