Parked my car overnight and went to start it in the morning and would not start. The key would turn but got no lights on the dash and radio would not work. The steering wheel did not unlock. Tried to jump it but same results. Battery tested fine, checked all the fuses and they were all good. After researching on the internet the steering lock failed. This seems to be a more than frequent issue with this car. This happened out of the blue without any indication that something was going wrong. I'm glad I was home and not hundreds of miles away. Why is there not a recall?

- San Antonio, TX, USA

Steering wheel got locked when the car was in motion. Luckily, I was driving off the highway approx. 10 mph. Tariffing experience!!!

- Glen Gardner, NJ, USA

Drove my C300 to work in the morning. Went to leave a few hours later and the car will not start. Radio, alarm, dash and lock/unlock all work but you can not hear the steering lock disengage when you put the key in. From what I have seen this is a very common problem and Mercedes has done absolutely nothing to fix it. I have only owned this vehicle for 6 months. Is this what we have to look forward to after buying a Mercedes Benz?

- Hope Mills, NC, 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

I turned the key and nothing happened. The car would not start. Lights worked. I called roadside assistance to have it jump started, did not work. I then had it towed and was told by the service department at a certified Mercedes dealer that it is a known defect called electronic steering lock eis/esl also referred to as technical services bulletin LI80-57-P051521. Total cost: $1250 this is my car's 3rd known defect: 1) rear tail lights would catch fire and fail (finally recalled by mb and repaired) 2) command knob for satellite radio and gps failed and now 3) eis/esl defect.

- Rockville, MD, USA

Went to start my car. Tried jumping it off thinking it was the battery checked all the fuses. Spent $70 to have towed to my mechanic. Come to find out it is the eis switch and Mercedes will not sell him the parts to fix only Mercedes can fix. My guy said he could fix for $700, Mercedes dealership said over $1000. Come to find out this is a common problem. As my car was at my mechanic shop another Mercedes came in with the same problem ( unbelievable ). Mercedes takes pride in the vehicles yet with a common problem they will not fix for free ( should be a recall on this problem ) this will be my last Mercedes I own. Audi will be my next car. Very disappointed in Mercedes.

- Rip Off, GA, USA

A known issue with Mercedes Benz C300 card model year 2008 and up. The steering ignition switch fails. This is a dealer fix only and costs approximately $1500-$2000 dollars. When you go to start your car nothing comes on, no lights no nothing. The car is basically disabled and you have to have it towed to the dealership.

- Live Oak, CA, USA

Went to store and when I returned to the car, the trunk released normally and doors unlocked normally with the key fob. Inserted the key into ignition switch. Able to turn key, but car would not start. Tried locking and unlocking door which worked again. Waited another minute and car still would not start. Tried moving steering wheel, but it was locked and could not take car out of park, but made sure it was all the way into park. Tried to start car again, this time I heard what sounded like a relay clicking from under the dash, but still no start. After another minute, I tried again and this time it started. I cautiously drove home and parked afraid to drive the car any longer as the ignition switch also controls the steering lock and there exist the possibility of the steering becoming locked while the car is in motion, as several others have posted as happening to them. A major safety issue exist since the steering could lock while the car is in motion and Mercedes Benz should be required to recall this vehicle to repair this before someone is seriously hurt or killed.

- Orange Park, FL, USA

Inserted key into ignition switch. Able to turn key. But no ignition lights come on in any position of the key. Does not start. Problem appears to be intermittent, as after several tries it may function correctly with incremental ignition on settings and then starting. As this ignition switch also controls the steering lock, there exists the possibility of the steering becoming looked while the vehicle is in motion. Hence, a major safety issue exists! should steering become locked while vehicle is in motion (at any speed) the consequences are extremely dangerous!.

- San Diego, CA, USA

Common issue on this model and year. Electrical ignition system / electrical steering lock unit and it's not somehow a recall.

- Windermere , FL, USA

Yet another person with a electronic steering lock issue. I tried to leave work for lunch but was met with that issue. I had to have aaa tow me to the Mercedes dealership where they want 1200 to fix the problem....how are so many of us experiencing this issue but Mercedes isn't doing anything to fix it!

