2008 Mercedes-Benz C 300 Steering Problems

On [XXX] the car refused to start due to the electronic steering lock failure. The car was towed to the nearest Mercedes Benz Dealer at Stevens Creek Blvd, San Jose CA 95129. An inspection was done and Mercedes Benz wanted $3457.66 to replace the Steering Lock. This item is a recall item in other years of the C300 Mercedes Benz. Google shows: Mercedes-Benz has issued a recall for the Mercedes- Benz C-Class models, including the C300, due to potential steering lock issues. The recall specifically affects 2015- 2016 C300 models, as well as other C-Class variations like the 2017-2019 C300 Cabrio and Coupe. The recall is due to a potential problem with the Electronic Steering Lock (ESL) module, which is responsible for locking and unlocking the steering wheel. A faulty ESL module can prevent the steering wheel from unlocking, causing the vehicle to be unable to start. We feel that the recall should also apply to the C300 2008 model as it is exactly the same issue and completely incapacitates the car and is a danger to the public as involves the electronic steering. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11661643

Incident

Apr 21, 2025

The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. The contact stated that a message to remove the ignition key was displayed. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact stated that later, while starting the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start as intended. In addition, the contact stated the steering wheel had seized. The contact inspected the battery and determined there was no failure with the battery. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was requested to pay a diagnostic fee and declined. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA ID

11653742

Incident

Apr 8, 2025

Mileage

90,000 mi

ESL failed suddenly. This appears to be a common problem with C300 MB. As such it should be part and f a recall as the expense to replace is over $2000.

NHTSA ID

11629937

Incident

Dec 7, 2024

Car worked fine, all the sudden it wouldn't turn over, I would put the key in and turn it and nothing would happen, I was stuck and had to catch a ride, lucky that I was able, a car company that is supposedly reliable shouldn't allow there cars to completely give out on people during the middle of winter storms and not take ownership, when the customer has taken good care of the car. Talked to several mechanics and turned out it was the Electronic Steering Lock (ESL) module that had malfunctioned probably due to the software and electrical. Due to this only the Benz dealerships can repair, I had to tow it to a dealership and was charged around $2000 after haggling over the price. Terrible experience and should be recalled by MB, I have seen many complaints about this online and was very disappointed there wasn't a cheaper solution. Was both a safety issue, inconvenient and very costly.

NHTSA ID

11553957

Incident

Nov 7, 2023

After repair done on the confirmed recall airbag computer/module my vehicle became immobile, malfuctioned. The vehicle warning lamps alerted the airbag malfunctioned, srs malfunction. I seeked service for repair of this recall by experts. This safety issue is still ongoing and urgency is needed for this to be resolved.

NHTSA ID

11489746

Incident

Aug 26, 2022

Pulled into parking space on side of street and turned off vehicle to pick up restaurant food. Returned to vehicle within 5 minutes, turned the key, and vehicle was dead. 93 year old mother was in car which was now stuck in parking space. We had to open the doors, due to vehicle windows not functioning, to try to prevent inside of car from overheating due to outside temperature. Called AAA, who arrived after about 45 minutes, tried to jump start car, indicated appeared battery was fine. Had to re-contact AAA to get car towed. Waited another 45 minutes for tow truck to arrive. Again checked battery and ignition, battery fine, car was locked in park and steering wheel was locked,. Towing technician had to lift up center console to reach underneath to switch to neutral. Technician had great difficulty getting car onto flatbed of tow truck because it kept slipping back into park. Adding to the difficulty was the location of the car in the parking space on the side of a busy street. Car was towed from Newport, RI to Tiverton, RI to Viti Mercedes dealer, who confirmed the problem. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. The final bill to repair this issue was $2,214.15. Upon review of other incidents that occurred with this make, model and year, there have been a myriad of accounts of this same issue going back many years. Based on the numerous incidents of this type and the potential safety devastation this could have caused, the $2,214.15 paid for repair in addition to $55 for towing should be reimbursed. This is a major safety issue that could be detrimental to the driver, occupants, towing company and other people around the disabled vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11471527

