general problems of the 2008 Mercedes Benz C300 - part 1

On [xxx] the car refused to start due to the electronic steering lock failure. The car was towed to the nearest Mercedes Benz dealer at stevens creek blvd, san jose CA 95129. An inspection was done and Mercedes Benz wanted $3457. 66 to replace the steering lock. This item is a recall item in other years of the C300 Mercedes Benz. Google shows: mercedes-benz has issued a recall for the mercedes- benz c-class models, including the C300, due to potential steering lock issues. The recall specifically affects 2015- 2016 C300 models, as well as other c-class variations like the 2017-2019 C300 cabrio and coupe. The recall is due to a potential problem with the electronic steering lock (esl) module, which is responsible for locking and unlocking the steering wheel. A faulty esl module can prevent the steering wheel from unlocking, causing the vehicle to be unable to start. We feel that the recall should also apply to the C300 2008 model as it is exactly the same issue and completely incapacitates the car and is a danger to the public as involves the electronic steering. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The contact owns a 2008 mercedes-benz C300. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. The contact stated that a message to remove the ignition key was displayed. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact stated that later while starting the vehicle the vehicle failed to start as intended. In addition, the contact stated the steering wheel had seized. The contact inspected the battery and determined there was no failure with the battery. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was requested to pay a diagnostic fee and declined. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Esl failed suddenly. This appears to be a common problem with C300 mb. As such it should be part and f a recall as the expense to replace is over $2000.

Car worked fine, all the sudden it wouldn't turn over, I would put the key in and turn it and nothing would happen, I was stuck and had to catch a ride, lucky that I was able, a car company that is supposedly reliable shouldn't allow there cars to completely give out on people during the middle of winter storms and not take ownership, when the customer has taken good care of the car. Talked to several mechanics and turned out it was the electronic steering lock (esl) module that had malfunctioned probably due to the software and electrical. Due to this only the benz dealerships can repair, I had to tow it to a dealership and was charged around $2000 after haggling over the price. Terrible experience and should be recalled by mb, I have seen many complaints about this online and was very disappointed there wasn't a cheaper solution. Was both a safety issue, inconvenient and very costly.

After repair done on the confirmed recall airbag computer/module my vehicle became immobile, malfuctioned. The vehicle warning lamps alerted the airbag malfunctioned, srs malfunction. I seeked service for repair of this recall by experts. This safety issue is still ongoing and urgency is needed for this to be resolved.

Pulled into parking space on side of street and turned off vehicle to pick up restaurant food. Returned to vehicle within 5 minutes, turned the key, and vehicle was dead. 93 year old mother was in car which was now stuck in parking space. We had to open the doors, due to vehicle windows not functioning, to try to prevent inside of car from overheating due to outside temperature. Called aaa, who arrived after about 45 minutes, tried to jump start car, indicated appeared battery was fine. Had to re-contact aaa to get car towed. Waited another 45 minutes for tow truck to arrive. Again checked battery and ignition, battery fine, car was locked in park and steering wheel was locked,. Towing technician had to lift up center console to reach underneath to switch to neutral. Technician had great difficulty getting car onto flatbed of tow truck because it kept slipping back into park. Adding to the difficulty was the location of the car in the parking space on the side of a busy street. Car was towed from newport, ri to tiverton, ri to viti mercedes dealer, who confirmed the problem. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. The final bill to repair this issue was $2,214. 15. Upon review of other incidents that occurred with this make, model and year, there have been a myriad of accounts of this same issue going back many years. Based on the numerous incidents of this type and the potential safety devastation this could have caused, the $2,214. 15 paid for repair in addition to $55 for towing should be reimbursed. This is a major safety issue that could be detrimental to the driver, occupants, towing company and other people around the disabled vehicle.

Drove 4 blocks away from my home to the store in merced CA on gst and 20th. . When I tried to start the car it didn't start and my steering wheel was locked. And I couldn't take it out of park. I have had to replace tail lights a few times this last month. ## VIN passed ## mercedes-benz 2008 C300 ##.

