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

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