Electronic steering lock failed to operate and unable to start vehicle. Common problem with W204 chassis and perhaps a safety issue if vehicle fails to operate as designed.stationary when failed, had to tow home to diagnose and repair. Theft sensitive device so parts can't be ordered from other than dealer.

- Nampa, ID, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300. Upon starting the vehicle, the steering wheel failed to turn. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the steering wheel lock needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,700.

- Saint Marys, KS, USA

Driver and passenger airbags have been recalled and can cause injury or death in a frontal collision. There has not been any communication as to when a fix will occur and have been told by service advisor that there should not be a problem with the airbags if in collision in California until a fix. Also many other complaints of being stranded due to ignition switch fail that locks steering wheel and is a $1,300 fix.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

Electronic steering lock(esl) unit fails to unlock steering wheel from a parked, off position, car will not try to start and steering wheel is locked. Car must be towed for repair. Had to replace the esl and have it recoded to work with the electronic ignition switch.

- Bothell, WA, USA

2009 Mercedes-Benz C300. Consumer writes in regards to takata airbag safety recall. The consumer stated the electronic switch that is located in front of the airbag frequently locked the steering wheel and the car won't start, while the vehicle is in motion.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed to unlock. The vehicle was towed to Mercedes-Benz of wesley chapel (2383 willow oak dr, wesley chapel, fl) where it was diagnosed that the steering lock assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,425. The VIN was not available.

- Tampa, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300. When starting the vehicle, the steering wheel locked in place on numerous occasions. There were no warning indicators illuminated prior to the failures. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 69,808.

- Pembrooke Pines, FL, USA

The vehicle fails to start. When the key fob is placed in the ignition states to remove the key fob. Dealership stated that the car is having problems with the steering column lock which seems to be a very common issue with this vehicle as many others in the mbusa forum are having this problem without any assistance from mb. As I was on my way to work on August 25,2017 I stopped at walgreen's to make a purchase. When I got back to the vehicle and attempted to start the car it would not start. I then tried jumping the vehicle from another vehicle with no luck. The car was then towed to the dealership who initially stated that the car was not recognizing the key fob. They then in turn stated that no the car's steering column lock is not working properly. I then researched the web and noticed that this appears to be a very common issue in which there has been many numerous complaints. My car is covered under warranty but they will not cover this item as they are only covering the powertrain.

- Fresno, TX, USA

Car was off and parked in the giant (limerick, pa) parking lot. I put the key in the ignition, turned it, and nothing happened. Dash read "remove key." I had the vehicle towed to dealer. Steering lock mechanism went bad. Fuse 22 blew every time we put the key in the ignition. Had to replace part.

- Schwenksville, PA, USA

Takata recall, brake power steering malfunction ABS, esp, ets, SRS.esb, ebr flashes on and off on message center. Then vehicle started to drive very rough and bumpy, then I had no control of the steering wheel and it totally locked thank god iwas able to try and roll it to the side of the road and the car just totally went black and died, no headlights and I have to have it towed, waiting to get the diagnosis from the dealer. But I have done some research on line and have seen hundreds of the same complaints from all over the usa and even oversees that it has to do with the eis. This saddens me to see all the same complaints and I thought that we were protected as consumers by the government, and the NHTSA against major auto manufacturer such as mbusa to call out these deadly defects before it consumed innocence peoples lives. But it is obvious that our lives means nothing to these people, because with all these identical complaints this is a defect that should be address and mbusa should have the decency to take responsibility and admit that this is a manufacturer defect and do a recall. This is just too much complaints on this problem and no one seem to be taking this matter serious, and we as the consumers are being stuck with these major repair bills running in the thousand. What is the purpose in making these reports when no one seems to care. How many complaints do you have to receive on the same issue for the NHTSA and the fair trade act to stand up for us, in October of 2016 this same vehicle self accelerate and crash in to two other vehicles causing a major accident and when reported to mbusa they claim they did there investigation and nothing was wrong with my vehicle, they place the blame on me.daimler ag would not believe what there prestigious company as become

- Dorchester, MA, USA

The electronic steering lock in my 2009 Mercedes Benz C300 is not unlocking when I put the key in the ignition. The car will not start. This has happened 3 times in the past 2 months. After the first two incidents, the wheel did eventually unlock. I took it to my repairman who advised I get a new key from mb as that might solve the problem. Got a new key last week for $330. Today - 10 days later - the steering wheel again will not unlock. Looking on the internet, this is a very common and well-documented problem with mb vehicles over many years. Mb should issue a recall on this and fix the problem, and at no charge to the customer! at present, they are gouging customers anywhere from $1200-2200 to fix a problem that every mechanic and collision person in my neighbothood knows to exist. The only people who don't seem to know about the problem are the people at the mb dealerships, who obviously want the repair business. I also understand that this wheel lock problem has occured while people are driving. My car was stationary every time this problem has happened, parked in a garage with no incline at all. I urge you to order Mercedes Benz to recall this part and to repair this problem asap.