Incident

Jun 19, 2022

DROVE 4 BLOCKS AWAY FROM MY HOME TO THE STORE IN MERCED CA ON GST AND 20TH..WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR IT DIDN'T START AND MY STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED.AND I COULDN'T TAKE IT OUT OF PARK. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE TAIL LIGHTS A FEW TIMES THIS LAST MONTH. ## VIN PASSED ## MERCEDES-BENZ 2008 c300 ##

NHTSA ID

11416591

Incident

May 10, 2021

I TOOK MY CAR TO THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP FOR AN ALIGNMENT. IT IS A 2008 C300 SERIES. AFTER THEY CALLED AND SAID IT WAS DONE THEY SAID THAT THE ESL MECHANISM LOCKED UP IN THE CAR AND COMPLETELY FAILED. TO THIS POINT I HAVE NEVER HAD AN ISSUE WITH THIS CAR, AND I HAVE NEVER HAD IT FAIL. NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT IT JUST HAPPENS TO BE ONE OF THE WORST PARTS THAT THEY HAVE TO REPAIR NOTORIOUSLY IN THESE CARS. SO I CALLED TWO OTHER DEALERSHIPS OF THE SAME BUILD TWO OTHER MERCEDES DEALERSHIPS TOLD ME THE SAME THING. I LOOKED UP IN THE BLOG SYSTEM AND FOUND IN THE NATIONAL SAFETY RECORDS THAT NUMEROUS PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME COMPLAINT AND THEY HAVE ALL BEEN FILED. WHY ARE WE NOT STARTING A RECALL ON THIS BECAUSE TO GET MY CAR BACK WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE $167 IS NOW 1,267.00 THIS IS QUITE A JUMP FOR A CAR I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE WITH. THEY INSISTED THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO REPAIR IT AND AS LIKELY AS IT IS IT WAS BOUND TO HAPPEN AT ANY TIME. SO MY COMPLAINT IS WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO START A RECALL ON THIS ITEM. I HAVE A HARD TIME WITH ALL OF THE SAME PARTS GOING BAD AND DEALERSHIP PARTIES ALSO TELLING US THESE ARE BAD PARTS BUT I RECALL HAS NOT BEEN INITIATED. BUT OTHER ANCILLARY ISSUES HAVE BEEN RECALLED THAT ARE LITTLE TO NO IMPORTANCE HOWEVER THIS ONE AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT CAN LOCK UP YOUR STEERING WHEEL AND COULD POTENTIAL HE CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. IS WHAT TWO DEALERSHIPS TOLD ME OF COURSE THE ONE THAT I AM GETTING REPAIRED WOULD NOT ADMIT THAT. PLEASE HELP US GET A RECALL ON THIS WE ARE AT YOUR MERCY FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR FAMILIES DRIVING A MERCEDES-BENZ CAR.

NHTSA ID

11405026

Incident

Mar 25, 2021

Mileage

165,000 mi

STEPPED ON THE BRAKES AND THE CAR VEERED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT. VEHICLE FELT VERY UNSTABLE. WOULD OF BEEN HORRIBLE IF THE SURFACE WAS SNOW COVERED OR ICY. TOOK INTO A REPAIR FACILITY AND FOUND OUT THE REAR SUBFRAME HAS RUSTED TO THE POINT OF FAILURE. THE REAR TIRE COULD MOVE SEVERAL INCHES. SOMEBODY COULD BE KILLED OR SEVERELY INJURED.

NHTSA ID

11398791

Incident

Feb 26, 2021

Mileage

105,000 mi

THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND CAME BACK OUT AND IT WOULD NOT START. THE FRONT WHEELS WERE LOCKED. THE KEY WENT IN AND TURNED. THE LIGHTS AND POWER WAS THERE BUT, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE FRONT WHEELS WERE LOCKED AND SO WAS THE DRIVE SHIFTER. THE FIRST TIME THE CAR WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND MY WIFE WAS LEFT STRANDED. THE SECOND TIME WAS IN OUT DRIVEWAY. WE CAME HOME TO GET SOMETHING AND WHEN WE WENT OUT IT WOULDN'T START.

