Car will not start. Windows, sunroof, steering inoperable. No power to car with exception of radio and lock/unlock. Need to override to get car out of park. Occurred first time on 7/7 and I was stranded in a parking lot. Second time occurred on 7/12, car was parked on side of road and would not start. Needed to be towed on flatbed to dealer. Dealer confirmed electronic steering lock defective and $1,000 for replacement and part. Very common in Mercedes C300 models. Please research to see if there should be a recall. I performed a google search on the issue and there are multiple owners and forums complaining of the same issue from a number of countries including usa. Thank you.

- Taunton, MA, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes Benz C300. The contact stated while attempting to start the engine, the electronic steering lock engaged and caused the engine to fail. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnose that the electronic steering lock was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 113,000.

- Harbor City , CA, USA

I was driving to work and I felt the steering wheel was having weird problem when I was trying to turn, after I turned the steering wheel while I was driving and it didn't turn back to its own position, so I had to turn it by myself. At first, I thought it was the power steering pump or the rack had problem, but then I bought to the shop and the mechanic told me the pump and the rack worked fine and they did run computerize on my car and couldn't see any problem, but when he drove he did felt something is weir from the steering wheel stiffness and still now we all don't know what the problem. The mechanic told me my car is still very new, it has been 6 years, it has only 39,654 and it shouldn't have any problem yet at this time.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

Good morning, I am emailing you regarding an incident that occurred on May 13, 2014 on the lie 495. My vehicle, a 208 Mercedes C300 stalled in the emergency lane and the wheel locked soon afterward. I was unable to move my car, causing a very dangerous situation for me. I want to make sure that this situation goes noticed. This issue consists in these vehicles and I urge for it to get recalled. The issue is the "steering lock column". this causes the wheel to lock and become immovable. I am aware that an incident such as mine happened to a friend who has the same vehicle. It is not safe and needs to be fixed before it risks somebody else's life. Thank you for your time.

- Plainview, NY, USA

Shame on you Mercedes Benz! it appears to be a known issue that the steering lock goes out leaving your loyal customers stranded with no ability to start the car. Ok! now, I am told the cost to repair is $1450 for the part and the labor. Looks like my next car will be a BMW! (steering lock went out at 80K- leaving the car unable to start).

- Laguna Hills, CA, USA

Steering locked! no response from the main panel, I can just lock or unlock the doors.

- Oroville, WA, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The dealer stated that the steering lock failed. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.

- Williamsville, NY, USA

I drove my car home from work. Everything was working fine and ten minutes later when I went to go back to work, the car would not start. I could get all the electrical working, but the car would just not start up. I was told it was the steering lock, and it needs replaced.I got towed to the dealership and was told that my steering lock needs to be replaced. I don't feel safe driving this car anymore. Imaging driving in a bad part of town suddenly your "steering lock" malfunctions or my wife is driving and is stuck in a bad part of new orleans.

- Covington, LA, USA

More problems with model 204. There is a no expire recall campaign number 200802003 for the issue I have however my VIN is not part of it even though I have the same problem. Placed my key and car won't start, no crank. Got towed to the dealership and was told that my steering lock needs to be replaced. I don't feel safe driving this car anymore. Imaging driving hundreds of miles away from home and suddenly your "steering lock" malfunctions! scary.

- Chicago, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes C300. The contact stated that while attempting to start the engine, the the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the dealer informed her that there was a steering wheel lock failure. The vehicle was repaired under warranty but the failure recurred later after the warranty had expired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 7500.

- Wa Mirada, CA, USA