Electronic steering failure. Steering wheel locked. Gear shift locked in park. Can turn key, but the only the central dash works with message "take key from ignition". no start up lights on. Vehicle locks, unlocks, radio works, but won't start. Luckily it happened in the garage while vehicle was stationary and not in motion. $800 out of pocket for new eis and blue key + labor. Seems to be very frequent issue with 2008/2009 C300 models. Recall should be issued and owners reimbursed for expenses incurred given the number of reports and safety risks as some have reported it happened to them while vehicle was in motion. Don't need to wait until someone gets really hurt.

- Coraopolis, PA, USA

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?

- San Antonio, TX, USA

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?

- Hope Mills, NC, USA

Intermittently my low beam headlights will go on, gas gauge slowly goes to empty, rear break and blinkers no longer work, interior lighting, and sun roof do not work. I can not lock my car sometimes after for about 5 mins. If it happens right when I turn my car on, I can try to turn it off and restart and it may or may not happen again. Sometimes it happens right when I turn my car on or sometimes it never happens.

- Fort Lauderdale , FL, USA

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.

- Rockville, MD, USA

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.

- Rip Off, GA, USA

I came to a stop because my car was giving me error codes for certain parts of the right tail lights not working(turn& reverse) and then the functioning lights were dimmed. I took a look at the assembly where the lights were placed and noticed where the car's electrical wires were plugged in to the bulb assembly that it burned through the assembly. I took the car to the dealership and they fixed the right side but neglected to check the left because at the time it was not malfunctioning (at that time I was still under warranty). Now, on March 8, 2015 (my car is no longer under warranty) I contacted the dealership as well mbusa because the left side is now beginning to act erratically, and although there is no burning (yet) I would like to resolve the issue. I checked the bulbs which were giving me errors and none of the bulbs were burned out. I begun to do research and I found there to be a recall from the NHTSA campaign number: 14V-177, but my VIN number is not included in this recall yet I had reported the very same issue much earlier than 2014. As I contacted both the dealership and mbusa they both said that my car was no longer under warranty and that my VIN was not included in the recall refusing to accept that they made an error in their wiring and neglecting to fix both sides the first time I took the car in.

- Yonkers, NY, USA

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.

- Live Oak, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes Benz C300. The contact stated that after starting the engine, the steering wheel seized. The contact also stated that when inserting the key into the ignition switch, the vehicle failed to start and the key would remain stuck in the ignition. In addition, all the electrical components would remain on. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 73,000.

- Cleveland, TN, USA

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.

- Orange Park, FL, USA

There needs to an inquiry into the sensors in the steering on the C class Mercedes. I just had my sensor go out with only 30,152 miles on it go out. As I have told of this experience to other and the same story around 30,000 miles they had the same issues resulting in thousand dollars in repairs.

- Dallas, TX, USA

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!.

- San Diego, CA, USA

Common issue on this model and year. Electrical ignition system / electrical steering lock unit and it's not somehow a recall.

- Windermere , FL, USA

Car would not start. Had to be towed to dealer. Repair cost 1150 dollars. One week without car.

- Wallingford, CT, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes Benz C300. The contact stated that all the warning light on the instrument panel illuminated. The contact also received NHTSA campaign number: 14V177000 (exterior lighting) and stated that the part was not available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000.

- Killeen, TX, USA

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.

- Little Rock, AR, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes Benz C300. While attempting to have the vehicle serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 14V177000 (electrical system), it was discovered that the housing unit for the headlights and taillights was corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 42,131.

- Vineland, NJ, USA

As I recently received a notice for Mercedes Benz recall #14V-177. I went up to the nearest location in fort worth and they said I had to wait for a "second notice" for my taillights to be fixed. I am driving on a bad brake light for 2 months and as I follow up with this dealership, they said it would definitely arrive the first week of September. Its the 12th, no letter, no followup from these people and I'm concerned with how many other people they are doing this too. Please help in any way as I have no leads. Thank you

- Arlington , TX, USA

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 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

- San Antonio, TX, USA

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.

- Houston, TX, USA