My car will no longer start. Although the lights and radio still work, the windows and ac don't, and the car won't start, nor can I change the gear. It seems to be a problem with the steering column/ eis. I now have to take it into the Benz dealership and pay a hefty amount to get it fixed, since no other mechanic can seem to do it. This seems to be a common problem with the 2009 C300 yet there's not a recall on it. Go figure.

- Bonney Lake, WA, USA

I have a 2009 Mercedes Benz C300 4matic, my vehicle was just serviced one month ago for 2 recalls. Airbag/tail lights. After my vehicle is serviced I ask the mb tech regarding the eis switch - which starts the vehicle. I was concerned this may happen to my vehicle and for him to inspect the element. Technician said I am all set, and now my vehicle is stranded just picked up by a flatbed to my local mechanic. I called mb the issue I was having and I told them the situation. The tech from shrewsbury mb will get back to me on Monday. Today is Saturday 09/24/16.

- Gardner, MA, USA

Taraka recall. Smart key not being recognized, vehicle dead need tow truck to dealer very expensive, had battery but all dead cost $1600 plus on a 72000 mile vehicle.also front sway stabilizer bar need total replacing (dealer part only) since its making noise. Bushings cannot be changed like others the whole bar needs to be purchase at dealer with bushing vulcanized to it. On the smart key the vehicle was stationary thank god

- Coral Gables, FL, USA

The electronic steering lock suddenly failed making it impossible to start the car. This is a very common problem with Mercedes of this era, this happens without warning, and Mercedes is aware of the problem, but charges approx. $1,200 to replace the lock. This leaves motorists stranded.

- Denton, TX, USA

With the vehicle parked, the car won't start, battery and lights work fine, when turning key the engine does not turn over. The steering wheel is locked and it won't shift into neutral. Sounds like the same eis problem that so many others have.

- Ny, NY, USA

With the vehicle parked, the car won't start, battery and lights work fine, when turning key the engine does not turn over. When inserting the key it doesn't make the locking sound it usually makes. The steering wheel is locked and it won't shift into neutral. Sounds like the same eis problem that so many others have ran into.

- Tacoma, WA, USA

In stationary position in a parking lot steer wheel locks up when parked with wheels forward / turning key to start engine does not work

- Riverside, CA, USA

My Mercedes was hit in the front in December and after partial repairs were done, we picked up the car and on 2nd day of having it, it would not start. Thought it was battery but of course it wasn't. hooked up to our scanner and all kinds of codes were displayed so we had to have it towed back to where repairs were done and they determined it was esl module and their opinion it was caused by accident. $2700 later out of my own pocket we have car back and fixed. So who is responsible for this, not us. I believe that Mercedes should take care of their customers and the other insurance should pay for this also. I see that a lot of people are having the same issue with this but mine I believe was caused by accident.

- Porter, TX, 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

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. 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. If I would have been stuck on the side of the highway with children that's a safety risk and I believe Mercedes should recall this particular issue and be loyal to its customers.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

Went to start my car yesterday morning and would not start. Very odd message on the display I had not seen before like "remove key from ignition". steering wheel locked but some lights worked and new battery replace last week. Towed it to "granny's garage" who told me only the dealer can repair this. Now being towed to dealer in santa barbara. Sounds exactly what other 2009 C300 owners have stated esp/eis failure. I will know tomorrow. This is such a well documented and consistent problem with the 2009 C300 and Mercedes really should take care of their customers and recall. Perfect for a class action lawsuit, in my opinion., especially since the "dealer" is the only one allowed to repair.

- Santa Barbara, CA, USA

"takata recall" I was driving to work around 10:30 am in my 2009 Mercedes Benz C300 enjoying the commute. As I approached the stop light.....blank!!!! I lastly remember breaking....to open my watering eyes to see that I hit another vehicle and don't recall anything at all. As I get up in realized that my head hurts and there was a small tear in the steering wheel as a small portion of the bag deployed but not fully.. it appeared to be a faulty bag that has caused this serious inconvenience.

