My 2009 C300 was just towed to the Benz dealer for the "technical svs bulletin" known as LI80-57-P051521. (the known and documented internal issue with the electronic steering lock causing crank failure that has been identified by the NHTSA.) I would like to know why Benz is not assisting with this matter. Last year I just replaced the back lights on the vehicle that was smoking and burning; causing my brake lights to go out and causing damage to items in my trunk. Now finally, that part is now being recalled! why is Benz awaiting for something bad to happen before they take responsibility for their parts. With all of the documented complaints of the C300 car not cranking due to the failure of the electronic steering lock, why is Benz being allowed to go forward without a recall of this faulty part their installing in these cars? it seems very evident that though Benz has documentation of "consistent failure" of the eis/esl on the C300S, they're refusing to recall the cars for these issues in an attempt to generate constant business for the Benz dealerships. (for instance, when I walked into the dealership, my servicer was able to quote me a price on the repair of my car within seconds as he stated that he just completed the same repair on a car same make, model and year as mine the day before....uumm...what a coincidence!) this racket that Benz is running has cost me $1,000. This has to be against the law. I'll have to look up the Texas deceptive trade act and/or report this to the Texas attorney general.

- Spring, TX, USA

Without any warning, my car will not start. Thought it was the battery, but no luck. The key open the door, the lights inside of the care come on, and the screen still pops up on the dashboard. The steering wheel is locked and you can not change the gear. I had to get my car towed to the dealership. Car has almost 70 K miles on it. Very dissapointed to read the other complaints and the projected cost to fix. About a year and a half ago I also paid out of pocket for the rear light panel due to it not working. I recently learned that the rear lighting issue is an official recall. Now the hurdle begin for me to get refunded for nearly $500. :(

- San Antonio, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 mph, the vehicle lost power steering without warning. The steering wheel became hard to maneuver. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The contact was unaware of the exact parts needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 38,000.

- Phoenix , AZ, USA

My car left me stranded at work. When I was leaving work my car would not start the steering was completely locked. The car would not even start the only thing that would turn on was the radio and a message of not to forget to remove your key. I could not even get the car out of gear. I would crank it and nothing, it was completely dead. I never received a message to warn me that something was faulty.. before taking car into dealership I did my research online and spoke with a service tech at Mercedes and said that it was possibly eis failure and steering lock. After so many complains like mine online I can't believe there is not a recall on this. I believe this is a safety hazard. What if this would of happened when I was driving and my steering locked" who knows?...is Mercedes waiting for serious accidents to happen" these failures are really a call for a recall..if there are anymore Mercedes owners out there with the same problem file your complaints maybe if more of us complain they will do a recall. This is not cheap to fix it cost from $1200 to $1700. I bought a Mercedes believing I was buying a dependable vehicle now I am having second thoughts after all I have read...

- Robstown, TX, USA

I drove my car to work and parked in the parking lot. I exited the car and locked the doors when I remembered that on this day, the tree cutting crew will be servicing the parking lot. I returned to the car to move it but when I turned the key my ignition would not engage and the car wouldn't start. I thought it was the battery even though all lights illuminated and the remote door locks and radio were working fine. I jump started the vehicle with another car nonetheless to make sure it wasn't a dead battery. The car wouldn't start. I've owned the car for many years but nothing like this has ever happened. To come out to a car with a working battery and not starting. I had to get my car towed to the dealership who checked all fuses and wiring only to determine that it was the eis or esl unit. This is the electronic steering lock mechanism that malfunctioned. I ended up spending over $1000 to get this fixed.

- Santa Ana, CA, USA

Defective electronic steering lock (esl): Hi, my steering lock just went on me as well and was left stranded with no car this past weekend! my 2009 C300 4matic sport has approx. 56,000 miles on it and I am out of warranty. I called mb usa and begged for warranty assistance but was basically told no because as a second owner I did not have the vehicle serviced enough times at the local mb dealership! I guess I haven't spent enough money to date on unwarranted repairs at the local dealership?? after extensive online research I too found that this is a very common problem with the 2008 and 2009 mb C300, and most likely later models as well!. I also found out that the electronic steering lock (esl) failure typically happens right after expiration of the basic warranty. Just like the thousands of mb C300 owners stuck in this situation, I need my vehicle and have no choice but to shell out the money for this repair! (over $1,000). I am scared to death to drive this car anywhere far in fear that another technical/mechanical breakdown will occur. In addition to esl failure, another concern of mine is finding out that electronic ignition system (eis) failure is another common problem with the 08-09 mb C300's. shame on Mercedes for not issuing a recall on the esl & eis issues and sticking it to the consumers. I too plan on contacting my attorney regarding this issue.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

