Esl/eis failure. When the key is inserted the car will not start. Lights work but windows and dash message are not working.

- Richmond, TX, USA

Last week I drove my daughter to school. Then I went to the gas station and turned the car off. When I tried to start the car to leave, it would not start. It did not do anything. I could not even roll the windows up. The car did nothing other than say "remove ignition key." The battery was tested and fine. It had just been replaced 1 month ago. The tow truck driver brought it to my mechanic who then said it had to be brought to the dealer. The Mercedes dealer said it was the eis/steering switch. The cost will be $1900. I've called other mechanics. No-one can fix it because Mercedes has the parts and coding exclusively. This is a lot of money and with the amount of complaints it should be a recall. Last year my car also experienced the SRS light malfunction. I brought it to the dealer and this was also another huge expense. The dealer did not take the responsibility of a recall. They acted like it was a big surprise.

- Santa Rosa Beach, FL, USA

Start failure and locked steering wheel

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the vehicle started and shut off while in park. The failure did not occur while driving. The contact also smelled a fuel odor. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 80,000.

- Garland, TX, USA

Eis failure. Vehicle has 136,000 miles. Inserted key into ignition and tried to start the vehicle. Nothing happened, no start. Transmission stuck in park. Tried jump starting, replaced battery even though it tested O.K. but was old enough to make me question it's viability, checked fuses, etc. Online research shows that eis failure is a fairly common issue with mb products, particularly the C class. This is not an owner reparable item. Will have to have the vehicle towed to a dealership and repaired there at the usual inflated cost of doing so.

- Schertz, TX, USA

Ordinary day at my job, got off and went to my car and put the key in lights in the instrument cluster came on and message was " remove the key" turn the key to accessory nothing happens, turn it all the way to start the ignition nothing happens, the vehicle is stuck in park and there is no way to move the shifter. After a research online and few phone calls I found out that this is a very common problem among Mercedes vehicles. I took it to the dealer they did diagnose it for steering wheel lock and quoted me $1,300 for repairs. I do believe this should be a recall or at lease Mercedes-Benz of usa take it's part and reimburse the parts since it's a very common problem. I'm not happy at all of the way they deal with this problem.

- Plano, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the turn signals failed to operate. It was discovered that the cable wire connected to the turn signal light bulbs were damaged. The contact also stated that the parking indicator also failed and the cable connected to the parking indicator was damaged. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer where it was diagnosed that a new headlight assembly was needed. The contact was also informed that the vehicle was out of warranty and would have to pay out of pocket for the repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 105,000.

- Miami, FL, USA

2008 Mercedes C300 with bad esl. Cost to fix is $1200. Seems like this is a known issues with Mercedes as an internet search leads to many other who have had the same issue. I parked the car at work, then went out several hours later to go to lunch and it would not start. There was no sound of the starter or any other noises when trying to start the car. I thought it was the battery, but all the lights and everything else electrical worked on the car. Just to be safe, tried to jump the car, but it still did not start. Car was stuck and could not shift it into neutral. Had to call a tow truck to get it towed my local mbz dealer. Turns out it has a bad esl.

- San Jose, CA, USA

An hour after parking the vehicle, I was unable to start it back up. Had it towed to the dealer and diagnosed with eis/esl failure, at a cost of $1700 to replace. Mercedes disavowed all knowledge of this being a common issue, despite hundreds of online complaints to the contrary. All signs point to this being due to a cheap/faulty part at manufacture, which can fail at any time, leaving drivers stranded in potentially unsafe areas or on the side of the road. Car has 75000 miles and exemplary service record.

- Frederick, MD, USA

When replacing a headlight bulb I noticed the H7 wire was completely exposed with no insulation, as I tried to wrapped them in electrical tape to get a temporary fix, the little insulation still left on the cable crumbled. I encourage to check the cable insulation on your vehicle as this can cause a shortage and fail headlights.

