Steering Column problems of the 2011 Mercedes Benz C300

Car parked,steering column seized. Unable to start ignition or put vehicle in gear.

Tl- the contact owns a 2011 Mercedes Benz C300. The contact received a recall notice under NHTSA campaign number:19v010(air bag). The contact took the vehicle to plaza mercedes-benz 11910 olive blvd, creve coeur, mo 63141314) 266-5469 where she was informed that her steering column needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the steering column was not covered under warranty and that she would have to pay out of pocket for the repairs. The contact was also informed by the dealer that if the steering column was not replaced, the vehicle could potentially shut off without warning. The manufacturer had not been contacted in relation to the steering column. A failure had not occurred on the vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired. Jo.

We are a small family owned car lot that has been in business since 2005. We sold a 2011 mercedes C300 to a nice young couple last week. After only having it less than 24 hours, the customer called stating the vehicle will not start. Said went to start the vehicle in the morning and the steering wheel was locked and car would not start. The lights & radio turned on but it had a message on dash to remove key from ignition. We had to call a tow company to tow it to the mechanic and put them in a loaner car. Later that day I started doing some research and realized many many others are having this same exact issue and it is costing them $1600-$1800 to have the esl & eis replaced. It is insane how many of the same issue have been recognized and reported yet there is no active recall on this very dangerous, expensive issue with on a car that many people can only dream about having! I will attach the link also that I found the others having the same issue. . Read more...

Steering column lock faulty eis/esl car won't start numerous complaints from others owners. Went on break took nap in car come back 1 hour later won't start.

I went to the park with my wife and 1 year old son, I parked the car and returned a few hours later, the steering column was locked and the key would not start or unlock the steering wheel, the car had to be dragged out of parking space since the steering wheel would not unlock and the car was stuck in park. It was towed to the dealership where they diagnosed a bad steering column $1600 repair bill, after researching the issue I have found hundreds of owners of the same vehicle which have the exact same issue and repair, so this is a very common and know issue by Mercedes Benz. I believe that if the steering column can become locked it could potentially turn very dangerous if the car is in motion because the operator would be unable to maneuver the vehicle.