NHTSA ID

11398141

Incident

Feb 19, 2021

TOOK CAR IN FOR AIRBAG RECALL, WEEK LATER THE CAR WONT UNLOCK, HAD TO PAY $50 TO GET IN, WAS TOLD BATTERY HAD 12.4 AMPS, CAR WONT TURN OVER, ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS NOT ENGAGING, ALARM GOES OFF, REPLACED BATTERY $160CHECKED FUSES AND BOUGHT $25, NOTHING NOW HAVING TO TOW BACK TO MERCEDES BENZ OF CHANDLER THAT DID MY "RECALLS" OUT OF POCKET. THE RECALL SERVICE MESSED IT UP. THE EXACT THING AS IN COMPLAINT 212.

NHTSA ID

11320097

Incident

Apr 1, 2020

Mileage

124,000 mi

ELECTRICAL FAULT IN 2008 C300 MERCEDES IN FRONT SAM MODULE HAS WATER INTRUSION FROM WINDSHIELD WATER DRAIN NEXT TO DRIVER SIDE FUSE PANEL/ SAM. WATER INTRUSION CAUSED CUSTOMERS VEHICLE TO DIE WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSED ESL STEERING LOCK TO LOCK STEERING COLUMN AND IGNITION KEY ESI TO LOSE COMMUNICATION WITH LOW VOLTAGE CODES. DASH INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ONLY COMES ON WHEN OPENING THE DOOR AND BCM BECOMES ACTIVE. NO RESPONSE FROM IGNITION AND DRIVER ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHEN STEERING LOCKED DURING MALFUNCTION/ POWER PROBLEMS. DRIVER HAD VEHICLE TOWED WITH STEERING LOCKED IN A LEFT TURN. ESM[EWM] - ELECTRONIC SELECTOR MODULE(N15/5) 1 PROBLEMS EXIST 1.U016800 COMMUNICATION WITH THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION LOCK HAS A MALFUNCTION. EZS - ELECTRONIC IGNITION LOCK(N73) 2 PROBLEMS EXIST 1.A10D00 THE POWER SUPPLY IS TOO LOW._ 2.C14600 COMMUNICATION WITH THE CENTRAL GATEWAY HAS A MALFUNCTION. DRIVER-SIDE SAM - FRONT SIGNAL ACQUISITION AND ACTUATION MODULE 7 PROBLEMS EXIST 1.B215F71 RELAY 1 ''CIRCUIT 15R'' HAS A MALFUNCTION.THE ACTUATOR IS BLOCKED. 2.B212171 RELAY 1 ''CIRCUIT 15'' HAS A MALFUNCTION.THE ACTUATOR IS BLOCKED. 3.B172B15 THE OUTPUT OF THE FRONT FOOTWELL ILLUMINATION HAS A MALFUNCTION.THERE IS A SHORT CIRCUIT TO POSITIVE OR AN OPEN CIRCUIT. 4.B179715 LEFT STANDING LIGHT 2 HAS A MALFUNCTION.THERE IS A SHORT CIRCUIT TO POSITIVE OR AN OPEN CIRCUIT. 5.B126231 A MAGNETIC INTERFERENCE FIELD WAS DETECTED. 6.B126322 CONTROL UNIT ''N10/1 (FRONT SAM CONTROL UNIT WITH FUSE AND RELAY MODULE)'' HAS RECEIVED NO LIN MESSAGE FROM COMPONENT ''COMPASS MODULE''. 7.B127A54 COMPONENT ''COMPASS MODULE'' IS NOT CALIBRATED. REAR SAM - REAR SIGNAL ACQUISITION AND ACTUATION MODULE 2 PROBLEMS EXIST 1.B182811 THE OUTPUT FOR REMOTE TRUNK OPENING HAS A MALFUNCTION.THERE IS A SHORT CIRCUIT TO GROUND. 2.U016800 COMMUNICATION WITH THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION LOCK HAS A MALFUNCTION.