My vehicle experienced a failure of its starting and steering lock functions. The underline problem and areas of concern is the frequency of this failure and the dangers associated with having the vehicle immobilized when the associated parts fail. Mercedes Benz has not taken any responsibility for this issue yet it can't be fixed without dealership intervention. The costs associated with this particular issue besides having your car towed is in the excess of $1,000. In my case I have been quoted &1700.00! although my particular instance happened when the car was parked, there is no exception that it can occur when the vehicle is motion causing the vehicle to shut off and the steering wheel to lock in any position. Updated 11/24/2014

- Rio Grande, PR, USA

For the third time in 6 months my car wouldn't start. Got of work getting ready to go home and the car wouldn't start. Towed to the dealership and they checked it and couldn't find a thing. They asked me to bring the spare key and the car started. Fast forward three weeks later...same issue. They kept the car for 5 days and couldn't find noting so they replaced the battery in November. Fast forward to yesterday Feb. 25th. 2014 same thing happened. Towed it to the dealership and they determined it was the steering lock: Ezl steering lock and programming key. I hope and pray my extended warranty covers this. I have a 2009 C300.

- Harvest, AL, USA

My name is [xxx] and I have recently purchased a used Mercedes C300 4matic sport. My wife and I have always wanted to own a Mercedes for its reliability, outstanding performance and service. One evening my wife and I went grocery shopping and after coming back in to the car we ended up being stranded for several hours waiting for an emergency roadside service to find out what the problem was. We initially thought it would simply require a jump start and never expected the car to have a major problem because we always maintain our cars. We had no choice but to tow the car to the Mercedes dealership in huntington, New York. Let me remind you that the car is only 5 years old, and has under 45,000 miles so it"S still young, and never has been in any accidents. The next day a mechanic from the dealership called me and informed me that the problem is the steering lock module which needs to be changed and the total cost is $1,200. I was absolutely shocked because I never expected a car this prestigious to have problems like this. I think is unfair, extortionate and unethical for Mercedes to charge their customers for a technical fault that clearly requires a recall. After some extensive research I came to find that this is a common technical error that to my surprise still has not been put as a recall. A lot of Mercedes owners have had the same problem which is simply unethical and unjustified. A prestigious car like Mercedes shouldn't let a technical fault like this occur because of the precise detailed attention they put on each and every car they manufacture. Even if the problem does exist Mercedes should have a recall on the issue and not let its customers pay for Mercedes" fault. Which is why I am seriously considering taking this case further and filing legal suit. I have arranged an appointment with my lawyer on Friday to speak further about this. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Plainview, NY, USA

I was getting my car detailed. While waiting on another customer had car vacuumed out. After about 30 mins, tried starting the car and the key would turn with out starting the car. Had it towed to Mercedes shop. There I was told it was an electrical problem with the steering column. Steering lock has electric fault is what was stated to me for a price of $1700.+ to be repaired. This is the third electrical problem since purchasing the car. I've had the left and right wiring repaired, the left one was still under warranty, the right one wasn't. the wiring was actually burnt. I feel as though this electrical problem is definitely something Mercedes Benz need to have a recall on.

- Laurinburg, NC, USA

Brought my car in for a repair of the steering column on 3/9/2013 to the Mercedes dealership where I purchased the car, which they took care of. But, then about a month later started to get warnings from the dashboard to check my right rear taillight and directional. Then it was the right rear side lamps, taillights, brake lights, reverse lights and directional, every time I start the car and/ or whenever one of those lights is engaged while driving. Waiting for a recall and saw that mbusa requires exact information for the complaints.

- Gainesville, VA, USA

The vehicle would not accept the computer chip key pod and the car was completely disabled, steering lock assembly had an electrical fault. The car was completely locked up, unable to turn ignition on. No advance notice that this was a problem. The car had to be towed to a Mercedes dealership for repair, almost 50 miles at a cost of $240. The repair was $707 and involved replacement of steering column lock assembly. This was not covered under warranty by Mercedes and they have not announced a recall even though this problem seems prevalent on the internet. The safety issue is having a vehicle that cannot be operated, nor repaired by anyone other than an authorized Mercedes dealership. This problem strands the driver at a place wherever the problem may occur. I had the dealership return the faulty part if NHTSA would like to inspect it. The Mercedes Benz steering column lock problem is not from wear and tear, more likely a software problem between the ignition and the key. As a consumer, I feel ripped off to the tune of $1,000 to pay for a problem that Mercedes knows about, yet has not initiated a recall to repair the fault.

- Chino Hills, CA, USA

I parked vehicle in a public parking late at night. I was with my son, I tried to turn on vehicle and it did not start. I was stranded late at night with my son with no ride. I had two mechanics look at it, one of which was a mechanic for the Mercedes dealer. Both stating it was the steering lock module, they both told me this was a common problem with the Mercedes C300. This problem costs $1300 to fix with the dealer, the part alone is over $550. Reading about this problem online, it is very common in the 2008-2009 models, normally occurring around 3-4 years of owning the vehicle, and is not covered under the extended warranty. Mercedes should have a recall for this problem! theses are fairly new vehicles and it is clearly a manufacturers defect!

- Pharr, TX, USA