10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 72,442 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that she had experienced several electrical failures with the vehicle including the power seat and power windows, the parking brake, the exterior lighting, and the air bag warning lights. The contact also stated that the vehicle would lose motive power and stall while driving at various speeds with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. Upon investigation, the contact linked that failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V168000 (Exterior Lighting, Electronic Stability Control, Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
- Raleigh, NC, USA
Eis steering lock battery fail. $12 battery dies and eis stays in lock position key doesn't respond to ignition switch or car unlocking doors.
- Newark, NJ, USA
"takata recall" when I was driving after a oil change, I heard a noise that sounded like someone hit my car. I was scared and shaky so I pulled over could see anything but I heard a ticking noise. Then I realized the head rest MINIair bag blew up and the wiring inside the head rest was burning. This happened while I was driving. I could have got into an accident. I had to pull over right where all the traffic was because my hands were shaking and I didn't know what to do with the burning smell. I had my hazards on and people went around me. Then all kinds of alerts went off on my car. I only had it for a year and a half it shouldn't do that. Something is really wrong and this is dangerous while someone is driving. My tires and all of a sudden the muffler is making noises now too what is going on with this car. It's treated well I'm scared to drive it now. I'm still making payments on it. It's was for me fairly new and still good, do I thought. I'm very disappointed and need some answers. I was told that maybe it's the eps control unit but haven't went to Mercedes dealer yet because I'm discouraged about this car and I haven't been feeling good.
- New London Ct Apartment 1, CT, USA
Takata recall, brake power steering malfunction ABS, esp, ets, SRS.esb, ebr flashes on and off on message center. Then vehicle started to drive very rough and bumpy, then I had no control of the steering wheel and it totally locked thank god iwas able to try and roll it to the side of the road and the car just totally went black and died, no headlights and I have to have it towed, waiting to get the diagnosis from the dealer. But I have done some research on line and have seen hundreds of the same complaints from all over the usa and even oversees that it has to do with the eis. This saddens me to see all the same complaints and I thought that we were protected as consumers by the government, and the NHTSA against major auto manufacturer such as mbusa to call out these deadly defects before it consumed innocence peoples lives. But it is obvious that our lives means nothing to these people, because with all these identical complaints this is a defect that should be address and mbusa should have the decency to take responsibility and admit that this is a manufacturer defect and do a recall. This is just too much complaints on this problem and no one seem to be taking this matter serious, and we as the consumers are being stuck with these major repair bills running in the thousand. What is the purpose in making these reports when no one seems to care. How many complaints do you have to receive on the same issue for the NHTSA and the fair trade act to stand up for us, in October of 2016 this same vehicle self accelerate and crash in to two other vehicles causing a major accident and when reported to mbusa they claim they did there investigation and nothing was wrong with my vehicle, they place the blame on me.daimler ag would not believe what there prestigious company as become
- Dorchester, MA, USA
Car was driving very well suddenly flashes on message center power steering malfunction SRS, ABS, ets, esb, ebr esp in operative and it keeps flashing when car is in motion, then disappear when ignition is off, I have notice several complaints on your website with this same issues with this same year, model and other Mercedes, a week a go I also receive a message to check brake pad wear before this message came up. I replace brake pads and rotos, and I am also being told it could also be my brake light switch or speed sensors, all was replace still as message. There is so many complaints with these messages that this should be considered a recall and the customers are being stuck with the repairs. It is obvious that it is a defect with these vehicles it is just too many. And no onw seems to be standing behind the consumers.mbusa is a major company and they are getting away with murder. Do you have to have major fatality before they do something about this problem. Does saving money means more than peoples lives it is just too many complaints on the same problems that common sense cant tell them it is a defect and the nhts should step up for us and demand a recall. How many complaints do you have to have in order for mbusa make this a recall.
- Dorchester, MA, USA
Parked car, went into store, came back out, started car, ebr, ABS and esp inoperative message came on along with power steering malfunction
- Washington, DC, USA
This vehicle had a failure upon start that eliminated a number of safety features. When I started the car, I received three errors that the following were disabled: Electrical brake (ABS, emergency brake, traction control), cruise control, and power steering. Loss of these made the car unsafe to drive.
- Timnath, CO, USA
I parked the car, and turned it off completely. When I returned to the car, they key fob would only turn the dashboard lights on, but the car will not start. The steering wheel is locked, and I cannot change the gear from "P". a message would appear "remove key from ignition" whenever the door is open. I have searched and it appears to be a very common problem in these models, where the eis or esl fails for no reason. The qoutes for this repair range from $1000 to $3000. I had to tow the car to my apartment, and now I have to tow the car to the dealership because they are the only ones who can solve this issue and reprogram it after installing the new parts.
- Charlotte, NC, USA
When I returned to my car in the parking lot after grocery shopping in the evening, the car would not start. The radio and lights on the dashboard worked and the seat moved, but the engine would not start. I had this car checked not too long ago and everything was fine, but the car just decided not to work suddenly. This is especially scary for a female stranded in a public parking lot at night. I did not get any warning messages before the incident. I had to call roadside assistance and try jump starting it first, which wasn't the problem as the battery was fully charged. I ended up having to tow the car early next morning because the dealer was closed and had to take a cab home. When I went to the dealer and stated all the "symptoms", mb knew right off the bat what the problem was, which to me is alarming. They told me they are 99% sure it is either electronic ignition switch or electronic steering lock problem and it would cost me $1200 to repair it. It obviously is a very common issue. They are very well aware of it, yet they are not doing nothing about it, as (they say) it is not a safety problem. How is this not a safety problem when the driver doesn't get a slightest warning or even a message that the car won't start and will leave you stranded wherever you are" as a young female living in a city without friends and family to help out, especially at night in a public space, this is quite frightening. I almost had a panic attack, because I didn't know what to do and never had to call roadside assistance. The only reason I had gotten a Mercedes Benz was for its safety. Mb site states: "true to their heritage, they're engineered to protect you in ways you might never have imagined. And with the hope that you'll never have to." How did mb protect me" mb has only engineered the car to rip off customers and not live up to its brand. This is very disappointing.