NHTSA ID

11290004

Incident

Oct 9, 2019

Mileage

151,825 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF SOUTH CHARLOTTE (950 N POLK ST, PINEVILLE, NC 28134, (704) 837-7955) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SEIZED AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,017. *AS*JB

NHTSA ID

11219973

Incident

Jun 2, 2019

Mileage

142,017 mi

AFTER DRIVING COMPLETELY NORMALLY FOR OVER 30 MINUTES, I PARKED IN A LOT AND STEPPED OUT OF THE CAR WITHOUT ISSUE TO RUN AN ERRAND. AFTER GETTING BACK INTO THE CAR ONLY 5 MINUTES LATER, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THERE WAS NO NOISE, JUST AN MESSAGE ON THE DISPLAY: "REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION". NO OTHER LIGHTS CAME UP. THE KEY COULD TURN, BUT NOTHING ELSE HAPPEN. AFTER DETERMINING THAT IT WAS NOT A BATTERY OR ENGINE ISSUE, THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP THAT DETERMINED THAT IT WAS A FAILURE OF THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK, WHICH CAUSED THE NO START CONDITION. THIS WAS A SUDDEN FAILURE WITH NO WARNINGS, LEAVING DRIVER AND PASSENGERS COMPLETELY IMMOBILE. DEALERSHIP IS CHARGING OVER $1600 FOR REPLACEMENT, CITING THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL.

NHTSA ID

11186635

Incident

Mar 5, 2019

Mileage

72,000 mi

ISSUE: PARKED VEHICLE FAILED TO START. STEERING LOCKED. SHIFTER LOCKED. SUDDEN FAILURE, NO WARNINGS. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER DIAGNOSTIC: ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK (ESL) FAILED. AFFECTED P/N: 204-545-81-32. SPECIAL NOTES: (1) CAR MAINTAINED BY DEALER. OEM PARTS PURCHASED FROM DEALER. (2) THIS WILL BE THE SECOND TIME PART IS REPLACED BY THE DEALER ON THIS VEHICLE. LAST REPLACED IN 2012. (3) CONTACTED MB CUSTOMER CARE (CASE MANAGER) TO SHARE CONCERN. IMMEDIATELY STATED: "NOT A SAFETY CONCERN." NO INTEREST IN REPORTING ISSUE TO LEADERSHIP OR APPROPRIATE DEPARTMENT. SAFETY CONCERN AND RECOMMENDATIONS: (1) PAST HISTORY * AND LACK OF OEM INTERVENTION SUGGEST ESL COULD FAIL WHILE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN CAUSING DRIVER TO LOSE COMPLETE STEERING CONTROL OF VEHICLE. (2) BOTH A FAILURE MODES AND EFFECTS ANALYSIS (FMEA) AND SYSTEM SAFETY ANALYSIS (SSA) SHOULD BE PERFORMED AND REPORTED TO NHTSA TO ASCERTAIN THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. (3) SAFETY SUMMARY REPORT OR OFFICIAL STATEMENT SHOULD BE SHARED WITH THE PUBLIC. * OVER 100 COMBINED COMPLAINTS REPORTED IN THIS WEBSITE, MB FORUMS, AND OFF-LINE.

NHTSA ID

11173514

Incident

Jan 26, 2019

Mileage

109,000 mi

I GOT OUT OF MY VEHICLE TO STOP AT AN ATM WHEN I GOT BACK INTO MY PARKED CAR IT WOULD NOT START. NONE OF THE DIAGNOSTICS WORKED. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE STEERING COLUMN LOCK STOPPED WORKING. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE C300.

