All of a sudden, the car would not start and inserting the key and turning doesn't do anything. Turns out that like many other folks, the Electronic Steering Lock module is faulty and preventing the car from starting. Found out that only the dealer can fix it and mercedes provides the replacement part. The cost is unaffordable at $2200 from the dealer and the part is back ordered and won't be available for approximately 2 months. This is completely unacceptable and mercedes should prioritize and fix this issue as a safety issue with a recall since it completely makes the car non-driveable and nobody but the dealer can fix this, which allows the dealer to charge any amount they like.
Mercedes Benz C350 won't start problems
32 of the 238 owner complaints about the Mercedes Benz C350 describe won't start, most of them for the 2008 model year.
- owner complaints
- 32
- worst model year
- 2008
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,780
- typical mileage
- 80,000
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.
By model year
Often reported together
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mercedes benz c350. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, several electrical failures had occurred and on several occasions and the vehicle would not start. The contact replaced the fuel pump however, the failure continued. It was later discovered the cause of the failure was due to a faulty fuse. No further information was available. Additionally, the passenger's side headlight and windshield wipers had stopped working and the SRS warning light was illuminated. The cause of the failures were not determined. The local dealer plaza mercedes benz located at 11910 olive blvd, creve coeur, mo 63141 and the manufacturer were notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 150,000.
When I put the key in the ignition it will not turn over no lights display on the dashboard. The radio cuts on and the only thing that displays on the dashboard is the mileage no other lights. When the key is turned to first or second position. The day before when my car would not start I was able to take the key out of the ignition and replace it in the car started right up this time it does nothing. I'm being told it's an esl steering wheel lock issue that is common to this car model.
Eis and esl go bad, car will not start due to steering wheel locking.
Vehicle was stationary. Steering column locked up and vehicle would not start.
Esl failed in unlocked position, car wont start.
Steering lock issue. Engine does not crank and car does not start. Upon inserting key, an message pops up asking to remove the key. Steering wheel is locked and car stuck in park. Due to the configuration of my parking garage and the fact that the steering wheel was locked, it took me several days and 4 different tow trucks to successfully tow the car 1.5 miles to my local mb dealership. The diagnosis and repair of the faulty steering lock, which the service advisor says happens all the time with my model, took an entire week. I was told mb does not offer a loaner car in this situation. All in all, it took my 2 weeks to finally get my car working again. The repair was $1,200. Add in the 4 tow trucks, and 2 weeks of rental car and this was easily a $2,000 issue. Mb should issue a recall given that this issue is so prevalent and clearly a fault with the steering lock part.
Got home from work parked my car, I would say maybe about 3 hrs later I get on my car to go pick up my son and I wasn't able to turn my car on. My keyfob worked fine when I unlocked and locked the vehicle but when I would insert the keyfob in the ignition I was able to turn the key all the way to the on position. All though it turned in the ignition it wouldn't give the car a crank or any power at all, the radio, windows dashboard, headlights, nothing worked at all, it wouldn't even unlcock my steering coloumn either. Which made it even a bigger hastle to tow the car without being able to turn the steering wheel luckily ii left the wheels straight when I parked my vehicle. I've seen that this issue is common on this mercedes model. If its a common problem mercedes should be able to recall this ignition fault. Theres plenty of reasons why it can be a stressing situation if it happens to anybody, especially not being able to unlock thje steering column. There can be plenty of what if's (what if, u had ur wheels turned, what if your far from home, ur parked in a tight space how are you going to get the car towed, you have an emergency and your car suddenly wont start, at a gas station pumping gas and your car wont start, even after just having dinner at a restaurant) imagine having an issue like this and you are with ypur family its very stressful or everybody. I'm sure its happened to a lot of people but they dont file a complaint or maybe they dont know they can file one. I just hope mercedes can really do something about this issue since is very common on this model 2009 mercedes c350.
Car was parked in a parking lot. I was 120 miles from home when the engine would not start -- even though the battery, lights, stereo, gauges, etc. All worked fine. Still, the engine wouldn't even crank, had car towed to an independent mercedes repair facility (it was a sunday and the local mercedes service department was not open). The electronic ignition switch (eis) and other parts needed to be replaced at a cost of $1526.94. Months later I visited the federal safety agency website and learned that this is a common problem with this model of mercedes and that the manufacturer is refusing to pay for the repair. With a problem this widespread -- which can occur multiple times during the life of the car -- mercedes should foot the bill. I would have complained earlier but only now learned that many other owners are experiencing the same defect. My car had only 37,110 miles at the time. I should be reimbursed my mercedes.
Stationary vehicle no start, no crank without warning while parked on a city street. Failure within the electronic steering lock. Vehicle will not recognize the drivers key. Driver and passengers left dangerously stranded where ever the vehicle is parked when the failure occurs. This failure makes it unable to shift the vehicle into neutral position for towing.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Mercedes Benz C350 won't start
Which Mercedes Benz C350 years have won't start problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2008 (24 complaints), 2009 (7 complaints) and 2006 (1 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix won't start on the Mercedes Benz C350?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,780 (median of 14 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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