Five problems related to ignition module have been reported for the 2008 Mercedes Benz C300. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Electrical fault in 2008 C300 mercedes in front sam module has water intrusion from windshield water drain next to driver side fuse panel/ sam. Water intrusion caused customers vehicle to die while driving and caused esl steering lock to lock steering column and ignition key esi to lose communication with low voltage codes. Dash instrument cluster only comes on when opening the door and bcm becomes active. No response from ignition and driver almost lost control of vehicle when steering locked during malfunction/ power problems. Driver had vehicle towed with steering locked in a left turn. Esm[ewm] - electronic selector module(n15/5) 1 problems exist 1. U016800 communication with the electronic ignition lock has a malfunction. Ezs - electronic ignition lock(n73) 2 problems exist 1. A10d00 the power supply is too low. _ 2. C14600 communication with the central gateway has a malfunction. Driver-side sam - front signal acquisition and actuation module 7 problems exist 1. B215f71 relay 1 ''circuit 15r'' has a malfunction. The actuator is blocked. 2. B212171 relay 1 ''circuit 15'' has a malfunction. The actuator is blocked. 3. B172b15 the output of the front footwell illumination has a malfunction. There is a short circuit to positive or an open circuit. 4. B179715 left standing light 2 has a malfunction. There is a short circuit to positive or an open circuit. 5. B126231 a magnetic interference field was detected. 6. B126322 control unit ''n10/1 (front sam control unit with fuse and relay module)'' has received no lin message from component ''compass module''. 7. B127a54 component ''compass module'' is not calibrated. Rear sam - rear signal acquisition and actuation module 2 problems exist 1. B182811 the output for remote trunk opening has a malfunction. There is a short circuit to ground. 2. U016800 communication with the electronic ignition lock has a malfunction.
My car would not start. . . Nothing when the I turn the key into the on position . The battery was checked and was good. This happed several times over months but twice the car started after sitting maybe 8 hours. This happened a third time a few months later. I was stranded and ended up having the car towed home. I tried starting it the next day . . Nothing. My authorized mercedes repair shop informed me that it was the electronic ignition module. I waited 2 weeks for the part. Cost was $1600. Just a note. . . I occasionally heard a faint noise like a motor running inside of my car whenever I turned the ignition off for a couple years but did not think it was any thing to be concerned but apparently this may have been a sign of a failing part.
Approximately two years ago the electronic steering lock module (esl module) failed and the vehicle would not start while the steering wheel and transmission shifter were locked. Had to take to the dealer to replace the module at a cost of $840. 00. Right now the electronic ignition switch module (eis module) failed and again the steering wheel and transmission shifter were locked and the car will not start. Dealer is asking for $1150. 00 to repair. These are known defects in mercedes vehicles. I asked Mercedes Benz USA to cover the cost of the repairs of the vehicle in both cases and they have refused to admit that these are known defects and to repair the vehicle free of charge.
Esp control module as I was driving on the highway, specifically getting off the interstate on a curved road, all of a sudden the following message/code illuminated across my dashboard, "brake" ebr abs esp inoperative. I wasn't sure what this meant and I was extremely alarmed and nervous. As soon as I could I brought it into the shop and the technician told me it wasn't a brake issue, it was a faulty electronic stability control panel that needed to be replaced. The technician told me that he had just replaced these in about 4 other vehicles. Same exact problem. After doing research, it is a major safety concern because it reads the wheel data from the sensors as well as the abs module which prevents traction and slippage when driving on the road, when making sharp turns, or even turning left or right. The car seems to fishtail. It also prevents stability on the road in the event of a crash. I've also noticed it has affected other areas of the car such as the turn signal, cruise control mechanism, steering column and starting up the car has also been an issue. I've had to turn the ignition switch a couple of times to get the car started. The car is also driving rougher than usual. This is a major concern for us because I am a single mother and I have a nine year old son who drives with me frequently. I'm worried about our safety. Not to mention our front driver and passenger takata airbags still have a recall that have yet to be dealt with. It has been well over a year and the problem still hasn't been resolved. This esp control module costs $1,500 to replace and I cannot afford this. I'm driving around in a ticking time bomb just waiting for something to happen. It is a major concern and needs to be addressed immediately. Thank you for your time and I certainly hope you take this seriously and place this on the recall list to avoid a bad situation.
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving at 35 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering lock and ignition module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 99,000.