Steering lock ignition assembly. There were no signs or indications that something like this was going to occur. Thankfully I reached my destination, backed up in my yard and parked. I aproached my vehicle because I wanted to fill up for the remainder of the week, I unlocked my door, placed my key in the ignition switch, and nothing happened. The radio worked and also the interior lights. I took the key out and went to use the spare key, inserted it and while the door was opened the display told me to remove the key. This could present a very dangerous situation for a female with children in an unfamiliar setting. After reading up about the problem I see that I am not alone in my troubles. I think this malfunction should included in a recall because of the safety risks involved because it could occur at any time. Thankfully I was at home.

- Calera, AL, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes Benz C300. The contact stated when attempting to start the vehicle, the steering wheel failed to unlock without warning. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 37,000. The VIN was not available.

- Redondo Beach, CA, USA

Steering wheel locked while car was parked and would not unlock had to tow vehicle to dealer. Cost is $1300 to fix not covered under warranty dealer reduce price to $1100. This should be a recall and also a safety concern.

- Freeport, NY, USA

Steering lock assembly. This issue can be a safety problem due to certain circumstances for example leaving women and children stranded in parts or areas where is not populated or in areas where criminal activity is high. Without any warning this problem has presented and still presenting causing Mercedes Benz costumers to be in a real bad situation safe wise and economic wise. Therefore I feel Mercedes Benz manufacturer should be held responsible for this issue.

- Conroe, TX, USA

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.

- Moss Point, MS, USA

The vehicle did not recognize the key & didn't turn on and was not showing as parked. Called aaa to check the battery but was not it. Called towing service to get this moved to my mechanic & turns out this is due to bad electronic steering lock mechanism & only dealer can get this replaced and programed which costed me $1200. Checked & turns out this is a common problem with 2009 C300. Why is it not being recalled"?" this can be very dangerous when on the road!!! happened right before christmas so had to wait 2 days for my mechanic to check & towed again to dealer and now I'm still waiting for the car without a car for a week. This is very disappointing since I thought Mercedes was known for safety. Hope they will recall this issue & re-imburse the cost.

- Brea, CA, USA

Vehicle not starting. Not turning over. Parked the car for about 20 min in my moms driveway. When we came out to leave. The vehicle will not start. The radio will turn on. The lights will turn on. When I open the door the odometer area tells me to remove my key. Tried to get a jump from aaa. When they arrived they said it wasn't the battery. Now I look on youtube and other mb blogs. And they say the fix is 1000$$$$$ to 3000$$$$$$ and this is a known problem with this model. I will update this when I know more.

- Durham, NC, USA

I have had my 2009 Mercedes Benz C300 for 5 months now it was a birthday present on 7/11/15.I drove to the gas station filled it up put the key in the ignition it was dead.the lights and interior lights came on and the radio but the windows would not let down the horn would not blow and sunroof doesn't work towed it to Mercedes Benz arlington Texas it will cost me 1,386 for repairs plus a $290 diagnostic fee I just paid the $575 carnot I have not even had a chance to have fun in it is has 49,000 miles on it and my warranty doesn't cover any of the repairs I need my money back what a rip off I only drive it on sat. And sun.Mercedes please do the recall this is bad business ethics for Mercedes Benz owners across the globe how you going to make us fall in love with our cars then punish us for it in the end that's obsurd and just down right wrong I am outraged about this year's birthday gift and now my christmas is going to Mercedes Benz 1,386 merry christmas Mercedes Benz I know your families will have a wonderful christmas by taking my family's christmas money away from us no christmas specials on service charge for repairs for new customers this year or nothing

- Grandprairie, TX, USA

I could not start the car after I crank my key.dealer diagnosed "electronic steering lock assembly" needs to be replace. Cost $850.

- Thousand Oaks, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes Benz C300. The contact stated that after the vehicle was parked, the vehicle failed to restart without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering column lock failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000.

- Marrero, LA, USA

12/04/2015 put the key in the ignition. The car does not recognize the key is in the ignition. Towed to the dealership for repair. After researching I see this is a coming problem with this make and model.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

This is the 2nd time in 8 months that the car has a faulty ignition steering lock. Steering wheel locks, car will not start and message comes up to remove key from ignition. Car unusable, has to be towed to dealership.the repair cost $1500, not exactly cheap. There are countless complaints about this issue. I am really really surprised this has not led to a recall to date.

- Columbia, SC, USA

My C300 was functioning perfectly with no issues. When I came out to start the car, it would not recognize the key. I had it towed to a dealer and they informed me that it's the electronic steering lock fail. I looked this up and it is something very common with the 2009 model. There are several post on the internet asking for this to be a recall item.

- Landover, MD, USA

Put key into ignition, steering wheel doesn't unlock. Instrument cluster displays "remove key from ignition". turn key to accessory, no lights on dashboard, radio remains off, windows don't work. Turn key all the way to start car, nothing happens.

- North Bergen, NJ, USA

Vehicle would not start one day. Would lock and unlock but would not recognize key was in ignition. Towed to dealership and am being told it is eis. Vehicle only has 80,000 on it. After researching this seems to be a common problem among this year and model. Why has this not been addressed by Mercedes?

- Cornwall, NY, USA

Car was working fine. Came out of a restaurant, and the car wouldn't start. Received error message on console to "remove key from ignition". car was towed to local dealership, where they told me it was a faulty ignition steering lock, it would cost $1300 to repair and I would be out of a car for at least 1 week while they ordered the part.

- El Cajon, CA, USA

Car won't start dealer replaced battery; now the car is on a steering lock failure..must be towed in the dealer...I was told a lot of the 2009 mb C300 has this problem.

- Castle Rock, CO, USA

When I put my key in the ignition it would not start, my radio will play but my car would not. There was other recall issue found in my vehicle and Mercedes dealer told me that it is a problem with the electronic steering lock and I need to get it replace in order for my car to start again. It is unfair that as a customer I would have to pay for this when it clearly says its an electronic problem?? this expensive repair is costing me almost $1,400 money I can't afford.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

Car wouldn't start. Luckily that car was at our house. After research found that the 2009 C300 has problems with the eis (electronic ignition switch). After a 5-6 hours the cars ignition started working, but from reading others experience the ignition could disable forever at any time. Cost to repair is $1500 and only be done at a dealership.

- La Habra, CA, USA

On the highway driving 40 mph warning on the display came on stating the" ebr, ABS, esp are inoperative" and a warning display stating "power steering malfunction". power steering was fine, but it was a very nerve wrecking drive. Dealership is stating it is the esp module and pump that needs to be replaced, which can only be done at the dealership.

- La Habra, CA, USA