I put the key in the ignition turn it to start the car and nothing happens, none of the electrical comes on except for lights on the instrument panel. The car doesn't even try to start. Something is wrong with the electronic ignition system.

- Dallas, TX, USA

Ignition switch failed at 76K miles. Gear shift will not get out of park, steering wheel will not unlock and car will not start. Known to be a common issue that affects all Mercedes with electronic ignition. Mercedes should be brought to court via class action for this.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

09 Mercedes C300 this is a very common problem after 80K miles the solution to this problem is to replace car needs a new electronic steering lock (esl so they make a recall

- Brockton, MA, USA

Takata recall - nhsta recall number 16V081 and 17V017 and nhsta recall number 15V711 regarding the SRS control model. I have received several notices of these 3 very dangerous and urgent recalls. My vehicle is subject to these recalls and no remedy has been provided for all. I have contacted the manufacturer and Mercedes Benz dealership to have these recalls fixed, but I am told they have no parts to fix the recall, no remedy has been provided and there is nothing they can do to address the recalls - meanwhile, I am at risk every time I get behind the wheel and continue to receive notices about how dangerous this recall can be, life threatening. Now takata is filing bankruptcy and it has been years since the recalls were issued - why is there no remedy available to fix this? no dealership will address the issues, it in just an on going, never ending game. I want to know how I can fix my defective car before my wife, children, or myself are injured or killed due to the severity of this specific recall.

- North Wales, PA, USA

Car was off and parked in the giant (limerick, pa) parking lot. I put the key in the ignition, turned it, and nothing happened. Dash read "remove key." I had the vehicle towed to dealer. Steering lock mechanism went bad. Fuse 22 blew every time we put the key in the ignition. Had to replace part.

- Schwenksville, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300. While attempting to start the vehicle, the ignition failed without warning. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer (Mercedes-Benz of long beach, 2300 East spring street, signal hill, ca 90755) where it was diagnosed that the steering lock and column failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

- Seal Beach, CA, USA

Car will not start and steering column is locked. Power to the dashboard lights but no turnover. Local shop could not repair. Towed to Mercedes dealer. Likely looking at a ~$2,000 repair for eis related problem. Car only has ~90K. Purchases as cpo and bought extended warranty that has already run out.

- Somers, CT, USA

This 2009 C300 was purchased new from the Mercedes Benz dealership in jacksonville fl as a retirement gift for 20 years of naval service. About a year later I noticed the daytime running lights continuously blinking during the day. The next problem is with the front headlight units each time a blubs blows, it fuses everything including wires together requiring the replacement of the entire headlight unit. This has happen three times with both the left and right headlight units. The difference in price is $28 for a replacement blub vise $600 plus dollars for the entire unit. The dealership has no problem charging me the cost to replace a manufactures defect and safety issue. There should be an immediate recall of this unit.

- Lawrenceville, GA, USA

I went to work and my vehicle was just fine. I left for lunch break stopped at the groccery store and went home which is just a few miles away. I parked my vehicle went inside to drop my groceries off and eat lunch and when it was time to return to work my car would not start! I was so pissed off! the steering wheel would not turn and the gears would not shift at all. I only have 30K miles on my car and one owner before me. I am the only driver and my car is in impeccable shape! I know it is not the battery because I just put a brandnew one in just 3 months ago. I do not understand why there has not been a recall for this issue because I see thousands of complaints about this repair so it is obviously a manufacturing issue. When I first bought my Benz I fell in love with the brand. I have always been a Audi/BMW girl but vowed I would never go back until this issue. Mercedes does not treat it's customers right so this will be my last Benz! recall this issue Benz!

- Wilmington, DE, USA

Sockets for the parking lights above the headlights melted. Knowing that something similar was addressed with the tail lights, seems to be related. The tail lights melted the carrier and the cables now the same is happening on the front of the car. I am not the only owner of mb C300 experiencing a issue. We are concerned that our cars can catch up on fire.

- Jersey City, NJ, USA

Unable to start the car. Able to operate lights and radio, but nothing else. There was no warning of an issue. Battery was good. Checked on line for problems with starting for this model and notified the dealer. Car was in the garage at the time. This could have occurred at any time. Unable to put the car in neutral or turn the steering wheel. Car ended up being towed to the dealer. They replaced the electronic steering lock. This is not the type of issue that you want to happen to you when you are away from home.

- Hockessin, DE, USA

Els/eis sysytem. My 2009 C300's ignition/steering locked up. Neither key will work. Car completely shut down. Have found 100's of the exact same faulty equipment complaints regarding this issue online. ( ). this just one of many complaint sites listing the same problem. I had to have the car towed to my local repair facility. They informed that (only) Mercedes dealers can repair the problem because of the "codes" required & that Mercedes will not release these codes and/or will not supply the replacement parts to "other" garages. I (now) have to have the car towed again to Mercedes Benz. Costs range (across usa), from $1,100 up to $3,300.. the car was parked and there was no "prior" warning displayed on the "instrument panel" warning system.. with all these exact same complaints, regarding this extremely expensive repair is apparent that this is a "faulty" system and why the NHTSA has not issued a "recall" is beyond comprehension. Consumers deserve better when purchasing an auto of such "supposed" quality.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes Benz C300. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, it failed to start. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 72,076. The VIN was not available.

- Durham, NC, USA

Common and known issue with M Benz C300 eis/els/steering column. Car engine just dies and will not start due to electrical component malfunction. An expensive, possibly dangerous problem that has not been recognized by Mercedes-Benz it appears from the other comments on this forum and others. My 2009 C300 was running fine. I maintain regular service. Stopped to grab lunch. Fortunately, I was not in motion or in a dangerous area or in the middle of night in the middle of nowhere. The car would not re-start, yet the lights, radio, panel all appeared to be working, although "remove key from ignition" message appeared. Thought it could be a battery or alternator issue. Had to have car towed to 2 different places, the last of which was the mbenz dealership over an hour away. This occurred at 80K miles on odometer. A major safety and possibly dangerous situation. I thought the mb brand was about reliability, quality, safety. So disappointed. Manufacturer's defective product.

- Southern Pines, NC, USA

The car will not start, from stationary. It was parked there 10 minutes ago. Towed to the dealership and was told it has a bad esl (electronic steering lock). The repair bill over $1300. The issue has been widely reported and seems to be a manufacturing defect. Mercedes Benz should cover this cost.

- Schaumburg, IL, USA

Went to get in my car to go home. Once I put my key in the ignition and turn it, nothing happens. The steering wheel remains locked, and the car will not start. I can hear the steering lock click, but not unlock the steering wheel as soon as I put my key in the ignition.

- Bradenton, FL, 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

Esi and key went out and car only has a bit over 100,000 miles; locks steering and shifter.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

I bought my Mercedes Benz and notice that my tail light and the light on the front of the car will turn on by itself while my car was parked in the morning my car battery will be dead needing a charge. I had a recall from Mercedes Benz dealer and I took the car to the dealership and supposedly they fix it and the car had gotten worse. It had burned the harnesses and fog harness, while I was driving the car was acting like shutting off the radio and ac will start shutting off and turning on at the same time while I was on the highway on my way home from work. Right now my car only have working the high beam. I been getting a lot of recalls for this car but really it seems like I'm loosing my time.

- Reading, PA, USA