- Hialeah, FL, USA

Car was parked and went to drive car. It will not start. Both keys will not work. Problem is with electronic ignition switch failure. No instrumentation display. Can not shift car out of park. Tried jumping car and it will not start. Replaced battery and it will not start.

- Mount Pleasant, WI, USA

C300 not starting due to bad electronic steering lock mechanism, seems to be common.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

Car will not start while parked. Battery checked and tested good by aaa. Steering wheel locked. Car will not shift out of park. Towed to christian brothers automotive and problem was diagnosed as eis failure. Was told that this is a very common problem for this car. However, it is a 'dealer only' repair due to Mercedes refusal to either sell parts or release codes to independent dealers. Was also told there is a lawsuit attempting to force Mercedes to cease with the proprietary baloney. The repairs are very expensive and there is no alternative to the dealership. This needs to be a recall or, at the very least, all the necessary parts and codes need to be made available to independent repair facilities.

- Irving, TX, USA

Car wont start, local mechanic refer to common problem (ignition moduel),I was coming out of the cvs phatmacy and the car just wont start, called mb the Y asked me to jump start but nothing, different key nothing so I towed to the dealer.

- Danville, IL, USA

From a parked vehicle, I unlocked car and inserted key and turned to start position 2. no steering unlock, shift lever stuck in park and no engine start. Message "take your key from ignition" appeared as well when I opened door. Voltage from battery was 12.7 vdc. Had car towed to Mercedes Benz dealer and was diagnosed with eis failure (electronic ignition system). Cost for repair: $1,350.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving at 35 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering lock and ignition module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 99,000.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

I took my C300 Mercedes Benz (with only 52,000 miles), to the Mercedes Benz of miami dealership to check the wiring in both head lamps, since the headlights were intermittently flickering on and off, while driving at night. This electrical problem was of serious concern for me as a 72 years' old senior, could be a dangerous safety issue, creating a life and death situation. Mercedes Benz dealership assistant service manager, juan obando, told me that the wiring to the headlamps was corroded and could not be replaced. I would have to buy two (2) complete new headlamp assembly units costing $1,890.- plus tax and labor installation. While driving at nights and unpredictably and intermittently losing head and low beam lights, is of grave safety concern to me and creates a hazard to pedestrians and other drivers on the roadway and highways. Updated 03/29/2017

- Hallandale Beach, FL, USA

Key is not recognized when inserted in the ignition. Therefore, car will not start. Dealership states that the electronic ignition switch (eis)is faulty. This problem is well documented through out the usa. The repair costs is estimated at $800-2,000 dollars. On July 19th, 2016, I ran several errands. Once at home, I tried to start my car. The ignition did not turn but battery life was strong. Dashboard read " remove key car will not start..."

- College Park, MD, USA

On July 21,2016 at 9am and I parked my car and went to work, 2 hours later came back and try to start the car, did not start. Car door locks and trunk locks open and close but when I turn the ignition on, no response, no display on instrument panel around speedometer gauges. No hissing or cranking or beeping noise also. Steering column was also locked up and inoperable.about 2 years ago command screen with lcd display that controls all functions smoked a little and was shut down display. Going to the last weeks problem steering column has locked me out and also eis that is the communicator from ignition switch and alternator or started do not function also. I happened to see more than hundreds of car with the same year group and model has smiliar problems.my car mileage was 93121. I would like make this as a manufacturing problem of unreliability of the parts and the manufacturer let it roll off assembly line with out doing diligent testing of the parts involved from the suppliers for reliablity and durability and in turn cost the consumers $2000-3000 of unnecessary expense/troubleshoot and fix/ than you very much for your help.

- Monroe, NJ, USA

Electronic ignition switch (eis) has failed twice! in 6 weeks and now the electronic steering lock must also be replaced. There is a concern that the esl may malfunction and lock steering while driving. This issue appears to be wide spread in 2008 and 2009 Mercedes C300 vehicles. No support from Mercedes after calls to NJ headquarters.

- Wantagh, NY, USA