- New Orleans, LA, USA

My M.B. 2009 has only 52690 miles, rarely driving. On May 28th, 2016, my wife drove the car to see her cousin, when got out at 10:00pm, car was not starting, battery was ok, light on, radio on, windows not on. Needed to wait until Monday morning, towed to dealer: Eis steering lock failed, cost $1121.88 for the eis. Service consultant advised many M.B has the same failure. Go to NHTSA, saw a lot of complaint with the same problem. Please investigate the incident and issue a recall with M.B., it's very unsafe for driving because it can happened any time, mostly night time with a female driver. Only M.B. can repair the eis and it's very expensive.

- Glendale, CA, USA

When I've got to the car, put the key in the ignition, and turn the key with no crank noise in the engine. After a lot of tries I had noticed that my steering was not unlocking, windows don't work no lights on like ABS, check engine or all the lights that come on with the key on the on position, and that the car would not shift in neutral. After trying to jump the car and rearming/disarming the alarm I checked on line and found out that a lot of people have the same problem with their Mercedes. Here is what I experienced 1.put key into ignition, steering wheel doesn't unlock. 2.instument cluster displays "remove key from ignition". 3.turn key to accessory, no lights on dashboard, only the radio works, windows don't work. 4.turn key all the way to start car, nothing happens.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

The car was running fine. It was parked and shut off. When I returned, the car would not start. It was not the battery. The steering would not unlock. The car had to be towed in for repair. The dealer had to make the repair as it was an issue with either the eis or a starter issue. Inskip Mercedes can identify exactly what was wrong as they did the repair.

- Johnston, RI, USA

The car would not start, the electrical component of the steering wheal malfunctioned, only mbz has the part cost $1900 to replace the electrical part. Dealer told me common issue its just matter of time for the part to fail.

- Canoga Park, CA, USA

Ignition switch - tried to start the car and it would not turn battery was fine and all interior lights and electrical systems appeared to be fine. Had to have the car towed to the dealership where it was found to be a faulty ignition switch. This should be recalled for safety reasons.

- Columbia, SC, USA

When leaving to catch a flight I entered my garage and unlocked my car lights came on my day was going normal. When I went to start my vehicle it would not start. It said to remove my key from the ignition. My car wouldn't start. My husband and I contacted Mercedes Benz of henderson and they had my vehicle towed to their shop. I had purchased an extended warranty with my vehicle so I was sure I would be ok. On Monday I received and call from Mercedes Benz of henderson stating that the ignition lock module needed to be replaced and it wouldn't be covered by the warranty I purchased. Since I am not a mechanic I asked what the ignition lock module was and found out it was the computer that reads my key and prevents theft. Basically the computer failed and thinks that my car is stolen. The cost to repair this is over $1,000. This is completely unfair. Mercedes cars are not cheap not to mention paying more a month to have additional warranty coverage. I am appalled that Mercedes has not done a recall on their vehicles for this issue. This is a huge safety risk for those who are traveling especially for those like myself a women traveling alone. Thank god this happened at home and not in the middle of the desert as I travel back to California often I think it is outrageous to ask customers to pay for a default/glitch in a vehicles computer. I have contacted Mercedes Benz usa to get help with this issue as there are hundreds of their customers like myself who have had and are having this same issue with the 2009 C300.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

Steering lock ignition assembly. There were no signs or indications that something like this was going to occur. Thankfully I reached my destination, backed up in my yard and parked. I aproached my vehicle because I wanted to fill up for the remainder of the week, I unlocked my door, placed my key in the ignition switch, and nothing happened. The radio worked and also the interior lights. I took the key out and went to use the spare key, inserted it and while the door was opened the display told me to remove the key. This could present a very dangerous situation for a female with children in an unfamiliar setting. After reading up about the problem I see that I am not alone in my troubles. I think this malfunction should included in a recall because of the safety risks involved because it could occur at any time. Thankfully I was at home.

- Calera, AL, USA