- Lake Forest, CA, USA

Car was driving very well suddenly flashes on message center power steering malfunction SRS, ABS, ets, esb, ebr esp in operative and it keeps flashing when car is in motion, then disappear when ignition is off, I have notice several complaints on your website with this same issues with this same year, model and other Mercedes, a week a go I also receive a message to check brake pad wear before this message came up. I replace brake pads and rotos, and I am also being told it could also be my brake light switch or speed sensors, all was replace still as message. There is so many complaints with these messages that this should be considered a recall and the customers are being stuck with the repairs. It is obvious that it is a defect with these vehicles it is just too many. And no onw seems to be standing behind the consumers.mbusa is a major company and they are getting away with murder. Do you have to have major fatality before they do something about this problem. Does saving money means more than peoples lives it is just too many complaints on the same problems that common sense cant tell them it is a defect and the nhts should step up for us and demand a recall. How many complaints do you have to have in order for mbusa make this a recall.

- Dorchester, MA, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300. While attempting to start the vehicle, the ignition failed without warning. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer (Mercedes-Benz of long beach, 2300 East spring street, signal hill, ca 90755) where it was diagnosed that the steering lock and column failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

- Seal Beach, CA, USA

Dear Mercedes Benz usa, first and foremost I would like to say I am a proud driver of a 2009 Mercedes Benz C300, I am emailing you regarding some concerns with Mercedes Benz vehicles and recalls. I have a recall on airbags for my Mercedes I've been patiently waiting (im sure like many others) to receive a letter to get my airbags installed into my vehicle.. a vehicle that currently do not have any airbags in it I am concerned with my safety at this point and would like to know if you can offer me an updated on the duration. Also, there is a common issue occurring with all class Mercedes that I feel should also have a recall I have read numerous of online posts regarding this same exact issue and that issue is the faulty steering lock/els/eis fault that does not allow Mercedes Benz holders to sometimes not be able to lock and unlocked their vehicles using Mercedes smart key fob and also not being able to start up vehicles it's literally a no response lose/lose situation causing the vehicle owner to get their vehicles towed to dealerships that charges $1000-$3000 to repair which is a bit pricey for a common issue with Mercedes vehicles I think I speak for majority of Mercedes owners on this matter. I ask for a recall or price reduction on this common issue. Sincerely, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Lennox, CA, USA

Parked car, went into store, came back out, started car, ebr, ABS and esp inoperative message came on along with power steering malfunction

- Washington, DC, USA

This vehicle had a failure upon start that eliminated a number of safety features. When I started the car, I received three errors that the following were disabled: Electrical brake (ABS, emergency brake, traction control), cruise control, and power steering. Loss of these made the car unsafe to drive.

- Timnath, CO, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes Benz C300. The contact stated that while attempting to start the engine, the key failed to turn from the off to on position and the steering wheel seized. When the failure occurred, all the warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 133,000.

- Carriere, MS, USA

Common and known issue with M Benz C300 eis/els/steering column. Car engine just dies and will not start due to electrical component malfunction. An expensive, possibly dangerous problem that has not been recognized by Mercedes-Benz it appears from the other comments on this forum and others. My 2009 C300 was running fine. I maintain regular service. Stopped to grab lunch. Fortunately, I was not in motion or in a dangerous area or in the middle of night in the middle of nowhere. The car would not re-start, yet the lights, radio, panel all appeared to be working, although "remove key from ignition" message appeared. Thought it could be a battery or alternator issue. Had to have car towed to 2 different places, the last of which was the mbenz dealership over an hour away. This occurred at 80K miles on odometer. A major safety and possibly dangerous situation. I thought the mb brand was about reliability, quality, safety. So disappointed. Manufacturer's defective product.

- Southern Pines, NC, USA

I have had the exact same issues like other Mercedes Benz owners. My car suddenly not starting and the steering wheel did not unlock. I called aaa, they sent out a battery truck. The guy tried to jump it and it did nothing. Then they towed it to the mb dealer. They called me this morning after they tested it and said the electric steering lock needs to be replaced. The dealer charged me $1212. I am really frustrated.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

This car is purchased used in March of 2016 has not given me any problems starting until November 26. The car would not start or even "click" at all this day. Has to be towed to mechanic. The mechanic was unable to fix the issue and it had to be towed to the Mercedes dealership. They found that the electronic steering lock needs to be fixed and possibly the electronic ignition system. These are very expensive to fix. These are also known issues with this specific model. Many other Mercedes-Benz's owners have had to fix the same issue and Mercedes has yet to do a recall or anything to resolve the known problem. I now have a car that cannot be used. It is undriveable. It will not start.

- Lockport, NY, USA