Steering Column Problems of Mercedes Benz C350

Vehicle was stationary. Steering column locked up and vehicle would not start.

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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.

See all problems of the 2009 Mercedes Benz C350 🔎.

My 2008 C350 failed to start without warning, I called aaa to come check the battery and they said the battery was good. I also noticed that my steering wheel would not unlovk when the key was inserted. I called aaa again and requested to have my car towed to the dealership to investigate the issue. The dealership called to tell me that my steering column and eis both failed and it would cost around $1500 to replace. I went on the mbusa forum website and found hundreds of owners that have had the same problem, I even saw a campaign number listed for the eis. If these defects are known issues and since they fail without warning and could cause the eis to fail and along with the steering column to lock while the driver is driving causing an accident or leaving a family stranded, I'm not to sure why this safety issue has not been recalled and addressed yet. Do we need people to die in vehicle accidents from these parts failing before we do the right thing and recall these defective parts? I'm very thankful that my parts failed when I wasn't driving because I might not be the one writing this complaint, it would be my daughters and wife writing and crying because a known defect was not corrected in a timely manner and it took my life and possibly others. Let's be proactive and not reactive!.

Drove car to work without any problems. At the end of day, car would not start and engine would not crank or turn over. Dashboard indicator, radio, windows, interior/exterior lights worked. Got a jump from employee parking services, but car still would not start. Steering column locked and unable to shift gear to neutral. Towed car to auto repair shop and had service diagnostic performed. Error found to be related to service campaign 2008020003 issued March 2008 in which the electronic ignition switch required replacement. Per campaign, "daimler ag has determined that the eis may malfunction preventing the electric steering lock and the central lock from functioning. Dealers will replace the eis on the affected vehicles during the next workshop visit. Please note that recall and service campaigns do not expire and may also be performed on a vehicle with a vehicle status indicator. Order no. P-SC-2008020003. " parts--part name:eis part a204 545 14 08 estimated replacement rate 100%; part name:orange workshop key (must be ordered by VIN) part a000 766 96 06 9999 estimated replacement rate 100%. Warranty information: operation: replace eis control module (02-5644); connect/disconnect star diagnosis (02-4762); connect/disconnect battery charger (02-5058). Damage code: 46 926 31 7. Do your research--this problem has affected thousands of mb owners and has occurred to some while driving. This is a serious safety hazard, more so than the back tail light issue which was recalled. Please investigate this dangerous issue and make this a required recall covered by mercedes. Don't buy another mercedes without checking the vmi, vehicle master inquiry first. Lives matter.

I had just stopped to put gas in the vehicle and upon completion I got back in the car to start it. When I turned the key, the car wouldn't start. I had headlights and my dashboard was partially lit up, but nothing else would work. I then called the mb road side assistance and a technician came out and determined it was not a battery or starter problem. The technician said that it was probably the eis since he had seen the same situation before. An hour later the car was towed to the dealership, and dropped off with much trouble since the steering column didn't function. Several days later I got a call from my service consultant, informing me that the car needed the ignition starter switch as well as the eis unit and two new keys needed to be programmed. The total was $2500. In the meantime, I found a TSB number 2008020003, dated March 1, 2008, documenting the exact problem I was having. It appears that it was a know problem even back in 2008. My car is in excellent condition and it has only 32,260 miles. Why didn't this become a recall? I also feel like I was robbed on the cost of the repairs. I'll never trust this car again and I'm not buying another mercedes.

The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes Benz C350. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and all the instrument panel indicators were illuminated. The dealer stated that the steering column module needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 63,000.

On Sunday, June 27, upon returning to my car I discovered that the key would not disengage the steering column lock to allow me to turn the ignition switch to the on position or steer the vehicle. In addition, the gearshift could not be dislodged from the park position. I contacted aaa. A test of battery revealed that it was fully charged. I was able to manually disengage the gear shift and place the car in neutral, however, the car was unable to be loaded on to the flatbed tow-truck, as the front wheels were locked at an angle and I was parked in parking space, between the sidewalk to my front and right side and a car to my left. I was forced to leave the vehicle and find an alternative means of getting home. Five days and numerous attempts later, aaa was finally able to retrieve my vehicle. Conversation with mechanics at mb dealership as well as mb trained private mechanic identified problem as defective electronic ignition switch (eis/ ezs) and electronic steering lock (esl/ elv). Contacted mbusa corporate office and was informed that the financial responsibility for the repair (approximately $1,600) was mine, since, despite hundreds of complaints regarding similar mechanical issue, there is not a recall.