- Tampa, FL, USA

Car would not start. Had to be towed to dealer. Repair cost 1150 dollars. One week without car.

- Wallingford, CT, USA

I went to start up my car in the morning and the key would turn but would not start the engine. I kept on getting a reading to remove my key. It turns out that the steering column mechanism has frozen up. I had the car towed to the dealership and they want to charge $1,500 to get the issue repaired. From what I have researched this is a very common problem with the model and year of Mercedes. I originally thought my key needed to be reprogrammed.

- Pomona, CA, USA

I had an issue with my car 5 months ago due to the car would not turn on. Mercedes told me it was the key and I needed to purchase a second key. In the mean time, I was waiting for the new key my old key was able to get my car start. As time went by, the same issue happen several times causing me to lose work and leaving me in the middle of no ware. Friday November 7 2014 was the last incident and I did not get home until 5 am waiting to a service truck to pick up my car. This time the ignition switch it's not working with none of the keys. I had to call a my insurance to pick up the car for the second time and take it to a certified dealer to replace the ignition key and staring wheel due to its lock.

- Little Rock, AR, USA

I have own a Mercedes Benz C300 for almost five years and had some problems but not major until recently. I when to lunch with my wife and daughter after coming back into the car we ended up being stranded for several hours waiting for an emergency roadside service to find out what the problem was. We initially thought that we run out of gas since my tank was low, so I order gas from aaa road assistance and also jump star the car thinking of a battery problem but neither solve the problem. We had no choice but to tow the car to downtown los angeles, ca Mercedes dealership. The next day the service consultant call me and send me an email that the problem was the electronic steering lock and this is the cost to repair it $1385.84. I was shocked because I take care of my car very well, I never expected to have such a costly repair. I research the problem and found out that many people have the same problem. This is something that Mercedes Benz should look into and treat it as a recall and not as a wear and tear problem.

- Montebello , CA, USA

This morning, car would not start, message on dashboard to go to the dealer, took the key in & out and, after multiple tries, the car started but transmission would not work (stayed on park), took the key in & out and finally was able to drive to the dealer, steering lock problem, the part only is 1 400 $ !!! problem known by Mercedes but they never did anything about it ! dealer not helpful at all.

- Hartford, CT, USA

I was turning on my Mercedes Benz C300 2009, when it suddenly stated take your ignition, therefore I made a phone call to Mercedes Benz roadside assistance. Once the technician arrived he clearly stated it was the steering however he states they do not have any warning signs. I am very confused because 09 C300 did not have any prior warnings, it always tells me everything on the screen. This repair is around 1000 and the vehicle has been in a recall but the dealership I purchased it from is from Chevrolet and they do not accept froing vehicles. I truly believe consumers should not have to pay for something it does not warn you for, specially since you are purchasing a german car not american.

- Houston, TX, USA

The steering lock on Mercedes Benz 2009 C300 malfunctions, making car inoperable. Danger if occurs while driving. Known problem and known issue reported multiple times. Manufacture defect known to manufacturer and not addressed according to NHTSA - dot standards. Standards not known to be enforced at this time. Costs to replace/repair is approximately $1,180. Be advised: It is extremely important that owners of a Mercedes Benz 2009 C300 have this work completed prior to the steering lock malfunctioning. If not done so, it is a safety hazard to the driver and others on the road.

- Miami Beach, FL, USA

2009 Mercedes Benz C300 needs replacement of the electric steering lock (code 6180.57-P-051521), no warning lights appeared car would not turn on.

- Modesto, CA, USA

I went out to my car this morning to drive to work and my car would not start. The lights came on I could lock and unlock my car however when I put the key in, it turn all the way but it would not crank. I call Mercedes Benz 24 hour roadside assistance and they confirmed that my battery was not the problem. The technician even told me he noticed that this happened to other owners and they did not know why it was happening without warning. This is so unacceptable.

- San Antonio, TX, USA