I took my car to the mercedes dealership for an alignment. It is a 2008 C300 series. After they called and said it was done they said that the esl mechanism locked up in the car and completely failed. To this point I have never had an issue with this car, and I have never had it fail. Now they are telling me that it just happens to be one of the worst parts that they have to repair notoriously in these cars. So I called two other dealerships of the same build two other mercedes dealerships told me the same thing. I looked up in the blog system and found in the national safety records that numerous people have had the same complaint and they have all been filed. Why are we not starting a recall on this because to get my car back what was supposed to be $167 is now 1,267. 00 this is quite a jump for a car I have never had this issue with. They insisted that there is nothing that can be done to repair it and as likely as it is it was bound to happen at any time. So my complaint is what do I need to do to start a recall on this item. I have a hard time with all of the same parts going bad and dealership parties also telling us these are bad parts but I recall has not been initiated. But other ancillary issues have been recalled that are little to no importance however this one at any given moment can lock up your steering wheel and could potential he cause an accident. Is what two dealerships told me of course the one that I am getting repaired would not admit that. Please help us get a recall on this we are at your mercy for the safety of our families driving a mercedes-benz car.

Stepped on the brakes and the car veered sharply to the right. Vehicle felt very unstable. Would of been horrible if the surface was snow covered or icy. Took into a repair facility and found out the rear subframe has rusted to the point of failure. The rear tire could move several inches. Somebody could be killed or severely injured.

This is the 2nd time this has happened. I turned the car off and came back out and it would not start. The front wheels were locked. The key went in and turned. The lights and power was there but, the car would not start. The front wheels were locked and so was the drive shifter. The first time the car was in a parking lot and my wife was left stranded. The second time was in out driveway. We came home to get something and when we went out it wouldn't start.

Took car in for airbag recall, week later the car wont unlock, had to pay $50 to get in, was told battery had 12. 4 amps, car wont turn over, electronic systems not engaging, alarm goes off, replaced battery $160checked fuses and bought $25, nothing now having to tow back to Mercedes Benz of chandler that did my "recalls" out of pocket. The recall service messed it up. The exact thing as in complaint 212.

Tl the contact owns a 2008 mercedes-benz C300. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start without warning. The vehicle was towed to mercedes-benz of south charlotte (950 n polk st, pineville, nc 28134, (704) 837-7955) where it was diagnosed that the electric power steering seized and caused the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 142,017.

Issue: parked vehicle failed to start. Steering locked. Shifter locked. Sudden failure, no warnings. Vehicle towed to dealer. Dealer diagnostic: electronic steering lock (esl) failed. Affected p/n: 204-545-81-32. Special notes: (1) car maintained by dealer. Oem parts purchased from dealer. (2) this will be the second time part is replaced by the dealer on this vehicle. Last replaced in 2012. (3) contacted mb customer care (case manager) to share concern. Immediately stated: "not a safety concern. " no interest in reporting issue to leadership or appropriate department. Safety concern and recommendations: (1) past history * and lack of oem intervention suggest esl could fail while vehicle is being driven causing driver to lose complete steering control of vehicle. (2) both a failure modes and effects analysis (fmea) and system safety analysis (ssa) should be performed and reported to NHTSA to ascertain this is not a safety issue. (3) safety summary report or official statement should be shared with the public. * over 100 combined complaints reported in this website, mb forums, and off-line.

The els went out . Which I've been told is a very common problem with these cars because of the design of the els.

Car will not start after diving. Power from battery is good. Door still lock and unlock. This particluaf brand has issue with electronic steering locking and leaving car mobileless. Cannot place car in neautral for towing.

Takata recall car is completely locked up says remove key from ignition, left me stranded seems to be a common issue with this vehicle failure with steering lock and esl.

Tl- the contact owns a 2008 Mercedes Benz C300w-4. The contact stated that attempting to start the vehicle, the engine ignition does not turn on with a warning light illuminating saying take the key out the ignition. The contact also stated that the wheel seized as well. The vehicle was towed to mercedes-benz of boston 259 mcgrath hwy, somerville, MA 02143 (617) 666-4100 where the vehicle was repaired but the contact was not aware of the diagnosis. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 127669. Dr.

Car won't start and showed no symptom. After reading the blog it appears a lot people are going through the same issue and dealerships are the only authorized to work on them and taking people hard earned money. It stopped working working at 18583 dallas parkway suite 120 dallas, TX 75287 while it was parked. Park place mercedes is working on the vehicle and charging is more than thousand.

The power steering suddenly stop working while I am driving.

When driving on the freeway at a certain speed the rear end starts fishtailing making it hard to control the vehicle.

