My vehicle went completely out of service and was unable to start due to a faulty electronic steering lock (esl). My vehicle only has 69,000 miles on it and this seems to be an issue with plenty of other C-class Mercedes Benz owners who have encountered the same issue. Mercedes Benz is failing to take responsibility while also my exteneded warranty that I paid $2000 for has also said they will not cover this. I highly recommend not ever buying an extended warranty from privilege protection care. They place generic terms in parts of what they cover and if the dealer or shop has a specific name for your part, although it is the product or part of the same part that needs to be replaced, they will honor the warranty. Also their customer service was rude and not very helpful at all.

- Austin, TX, USA

I had just stopped to put gas in the vehicle and upon completion I got back in the car to start it. When I turned the key, the car wouldn't start. I had headlights and my dashboard was partially lit up, but nothing else would work. I then called the mb road side assistance and a technician came out and determined it was not a battery or starter problem. The technician said that it was probably the eis since he had seen the same situation before. An hour later the car was towed to the dealership, and dropped off with much trouble since the steering column didn't function. Several days later I got a call from my service consultant, informing me that the car needed the ignition starter switch as well as the eis unit and two new keys needed to be programmed. The total was $2500. In the meantime, I found a tsb number 2008020003, dated March 1, 2008, documenting the exact problem I was having. It appears that it was a know problem even back in 2008. My car is in excellent condition and it has only 32,260 miles. Why didn't this become a recall? I also feel like I was robbed on the cost of the repairs. I'll never trust this car again and I'm not buying another Mercedes.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

I have a C350 sport, I went to start the car and the car didn't start. The lights came on, navigation came up, but it would not start. It seemed as if the car did not recognize the key; as the displayed message was "take key from ignition". the following day I paid someone to come out and look at the car, and it started right up. Battery tested normal and I thought it was a close call. Then I left to run errands and it wouldn't start and never started again. After paying $160 for the tow to the dealership; I was told if I did not have 2 keys then they can't test it. So after ordering a second key at $375; I found out it wasn't the key! if this car has so much technology in it, why can't you test the eis with a diagnostic computer, without blowing money on a $375 dollar key? after that failure I was told it was the electronic ignition switch. I have a 15 year old Toyota Camry and the [xxx] thing has never had 1 issue. I buy this car and at 89,000 miles the eis goes out. Poorly made and highly disappointed. The total cost for this joke was $1,780 and I didn't even get the oil changed! I think they do this to get more money, they should recall the eis and els in all Mercedes that are having similar issues and not make the customer pay. It makes me not want to be a customer anymore because of this and their lack of wanting to take responsibility for their failure. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

I was driving and all of a sudden I heard a snap, as soon I try to pull over my steering wheel becomes very stiff, very hard to turn. Had to turn the car off and call for a tow truck. When I open the hood it smell like something burnt and I saw the belt in pieces. I spoke to my mechanic and he confirmed it was the belt and the idle pulley. Very dangerous situation and alot of C class cars are having this same issue. Hopefully Mercedes Benz can fix this before a tragedy happens.

- Astoria, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes Benz C350. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed that the steering lock system and the electronic ignition system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000.

- Orlando , FL, USA

Unable to start vehicle. Key turns but no crank. Service tech was able to release / unlock the steering wheel by violently shaking the steering wheel from left to right as if he was trying to break it. Something did release and he was then able to start the vehicle. Brought the car directly to dealership and I was quoted $1018 for the steering wheel lock. Looks like this is a well documented issue and it's an ongoing issue w/ Mercedes.

- Yorba Linda, CA, USA

I went to start up my car, but when I inserted the key and turned it, the car did not start. Typically when I insert the key, there is a fast and strong sound that makes it seem like the car is locking in the key. This time, the sound was incredibly slow and weak, a sound that caused me to immediately know it was broken. Power was running through the car just fine though, but I was still stranded. I had the car towed to the dealer, and they said the electronic ignition switch (eis) and electronic steering lock (esl) had to be replaced.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

I have a 2008 C350 with 81,300 miles. I drove the car home from school Thursday parked it in my parking garage went out this morning and it wouldn't start. The key locks and unlocks the doors the lights come on and the dash lights up. You can insert and turn the key but the car will not start. The steering wheel is locked and the drive is locked in park. I tried jumping and it did nothing I didn't think the battery was bad but went and had it checked anyways. The battery being changed. I check the fuses that are associated with the starter and they seem to be ok. I'm not sure what to do next and not excited about having it towed to the dealership. Any information would be helpful.

- Wylie, TX, USA

In the C300 and C350 models, there has been an on-going issue with steering wheel locks. Mercedes Benz has done nothing to correct this or change the part that have been faulty, due to this problem this can leave an individual stranded with out any warning as it just happens out of no where. My vehicle is up to date on all it's maintenance, and out of no where it just wouldn't start and it wasn't the battery it was the steering wheel lock (part #2019005912). This is unacceptable as it's been a problem for many years ont eh C300 and C350 models.

- Apopka, FL, USA

Mercedes C350 2008 52,000 miles.car suddenly would not start. Lights worked, console screen came on, navigation screen popped up. It wasn't battery, not both car keys.cannot get out of park, steering wheel locked. Had to tow to nearest dealership 70 miles away. Bad steering wheel lock (icm)ignition control replacement cost $1500. Mechanic prior looked and tried ordering part. Wouldn't sell it to him because it was supposable a recalled part!? dealership said no recall or warranty, out of pocket. Then when informed repair done, I was told command control not working $500 to fix. I bought Mercedes because its suppose to be reliable.very disappointed. Going back to BMW according to mb blogs it is a common issue with 2088 C class. There's a bulletin notice on this issue also called eis !!

- El Centro, CA, USA