NHTSA ID

11153961

Incident

Nov 5, 2018

THE ELS WENT OUT . WHICH I'VE BEEN TOLD IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN OF THE ELS

NHTSA ID

11152346

Incident

Nov 9, 2018

Mileage

150,000 mi

CAR WILL NOT START AFTER DIVING. POWER FROM BATTERY IS GOOD. DOOR STILL LOCK AND UNLOCK. THIS PARTICLUAF BRAND HAS ISSUE WITH ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCKING AND LEAVING CAR MOBILELESS. CANNOT PLACE CAR IN NEAUTRAL FOR TOWING.

NHTSA ID

11131075

Incident

Sep 22, 2018

Mileage

125,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL CAR IS COMPLETELY LOCKED UP SAYS REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION, LEFT ME STRANDED SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE FAILURE WITH STEERING LOCK AND ESL

NHTSA ID

11114543

Incident

Jul 17, 2018

Mileage

88,000 mi

THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK MECHANISM FAILED, LOCKING THE STEERING WHEEL, WHICH PREVENTED IGNITION AND THE ABILITY TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO MANUAL FOR TOWING. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED ON A PUBLIC ROADWAY IN ORDER TO ASSIST A LOST CHILD. AFTER THE POLICE ARRIVED TO ASSIST, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART, PUSHED, OR MOVED FURTHER OFF OF THE ROAD. RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS REPAIR IS A COMMON COMPLAINT ON 2008 C300 CARS AND THE OEM PARTS WERE PART OF A BAD BATCH OF SUPPLIER PARTS.

NHTSA ID

11112730

Incident

Jul 16, 2018

Mileage

106,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, 'TAKE THE KEY OUT THE IGNITION' APPEARED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF BOSTON (259 MCGRATH HWY, SOMERVILLE, MA 02143, (617) 666-4100) AND REPAIRED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS NOT AWARE OF THE DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,669.

NHTSA ID

11112372

Incident

Jun 28, 2018

Mileage

127,669 mi

VEHICLE PARKED AND LOCKED IN FRONT MY HOUSE. WHEN ATEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT UNLOCK. I TRIED TWO DIFFERENT KEY TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT STILL THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THERE IS NO WARNING LIGHT. MERCEDES BENZ ROADSIDE ASSISTANT WAS CALLED, AND THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALER. THEN, DEALER CONFIRMED THAT STEERING LOCK MODULE IN THE COLUMN HAS FAILED AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACE, AND WILL COST $1100 PARTS, LABOR, AND TAX TO GET IT DONE EVEN WHEN I HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY. IT WAS SAID THAT THE SERVICE CONTRACT IS A NAMED COMPONENT WARRANTY AND THIS COMPONENT IS NOT ON THE LIST, SO IT IS NOT COVERED. THE VEHICLE IS NOW IN AT THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALER AND IS BEING WORKED ON.

NHTSA ID

11100298

Incident

Jun 5, 2018

CAR WON'T START AND SHOWED NO SYMPTOM. AFTER READING THE BLOG IT APPEARS A LOT PEOPLE ARE GOING THROUGH THE SAME ISSUE AND DEALERSHIPS ARE THE ONLY AUTHORIZED TO WORK ON THEM AND TAKING PEOPLE HARD EARNED MONEY. IT STOPPED WORKING WORKING AT 18583 DALLAS PARKWAY SUITE 120 DALLAS, TX 75287 WHILE IT WAS PARKED. PARK PLACE MERCEDES IS WORKING ON THE VEHICLE AND CHARGING IS MORE THAN THOUSAND.

NHTSA ID

11091292

Incident

Apr 30, 2018

Mileage

50,000 mi

THE ELECTRON STEERING LOCK FAILED ON MY 2008 C300. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS THAT CAME ON PREVIOUSLY BUT THE CAR JUST DID NOT START ONE DAY. THIS PROBLEM IS PREVELANT AMONG MANY OWNERS SO MERCEDES SHOULD COVER THE COST OF REPAIR.

NHTSA ID

11072984

Incident

Feb 6, 2018

Mileage

72,400 mi

THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY STOP WORKING WHILE I AM DRIVING.

NHTSA ID

11055053

Incident

Dec 16, 2017

Mileage

128,908 mi