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.
Mercedes Benz C300 won't start problems
198 of the 1,248 owner complaints about the Mercedes Benz C300 describe won't start, most of them for the 2008 model year.
- owner complaints
- 198
- worst model year
- 2008
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,300
- typical mileage
- 81,000
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.
By model year
Often reported together
Steering lock-up 80Won't shift 11Warning lights 5Headlights 3Engine failure 3Airbag light 3
What owners say
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.
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.
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
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 ##
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Mercedes Benz C300 won't start
Which Mercedes Benz C300 years have won't start problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2008 (111 complaints) and 2009 (87 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix won't start on the Mercedes Benz C300?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,300 (median of 84 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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