I parked my 2009 c300 with only 42k miles on it in the garage at night. Next morning I tried to start, the vehicle would not start. The steering wheel locked and was not able to start or move the gears had to call mercedes road service to tow the vehicle to a mercedes dealer at delray beach, fl. This happened out of the blue without any indication that something was going wrong. Diagnose was made and determine to be ?steering lock assembly completely need to be replaced with additional time to manually drill out the old lock.? This was due to a defected steering ignition switch security assembly. The dealership charged me $1600.00 for the defected part. I talk to the delray beach mercedes-benz service dealership director and supervisor ans as well as mbusa regional case manager. It was just waste of time and none of them wanted to take responsibility. Mercedes-benz absolutely did not want to do anything about it other than charging people for repair of a defected complete steering security assembly. This should be considered recall as to do with steering lock.
2009 Mercedes Benz C300 steering complaints
Page 5 of 6: complaints 101 to 130 of 136, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The vehicle would not start. The steering wheel locked and was not able to start or move the gears had to call mercedes road service .to tow the vehicle to a mercedes dealer.
Parked my car overnight and went to start it in the morning and would not start. The key would turn but got no lights on the dash and radio would not work. The steering wheel did not unlock. Tried to jump it but same results. Battery tested fine, checked all the fuses and they were all good. After researching on the internet the steering lock failed. This seems to be a more than frequent issue with this car. This happened out of the blue without any indication that something was going wrong. I'm glad I was home and not hundreds of miles away. Why is there not a recall?
Steering wheel got locked when the car was in motion. Luckily, I was driving off the highway approx. 10 MPH. Tariffing experience!!!
Drove my c300 to work in the morning. Went to leave a few hours later and the car will not start. Radio, alarm, dash and lock/unlock all work but you can not hear the steering lock disengage when you put the key in. From what I have seen this is a very common problem and mercedes has done absolutely nothing to fix it. I have only owned this vehicle for 6 months. Is this what we have to look forward to after buying a mercedes benz?
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 mercedes benz c300. While attempting to start the engine, the vehicle failed to turn on and the steering lock engaged. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who replaced the steering lock and the control unit. There was no further information available. After retrieving the vehicle and driving, the brake ebr, ABS, esp and power steering failure messages appeared. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 63,033.
I turned the key and nothing happened. The car would not start. Lights worked. I called roadside assistance to have it jump started, did not work. I then had it towed and was told by the service department at a certified mercedes dealer that it is a known defect called electronic steering lock eis/esl also referred to as technical services bulletin li80-57-p051521. Total cost: $1250 this is my car's 3rd known defect: 1) rear tail lights would catch fire and fail (finally recalled by mb and repaired) 2) command knob for satellite radio and GPS failed and now 3) eis/esl defect.
Went to start my car. Tried jumping it off thinking it was the battery checked all the fuses. Spent $70 to have towed to my mechanic. Come to find out it is the eis switch and mercedes will not sell him the parts to fix only mercedes can fix. My guy said he could fix for $700, mercedes dealership said over $1000. Come to find out this is a common problem. As my car was at my mechanic shop another mercedes came in with the same problem ( unbelievable ). Mercedes takes pride in the vehicles yet with a common problem they will not fix for free ( should be a recall on this problem ) this will be my last mercedes I own. Audi will be my next car. Very disappointed in mercedes.
A known issue with mercedes benz c300 card model year 2008 and up. The steering ignition switch fails. This is a dealer fix only and costs approximately $1500-$2000 dollars. When you go to start your car nothing comes on, no lights no nothing. The car is basically disabled and you have to have it towed to the dealership.
Went to store and when I returned to the car, the trunk released normally and doors unlocked normally with the key fob. Inserted the key into ignition switch. Able to turn key, but car would not start. Tried locking and unlocking door which worked again. Waited another minute and car still would not start. Tried moving steering wheel, but it was locked and could not take car out of park, but made sure it was all the way into park. Tried to start car again, this time I heard what sounded like a relay clicking from under the dash, but still no start. After another minute, I tried again and this time it started. I cautiously drove home and parked afraid to drive the car any longer as the ignition switch also controls the steering lock and there exist the possibility of the steering becoming locked while the car is in motion, as several others have posted as happening to them. A major safety issue exist since the steering could lock while the car is in motion and mercedes benz should be required to recall this vehicle to repair this before someone is seriously hurt or killed.
Inserted key into ignition switch. Able to turn key. But no ignition lights come on in any position of the key. Does not start. Problem appears to be intermittent, as after several tries it may function correctly with incremental ignition on settings and then starting. As this ignition switch also controls the steering lock, there exists the possibility of the steering becoming looked while the vehicle is in motion. Hence, a major safety issue exists! Should steering become locked while vehicle is in motion (at any speed) the consequences are extremely dangerous!.
