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

On 21 Oct 16 I went out of town and shopping at a local mall while there. I came out of the mall and the car would not start. I could read the time, see the mileage, and temperature on the gauge; however, the car refused to start. Aaa came and thought it was the battery but that was not the case. After 3 hours of sitting in a parking lot in atlanta a tow truck arrived. The car would not go into neutral so I had to wait another 2 hours for another type of truck. The car was towed to a local mechanic who diagnosed it as steering lock issue. I asked that the car be towed to a local Mercedes Benz dealership and have a diagnostic completed again. Mercedes Benz of marietta "claimed" to have done a diagnostic but found nothing. I asked for a copy of the diagnostic Mercedes Benz of marietta had run and they were not able to assist. See attached email. To-date, Mercedes Benz has been nonresponsive to the steering lock issue with this year/model car; despite knowledge this issue has been going on repeatedly. Marty, at my local Mercedes Benz dealership states they have to replace a steering lock at least once a month with repair cost ranging from $1200-$1700 per car. This will be my first and last Mercedes and because of their poor customer service and lack of responsiveness to this issue I could not even refer friends/family to them.

- Crestview, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the steering was locked. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was determined that there were no failures with the vehicle. The manufacturer stated that there were no recalls related to the steering lock issue. The failure mileage was 141,000.

- Crestview, 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

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

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

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

Takata recall.. my air bag light remains on and I fear that they are not working. Also, my car will not restart after stopping at a store. In reading the comments in a recent forum, I am not the only Mercedes Benz owner having this problem. Based on the comments the issue is with the steering column (eis/els) and it is a manufacturing defect. The dealer also verified that this is a common problem with Mercedes and the cost to repair it is $2100 upward.

- Upper Marlboro, MD, 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

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

Car wouldn't start. Power and battery was fine. Googled symptoms and watched a youtube video on a failed electronic steering wheel lock. Jiggled the steering wheel a few times, tapped the top and bottom of the steering wheel a few times, turned the key and it started. Apparently, this unlocks the electronic steering wheel. This is a safety issue because this can leave a person stranded in dangerous places or it could leave you stranded in an emergency situation.

- Honolulu, HI, 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. Very late at night leaving work-put key in -car is totally dead- no click heard when I put in the key. Had to have it towed. Turned out to be ignition control switch. This has happened to so many other owners. Should be a recall. Repair cost was $987 and only Mercedes can work on the steering due to security issues. Very unfair. Expected more from Mercedes. They need to recall or reimburse.

- Little Rock, AR, 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

My car was parked and I try to started and would not start no ignition no power the steering tower would not move. Check the battery and it was fully charged try to put the car into neutral and I could not the steering well was lock.

- Yakima, WA, USA