Steering wheel will lock disabling the car from being started . The key will turn but the car will not start . Good thing it was parked on driveway !we are unable to move the car whatsoever , shift mechanism is locked as well disabling the movement of car.

My mercedes was running good all day then when I went to the mall and came back back to start my car it had no power. We try jumping the car nothing. Use a different key nothing. . It won't start I had to call a tow truck . I took it to mercedes dealer just to look at it $300 . . Now they say it's the key ingotion that needs to replace cost me $1200+. . I just bought the car 7 months ago I have no warrant. . I google the problem and it's a common problem that ppl have plz investigate this problem cuz it cost a lot of money to fix and I'm out of a car for a week . Thank you.

While driving all of a sudden the steering stopped working. It turned freely both sides but the car was going straight. It happened on a city road. If it happened on a highway it would be a disaster.

Steering lock mechanism faulty. Steering locked and car inoperable. Car was parked. Had to be towed to dealer.

Eis/esl failed at 100k despite regular maintenance.

Vehicle parked and locked. When I attempted to unlock vehicle with remote control, vehicle would not unlock. Door had to be opened manually with "key". When attempting to start vehicle, no warning lights went on in position 2 and car woud not start in position 3. Towing company was called. Was unable to start vehicle. Vehicle towed to mbz dealer. Dealer confirmed that the electronic ignition steering lock malfunctioned and required replacement. Replacement completed.

The steering wheel locks up and will not move. Dealership and web state this is a common problem with this model of the car and the eis and esl switches need to be removed and replaced.

Steering refused to unlock and thus the car would not start. Car was stationary sitting in the garage.

Last week I drove my daughter to school. Then I went to the gas station and turned the car off. When I tried to start the car to leave, it would not start. It did not do anything. I could not even roll the windows up. The car did nothing other than say "remove ignition key. " the battery was tested and fine. It had just been replaced 1 month ago. The tow truck driver brought it to my mechanic who then said it had to be brought to the dealer. The mercedes dealer said it was the eis/steering switch. The cost will be $1900. I've called other mechanics. No-one can fix it because mercedes has the parts and coding exclusively. This is a lot of money and with the amount of complaints it should be a recall. Last year my car also experienced the srs light malfunction. I brought it to the dealer and this was also another huge expense. The dealer did not take the responsibility of a recall. They acted like it was a big surprise.

The contact owns a 2008 mercedes-benz C300. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering. As a result, the vehicle was not operable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000. The VIN was not provided.

Electronic steering lock (esl)goes out damage without reason,happen routinely to most of this models mechanic shops and dealer stated it,vehicle parked won't unlock steering or simple restart.

The steering wheel electronic lock, shut down my car. I drove to the doctors office and it stop working. It would not start. I found out that there are 1000 of complaints from other people who had the same problem. . But since there isn't a recall we would be subjected to paying out of our pocket. About $950.

Ordinary day at my job, got off and went to my car and put the key in lights in the instrument cluster came on and message was " remove the key" turn the key to accessory nothing happens, turn it all the way to start the ignition nothing happens, the vehicle is stuck in park and there is no way to move the shifter. After a research online and few phone calls I found out that this is a very common problem among mercedes vehicles. I took it to the dealer they did diagnose it for steering wheel lock and quoted me $1,300 for repairs. I do believe this should be a recall or at lease mercedes-benz of USA take it's part and reimburse the parts since it's a very common problem. I'm not happy at all of the way they deal with this problem.

2008 mercedes C300 with bad esl. Cost to fix is $1200. Seems like this is a known issues with mercedes as an internet search leads to many other who have had the same issue. I parked the car at work, then went out several hours later to go to lunch and it would not start. There was no sound of the starter or any other noises when trying to start the car. I thought it was the battery, but all the lights and everything else electrical worked on the car. Just to be safe, tried to jump the car, but it still did not start. Car was stuck and could not shift it into neutral. Had to call a tow truck to get it towed my local mbz dealer. Turns out it has a bad esl.

An hour after parking the vehicle, I was unable to start it back up. Had it towed to the dealer and diagnosed with eis/esl failure, at a cost of $1700 to replace. Mercedes disavowed all knowledge of this being a common issue, despite hundreds of online complaints to the contrary. All signs point to this being due to a cheap/faulty part at manufacture, which can fail at any time, leaving drivers stranded in potentially unsafe areas or on the side of the road. Car has 75000 miles and exemplary service record.