Common issue on this model and year. Electrical ignition system / electrical steering lock unit and it's not somehow a recall.
Yet another person with a electronic steering lock issue. I tried to leave work for lunch but was met with that issue. I had to have aaa tow me to the mercedes dealership where they want 1200 to fix the problem....how are so many of us experiencing this issue but mercedes isn't doing anything to fix it!
Car would not start. Had to be towed to dealer. Repair cost 1150 dollars. One week without car.
I went to start up my car in the morning and the key would turn but would not start the engine. I kept on getting a reading to remove my key. It turns out that the steering column mechanism has frozen up. I had the car towed to the dealership and they want to charge $1,500 to get the issue repaired. From what I have researched this is a very common problem with the model and year of mercedes. I originally thought my key needed to be reprogrammed.
I had an issue with my car 5 months ago due to the car would not turn on. Mercedes told me it was the key and I needed to purchase a second key. In the mean time, I was waiting for the new key my old key was able to get my car start. As time went by, the same issue happen several times causing me to lose work and leaving me in the middle of no ware. Friday november 7 2014 was the last incident and I did not get home until 5 am waiting to a service truck to pick up my car. This time the ignition switch it's not working with none of the keys. I had to call a my insurance to pick up the car for the second time and take it to a certified dealer to replace the ignition key and staring wheel due to its lock.
I have own a mercedes benz c300 for almost five years and had some problems but not major until recently. I when to lunch with my wife and daughter after coming back into the car we ended up being stranded for several hours waiting for an emergency roadside service to find out what the problem was. We initially thought that we run out of gas since my tank was low, so I order gas from aaa road assistance and also jump star the car thinking of a battery problem but neither solve the problem. We had no choice but to tow the car to downtown los angeles, ca mercedes dealership. The next day the service consultant call me and send me an email that the problem was the electronic steering lock and this is the cost to repair it $1385.84 . I was shocked because I take care of my car very well, I never expected to have such a costly repair. I research the problem and found out that many people have the same problem. This is something that mercedes benz should look into and treat it as a recall and not as a wear and tear problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 mercedes benz c300. The contact stated that the key failed to turn from the off to on position. The contact had to make several attempts to start the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer. The technician stated that the chip in the steering column needed to be replaced and the keys needed to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000. Updated 10/22/2014*lj the consumer stated the manufacturer was contaced and offered assistance with the cost of repair only if the repair had not been paid previously for. Updated 4/1/15
This morning, car would not start, message on dashboard to go to the dealer, took the key in & out and, after multiple tries, the car started but transmission would not work (stayed on park), took the key in & out and finally was able to drive to the dealer, steering lock problem, the part only is 1 400 $ !!! Problem known by mercedes but they never did anything about it ! Dealer not helpful at all.
I was turning on my mercedes benz c300 2009, when it suddenly stated take your ignition, therefore I made a phone call to mercedes benz roadside assistance. Once the technician arrived he clearly stated it was the steering however he states they do not have any warning signs. I am very confused because 09 c300 did not have any prior warnings, it always tells me everything on the screen. This repair is around 1000 and the vehicle has been in a recall but the dealership I purchased it from is from chevrolet and they do not accept froing vehicles. I truly believe consumers should not have to pay for something it does not warn you for, specially since you are purchasing a german car not american.
The steering lock on mercedes benz 2009 c300 malfunctions, making car inoperable. Danger if occurs while driving. Known problem and known issue reported multiple times. Manufacture defect known to manufacturer and not addressed according to the federal safety agency - dot standards. Standards not known to be enforced at this time. Costs to replace/repair is approximately $1,180. Be advised: it is extremely important that owners of a mercedes benz 2009 c300 have this work completed prior to the steering lock malfunctioning. If not done so, it is a safety hazard to the driver and others on the road.
2009 mercedes benz c300 needs replacement of the electric steering lock (code 6180.57-p-051521), no warning lights appeared car would not turn on.
I went out to my car this morning to drive to work and my car would not start. The lights came on I could lock and unlock my car however when I put the key in, it turn all the way but it would not crank. I call mercedes benz 24 hour roadside assistance and they confirmed that my battery was not the problem. The technician even told me he noticed that this happened to other owners and they did not know why it was happening without warning. This is so unacceptable.