- Grapevine, TX, USA
I experienced the infamous steering lock problem 5 days ago in my (now former) 2009 Mercedes C300. Prior to this problem occurring my car seemed to be working fine. I've always had all of the recommended services performed on time by the dealer. Then last Saturday I was running errands and after my third stop my car wouldn't start. I assumed it was the battery (even though it had been replaced less than 2 years ago) and I called Mercedes roadside assistance. The roadside technician tested the battery and said it was fine and he immediately suspected it was the steering lock problem. After a bit more testing he confirmed it was and he said the car would need to be towed to the dealer on a flatbed. It was Saturday and the dealer's service department was closing but I got there just in time to get a loaner car. Once I got home I started doing internet research on the problem and I found this website. I decided to go back to the dealer on Sunday when the service department was closed and ask if I could trade in the car. I printed out all of the reports on this site and took them with me. The salespeople claimed they had not heard of this problem but they were not interested in learning about it. I waiting until yesterday when I had the repair quote before I traded it in. The cost would have been $1,800 but they said I could use a 15% off service coupon. I also tried to show the reports from this site to the service advisor but he wasn't interested in seeing them either. I decided I really needed a car that was still under warranty so I traded it in last night. They subtracted $1,500 off the trade in value for this repair. I tried to get them to document it so I would have some evidence if there is repair refund offered in the future but they were not willing to do so.
- Los Altos, CA, USA
Stationary while at the rest area during a hot summer day on the side of the highway. The steering column or electronic steering lock (esl) failed and the car would not start.car won't start and steering won't unlock... I stopped and cut the engine of and tried restarting the car it won't do anything. This particular part is faulty on most 2008-2009 Mercedes C300. Several hundred thousands are having issues with this particular part and at moments they get it working and at other times not so much. This part needs to be recalled since it is a dealer only replacement part and no one can touch is besides the dealer due to theft and security measures. Mercedes has this particular issue cornered and is not doing anything to work with the customer.
- Upper Marlboro, MD, USA
Car won't start and steering won't unlock...whenever I stop and cut the engine of and try starting G the car it won't do anything. Then after a good hour it will start...then I drive home and stop it won't start. Everyday twice a day... when J go to work or when I come home.
- River Forest, IL, USA
Car will not crank nor will it release stering wheel. It states to remove key. Had it towed and dealer reviewed it and it is also the eis. Had to pay to order part and also had to have it towed. Just glad this happened where I work at and not while traveling.
- Sumrall, MS, USA
I went to class on the date of 11/13/2015 and when I came out the vehicle would not start. After having the vehicle towed to the dealership, I was advised it would be $952.56 for an electrical issue due to no fault of my own and can happen at anytime. So I inquired on how long this would be covered for? I was told its electrical and can happen at anytime, it's like a cellphone or a computer. Yet those have warranties against issues like that whereas something I paid thousands of dollars does not. I have seen many complaints about this online and don't understand why they have not recalled this and continue to rip consumers off. Some even advising this has happen to them on the road which could very well lead to a major accident, it it has not already.
- Norcross, GA, USA
On the highway driving 40 mph warning on the display came on stating the" ebr, ABS, esp are inoperative" and a warning display stating "power steering malfunction". power steering was fine, but it was a very nerve wrecking drive. Dealership is stating it is the esp module and pump that needs to be replaced, which can only be done at the dealership.
- La Habra, CA, USA
Monday drove car to work with out any problems. Came out to go home that evening and car would not start. Could turn the ignition completely to the start position but the engine did not turn over. My radio worked, my power seats worked, trunk and doors opened with the key vibe. But nothing happened from the engine. Come to find out the steering wheel locked up for no reason. They had to skate my car in order to get it on the truck truck. This is a defect and I'm a woman and this could have happened at night when driving down the road.
- Woodland , NC, USA
Yesterday my beloved C300 left us stranded at a best buy parking lot late at night. It was really upset when I just get off work, and try to start my car and go home take a rest, but it would not start. I had to leave the car there overnight and was not until next morning that I got it to start. Since then it has been giving us problems so I call the local dealer and they gave me an appointment for next Monday. I have read that this is a very costly and a very well known issue with C300. By this time I am sure mb knows about it, and I did research online seems like that is a common issue and mb should recall for it. Unfortunately, mb don't take care of it, and do not cover it. It is a eis failure issue.. my 2009 C300 has just reached 50,000 klms. We have had it for about 10 months now... we are very concerned and disappointed. My car had to leave in parking lot overnight which is really dangerous, and I can't go to work since I don't have a car to drive. It's a pain for me, that I have to pay over $1000, and this is my first car, my financial can't really handle this unexpected issue since I take care of my so well...
- Fircrest, WA, USA
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes Benz C300. While attempting to start the engine, the vehicle failed to turn on and the steering lock engaged. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who replaced the steering lock and the control unit. There was no further information available. After retrieving the vehicle and driving, the brake ebr, ABS, esp and power steering failure messages appeared. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 63,033.
- Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Bogart, GA, USA