2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Steering

Vehicle has lost its ability to be driven. Car alarm has gone of a multitude of times at different hours of day and night. Finally we were told that the steering column needs to be replaced. According to tow truck driver, Auto lock person, this is common from the 300 series of Mercedes Benz. Obviously very costly. My car is worthless at this point. I believe that the Mercedes Benz should have a recall on the steering column lock. Obviously, this is not only a defect but, also causing safety issues with it just turning off and not able to restart.

The problem is that the steering wheel locking mechanism has failed. The vehicle could not be started or driven. It required a flatbed tow to an authorized Mercedes repair facility. It was diagnosed as the steering mechanism, requiring replacement. The cost for this repair is $1400.00. I researched this problem on the MB website and it stated that this issue was common. I feel that this is a safety issue and should be repaired free of charge or at a significant discount. The car is currently being repaired, and I can forward any relevant documentation to you once the repair is complete.

Steering Wheel locked due to ESL Module's motor failure making the car won't turn on, not drivable. Stuck, stranded.

2009 C300 at 120k miles car won’t start. Dashboard indicates “remove key from ignition” key was not in ignition, had car towed to the dealership, they said car needs a new steering lock and ignition switch due to malfunction. Total cost $1923. Thankfully car was not in motion when this happened. Please do a recall on steering lock and ignition switch for the safety of everyone!!!!

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? One day my car did not crank or start. Had it towed to dealer and they seemed to be familiar with everything they needed to order to fix it without blinking. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? As much as not being able to drive your car Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, See attached invoice Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No

THE CAR WAS STATIONARY. IGNITION SWITCH LOCKS THE CAR DOES NOT START AND THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD DOES NOT COME ON, IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR SEVERAL YEARS UNTIL IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE, IT WONT START AT ALL HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO MERCEDES

PULLED INTO PARKING SPACE AND LOCKED CAR. 'THE CAR WAS IN A STATIONARY POSITION IN A PARKING LOT.' DID SHOPPING 1/2 HOUR. WHEN I CAME BACK THE CAR DID UNLOCK, BUT WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO START IT, THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN TO START THE CAR. I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE GEAR SHIFT, UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, NO RADIO, THE CAR WAS TOTALLY LOCKED AND SHUT DOWN. I CONTACTED MY MERCEDES CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND HE HAD A TOW COMPANY COME TO RETRIEVE MY CAR. WHEN THE TOW GOT THERE, THE WHEELS WERE TURNED TO THE LEFT AS I HAD PULLED INTO THE PARKING SPACE AND THEY WERE STILL TURNED FROM PULLING INTO THE SPACE TO THE LEFT. IT TOOK THEM OVER AN HOUR TO LOAD THE CAR ON THEIR TRUCK BECAUSE THE WHEELS WERE LOCKED IN A TURN POSITION. THEY TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HE REALIZED THE CAR WAS IN A STEERING LOCK. HE "REMOVED AND REPLACED -ALL." THE INVOICE STATES REPLACED "STEERING LOCK" [XXX] I WILL HAVE A COPY OF THE INVOICE FAXED TO YOU BY UPS. I DON'T KNOW HOW TO FAX. THERE WAS VIRTUALLY NO REASON FOR THE CAR TO LOCK AS IT DID. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF AN ISSUE WHILE DRIVING THE CAR UNTIL I ATTEMPTED TO START IT AND IT WAS COMPLETELY LOCKED. HAD THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING, I AM CERTAIN IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE IGNITION OR THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROL LOCK FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HOY FAMILY AUTO (1122 AIRWAY BLVD, EL PASO, TX 79925, (915) 706-2200) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROL MECHANISM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,169. *PM CONSUMER STATED OIL CHANGE WAS DONE 1,000 MILES PRIOR TO FAILURE.*JB

STEERING WHEEL STUCK IN LOCKED POSITION. CAR WILL NOT START. LOTS OF RESEARCH ON THE ISSUE HAS SHOWN MANY PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THIS ISSUES HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY. MANY TIMES AT NIGHT WHEN I AM GETTING OFF WORK.

THE CAR STOPPED ON ME WHILE I WAS DRIVING PN THE HIGHWAY, BECAUSE OF FAULTY ESL UNIT. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND IT US VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH ALL MERCERDES W204.

ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK FAILED TO OPERATE AND UNABLE TO START VEHICLE. COMMON PROBLEM WITH W204 CHASSIS AND PERHAPS A SAFETY ISSUE IF VEHICLE FAILS TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED.STATIONARY WHEN FAILED, HAD TO TOW HOME TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR. THEFT SENSITIVE DEVICE SO PARTS CAN'T BE ORDERED FROM OTHER THAN DEALER.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 66,700. *TT *JS

ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK(ESL) UNIT FAILS TO UNLOCK STEERING WHEEL FROM A PARKED, OFF POSITION, CAR WILL NOT TRY TO START AND STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED. CAR MUST BE TOWED FOR REPAIR. HAD TO REPLACE THE ESL AND HAVE IT RECODED TO WORK WITH THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION SWITCH.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF WESLEY CHAPEL (2383 WILLOW OAK DR, WESLEY CHAPEL, FL) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING LOCK ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,425. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED IN PLACE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,808.

THE VEHICLE FAILS TO START. WHEN THE KEY FOB IS PLACED IN THE IGNITION STATES TO REMOVE THE KEY FOB. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE CAR IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK WHICH SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE AS MANY OTHERS IN THE MBUSA FORUM ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITHOUT ANY ASSISTANCE FROM MB. AS I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK ON AUGUST 25,2017 I STOPPED AT WALGREEN'S TO MAKE A PURCHASE. WHEN I GOT BACK TO THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR IT WOULD NOT START. I THEN TRIED JUMPING THE VEHICLE FROM ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH NO LUCK. THE CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO INITIALLY STATED THAT THE CAR WAS NOT RECOGNIZING THE KEY FOB. THEY THEN IN TURN STATED THAT NO THE CAR'S STEERING COLUMN LOCK IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I THEN RESEARCHED THE WEB AND NOTICED THAT THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE IN WHICH THERE HAS BEEN MANY NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS. MY CAR IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT THEY WILL NOT COVER THIS ITEM AS THEY ARE ONLY COVERING THE POWERTRAIN.

THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK IN MY 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300 IS NOT UNLOCKING WHEN I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE CAR WILL NOT START. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN THE PAST 2 MONTHS. AFTER THE FIRST TWO INCIDENTS, THE WHEEL DID EVENTUALLY UNLOCK. I TOOK IT TO MY REPAIRMAN WHO ADVISED I GET A NEW KEY FROM MB AS THAT MIGHT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. GOT A NEW KEY LAST WEEK FOR $330. TODAY - 10 DAYS LATER - THE STEERING WHEEL AGAIN WILL NOT UNLOCK. LOOKING ON THE INTERNET, THIS IS A VERY COMMON AND WELL-DOCUMENTED PROBLEM WITH MB VEHICLES OVER MANY YEARS. MB SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS AND FIX THE PROBLEM, AND AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER! AT PRESENT, THEY ARE GOUGING CUSTOMERS ANYWHERE FROM $1200-2200 TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT EVERY MECHANIC AND COLLISION PERSON IN MY NEIGHBOTHOOD KNOWS TO EXIST. THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO DON'T SEEM TO KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM ARE THE PEOPLE AT THE MB DEALERSHIPS, WHO OBVIOUSLY WANT THE REPAIR BUSINESS. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS WHEEL LOCK PROBLEM HAS OCCURED WHILE PEOPLE ARE DRIVING. MY CAR WAS STATIONARY EVERY TIME THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED, PARKED IN A GARAGE WITH NO INCLINE AT ALL. I URGE YOU TO ORDER MERCEDES BENZ TO RECALL THIS PART AND TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM ASAP.

AFTER PARKING CAR AT WORK WHEN I WENT TO STAR VEHICLE IT WILL NIT START OR TURN OVER.THE CAR IS UNDER 80K MILES THIS IS UNACCEPTABLY DISTURBING FOR THISNPROBLEM TO OCCUR WHEN I ONLY DRIVE TO WORK AND HOME DMH THERE SHOULD BE A DISCOUNT FOR THUS ISSUE.

I HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME ISSUES LIKE OTHER MERCEDES BENZ OWNERS. MY CAR SUDDENLY NOT STARTING AND THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT UNLOCK. I CALLED AAA, THEY SENT OUT A BATTERY TRUCK. THE GUY TRIED TO JUMP IT AND IT DID NOTHING. THEN THEY TOWED IT TO THE MB DEALER. THEY CALLED ME THIS MORNING AFTER THEY TESTED IT AND SAID THE ELECTRIC STEERING LOCK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER CHARGED ME $1212. I AM REALLY FRUSTRATED.

POWER STEERING LEAKS AT 60,000 MILES. DEALER SAYS THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PINION. IT WILL COST $2,500 TO REPAIR.

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A FAULTY STEERING LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,348.

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 $987.00 AND ONLY MERCEDES CAN WORK ON THE STEERING DUE TO SECURITY ISSUES. VERY UNFAIR. EXPECTED MORE FROM MERCEDES. THEY NEED TO RECALL OR REIMBURSE.

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ C350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL MECHANISM LOCKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.