My 2009 c300 was just towed to the benz dealer for the "technical svs bulletin" known as li80-57-p051521. (the known and documented internal issue with the electronic steering lock causing crank failure that has been identified by the federal safety agency.) I would like to know why benz is not assisting with this matter. Last year I just replaced the back lights on the vehicle that was smoking and burning; causing my brake lights to go out and causing damage to items in my trunk. Now finally, that part is now being recalled! Why is benz awaiting for something bad to happen before they take responsibility for their parts. With all of the documented complaints of the c300 car not cranking due to the failure of the electronic steering lock, why is benz being allowed to go forward without a recall of this faulty part their installing in these cars? It seems very evident that though benz has documentation of "consistent failure" of the eis/esl on the c300s, they're refusing to recall the cars for these issues in an attempt to generate constant business for the benz dealerships. (for instance, when I walked into the dealership, my servicer was able to quote me a price on the repair of my car within seconds as he stated that he just completed the same repair on a car same make, model and year as mine the day before....uumm...what a coincidence!) this racket that benz is running has cost me $1,000.00. This has to be against the law. I'll have to look up the texas deceptive trade act and/or report this to the texas attorney general.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 mercedes-benz c300. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering without warning. The steering wheel became hard to maneuver. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The contact was unaware of the exact parts needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 38,000.
Without any warning, my car will not start. Thought it was the battery, but no luck. The key open the door, the lights inside of the care come on, and the screen still pops up on the dashboard. The steering wheel is locked and you can not change the gear. I had to get my car towed to the dealership. Car has almost 70 k miles on it. Very dissapointed to read the other complaints and the projected cost to fix. About a year and a half ago I also paid out of pocket for the rear light panel due to it not working. I recently learned that the rear lighting issue is an official recall. Now the hurdle begin for me to get refunded for nearly $500. :(
My car left me stranded at work. When I was leaving work my car would not start the steering was completely locked . The car would not even start the only thing that would turn on was the radio and a message of not to forget to remove your key. I could not even get the car out of gear. I would crank it and nothing, it was completely dead. I never received a message to warn me that something was faulty.. Before taking car into dealership I did my research online and spoke with a service tech at mercedes and said that it was possibly eis failure and steering lock. After so many complains like mine online I can't believe there is not a recall on this. I believe this is a safety hazard. What if this would of happened when I was driving and my steering locked? Who knows?...is mercedes waiting for serious accidents to happen? These failures are really a call for a recall..if there are anymore mercedes owners out there with the same problem file your complaints maybe if more of us complain they will do a recall. This is not cheap to fix it cost from $1200 to $1700. I bought a mercedes believing I was buying a dependable vehicle now I am having second thoughts after all I have read...
I drove my car to work and parked in the parking lot. I exited the car and locked the doors when I remembered that on this day, the tree cutting crew will be servicing the parking lot. I returned to the car to move it but when I turned the key my ignition would not engage and the car wouldn't start. I thought it was the battery even though all lights illuminated and the remote door locks and radio were working fine. I jump started the vehicle with another car nonetheless to make sure it wasn't a dead battery. The car wouldn't start. I've owned the car for many years but nothing like this has ever happened. To come out to a car with a working battery and not starting. I had to get my car towed to the dealership who checked all fuses and wiring only to determine that it was the eis or esl unit. This is the electronic steering lock mechanism that malfunctioned. I ended up spending over $1000 to get this fixed.
Defective electronic steering lock (esl): hi, my steering lock just went on me as well and was left stranded with no car this past weekend! My 2009 c300 4matic sport has approx. 56,000 miles on it and I am out of warranty. I called mb USA and begged for warranty assistance but was basically told no because as a second owner I did not have the vehicle serviced enough times at the local mb dealership! I guess I haven't spent enough money to date on unwarranted repairs at the local dealership?? After extensive online research I too found that this is a very common problem with the 2008 and 2009 mb c300, and most likely later models as well!. I also found out that the electronic steering lock (esl) failure typically happens right after expiration of the basic warranty. Just like the thousands of mb c300 owners stuck in this situation, I need my vehicle and have no choice but to shell out the money for this repair! (over $1,000). I am scared to death to drive this car anywhere far in fear that another technical/mechanical breakdown will occur. In addition to esl failure, another concern of mine is finding out that electronic ignition system (eis) failure is another common problem with the 08-09 mb c300's. Shame on mercedes for not issuing a recall on the esl & eis issues and sticking it to the consumers. I too plan on contacting my attorney regarding this issue.
My vehicle experienced a failure of its starting and steering lock functions. The underline problem and areas of concern is the frequency of this failure and the dangers associated with having the vehicle immobilized when the associated parts fail. Mercedes benz has not taken any responsibility for this issue yet it can't be fixed without dealership intervention. The costs associated with this particular issue besides having your car towed is in the excess of $1,000.00. In my case I have been quoted &1700.00! Although my particular instance happened when the car was parked, there is no exception that it can occur when the vehicle is motion causing the vehicle to shut off and the steering wheel to lock in any position. Updated 11/24/2014
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