2 years ago manager told me the wiring of the head lamps was melting but he can only replace the whole unit( both). I told him that a car with 30000 mils this should not be happening. Nothing he can do. The car has started to burn on the inside, smoke comes out of the engine. Car Transport children. To and from school. Eery other onth lamps burn out, happening since the car was new. Finally went to shop again today and they put it on paper. Wire coating falling apart, causes burn out of lamps. This is a huge danger and should be recalled not paid by user. Have sent 2 other complaints to NHTSA with no resolution. Why"???? additionally car has had tail lamp problems since the beginning with one recall. Additionally the seat cover of the driver side is coming apart in pieces since year 2. how is it possible no action has been taken"

- Aventura, FL, USA

Second warning regarding the electrical wiring regarding the front head lamps. The wiring is burning up and it will cause a fire with deadly consequences. This car has had a recall before regarding the wiring of the back stop lights, if nothing is done there will be a fire. The seat (front) covering is peeling off, co. Says its normal. This is my 2nd report and the smoke is getting heavier all the time and it is affecting the computer of the car function. The vehicle is always picking up children with my wife. Very difficult to get photo, but is visible on both sides of the front head lights. There has been no fire yet but there is smoke.

- Aventura, FL, USA

The wiring to the head lambs (both) are burning up, causing a burnt smell in the car, company says to buy new head lamps. The electric wire system in the car has been a problem since the beginning. Evidently the heat in the motor area is to much for the quality of the wiring covers and they cause lamp burn out, and burn the plastic wire covering. Car is used for pleasure has very few miles. Very hard to take a picture, tech had a hard time getting to it.

- Aventura, FL, USA

Got home from work parked my car, I would say maybe about 3 hrs later I get on my car to go pick up my son and I wasn't able to turn my car on. My keyfob worked fine when I unlocked and locked the vehicle but when I would insert the keyfob in the ignition I was able to turn the key all the way to the on position. All though it turned in the ignition it wouldn't give the car a crank or any power at all, the radio, windows dashboard, headlights, nothing worked at all, it wouldn't even unlcock my steering coloumn either. Which made it even a bigger hastle to tow the car without being able to turn the steering wheel luckily II left the wheels straight when I parked my vehicle. I've seen that this issue is common on this Mercedes model. If its a common problem Mercedes should be able to recall this ignition fault. Theres plenty of reasons why it can be a stressing situation if it happens to anybody, especially not being able to unlock thje steering column. There can be plenty of what if's (what if, U had ur wheels turned, what if your far from home, ur parked in a tight space how are you going to get the car towed, you have an emergency and your car suddenly wont start, at a gas station pumping gas and your car wont start, even after just having dinner at a restaurant) imagine having an issue like this and you are with ypur family its very stressful or everybody. I'm sure its happened to a lot of people but they dont file a complaint or maybe they dont know they can file one. I just hope Mercedes can really do something about this issue since is very common on this model 2009 Mercedes C350.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

Car was parked in a parking lot. I was 120 miles from home when the engine would not start -- even though the battery, lights, stereo, gauges, etc. All worked fine. Still, the engine wouldn't even crank, had car towed to an independent Mercedes repair facility (it was a Sunday and the local Mercedes service department was not open). The electronic ignition switch (eis) and other parts needed to be replaced at a cost of $1526.94. Months later I visited the NHTSA website and learned that this is a common problem with this model of Mercedes and that the manufacturer is refusing to pay for the repair. With a problem this widespread -- which can occur multiple times during the life of the car -- Mercedes should foot the bill. I would have complained earlier but only now learned that many other owners are experiencing the same defect. My car had only 37,110 miles at the time. I should be reimbursed my Mercedes.

- Redondo Beach, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes Benz C350. The contact stated that the key failed to start the vehicle after numerous attempts and the steering column did not lock. In addition, certain electrical components, such as the radio, door locks, interior lights, and exterior lights did not function. The take key out of the ignition indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that electronic steering control module malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000. Updated 04/07/16

- Milford, DE, USA

I had to replace the steering lock module which cost nearly $1200. The car has approximately 110,000 km. The car started fine in the morning and was parked for about 20 minutes in the grocery store parking lot. When I returned to the car and tried to start it, it would not crank. The alarm turned off fine, radio and lights worked, instrument cluster read the key and good me to remove it before exiting the vehicle. The transmission and steering wheel were locked in park. The car had to be towed to a dealership where they diagnosed and replaced the steering lock module. I read online and found numerous complaints about the same issues.

- Blaine, WA, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes Benz C350. While parked, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who diagnosed that the electronic steering box and the electronic ignition switch (eis) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 83,000.

- Lafayette, LA, USA

Car had ignition switch failure. Steering wheel locked transmission locked in park. Dash lights and door locks operate.car had to be towed to dealer.this has been a large problem with these vehicles for years.there should be a manufactuer recall not a consumer expense. Thank you, please help

- San Andreas, CA, USA

I am attempting to leave office depot parking lot and my car will not start (no problem prior to going into the store!) I put the key in the ignition the lights, radio, dashboard all come on and I hear a clicking sound. However, the power windows don't work, nor the sunroof. After researching most of the night (couldn't rest) and most of the day, it appears to be the electronic ignition switch (eis) which is very costly! and there are tens of thousands of complaints over the span of years!!! the nightmare stories (I had deja vu...exactly the same issue!) defiantly enough complaints about this issue that your organization should open an investigation. A demand for a recall is needed asap!!! price of replacement/repair could be from $1,100 to $2,200....ridiculous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- Lafayette, LA, USA

2009 Mercedes Benz C350 - steering wheel lock / $1400 to repair and replace the module. Common issue with the C-class.

- Yonkers, NY, USA

Rear light assembly failure due to a melted electrical connector.

- Land O Lakes, FL, USA

Complaint: C-class rear light melting issue. Rear bulb light fail error. Reporting a burning smell of melting plastic and failure of rear turn signals and brake lights. I went out on the internet and saw I wasn't the only one this happened to and that the U.S. safety regulators have opened a probe of an estimated 218,000 Mercedes C-class sedans have been reported. I called the Mercedes-Benz of seattle and everyone that I tried to talk to about this problem didn't acknowledge it at all. Of course I had the it repaired and it cost $541.41 again trying to talk to them about this problem and what I had seen on the internet no one was saying anything which showed me they have been told not to talk about it. I called Mercedes corporate office to see if they could to a good will gesture but I was told "no". add me to the list of complaints. I would like to be reimbursed for this amount so I hope I see a recall come through.

- Seattle, WA, USA

Rear passenger side tail lights no longer functional. Started getting a constant display message to check rear break, fog, and turn signal. First checked for bad fuse. Finally went to check the bulb housing and noticed that one of the wires was frayed. The wire was exposed and the wire harness seem to be damaged as well from the heat. The wires are bad and will need to be replaced.

- Mcdonough, GA, USA

A dashboard warning indicator came on, indicating my right rear tail light was not functioning. I opened up the trunk, and located the harness that holds the rear tail light bulbs. There was a burn mark in the harness that holds the light bulbs. I took the car to my dealership, and they told me the wiring shorted out, and it needs replaced. I have the pdf file that the dealer sent me indicating this is what happened.... there is an outstanding nhtsb complaint filed already... blogs.automotive.com/NHTSA-probing-Mercedes-Benz-C-class-for-tail-light-failures-144659.html.

- Des Plaines, IL, USA