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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
53,783 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2010 Mercedes-Benz C300 steering problems

steering problem

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2010 Mercedes-Benz C300 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 4)

problem #63

Aug 252022

C300

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Rear subframe completely rusted through resulting in multiple attached systems to break off. When applying the brakes the rear end of the vehicle swings and can force the car into random directions. Upon any basic research this issue can be seen in similar Mercedes models across the globe consistently. If the issue was not diagnosed sooner the likelihood of a fatal crash would have been extremely high due to critical components like braking and suspension systems being nonfunctional. Many vehicles that experience this design flaw are well maintained and kept in good conditions. I urge the NHTSA to release some kind of warning to owners of these vehicles because this issue can blindside even the most vigilant owners. Many posts regarding this issue describe nearly avoiding severe accidents. Please do not let this go unheard because it can be fatal if not addressed.

- Cincinnati , OH, USA

problem #62

Nov 162021

C300

  • miles
After parking my car, turned ignition off, did some work for 45 minutes I came back attempting to start the car. The car won-€™t start, I am not hearing any of the normal sound that usually takes place when I place the key in ignition. Message on dashboard telling me to remove the key. Car will not start. After checking battery and calling mechanic they tell me the my steering wheel lock is bad. The ESL went bad out of nowhere. Car won-€™t start, steering wheel is locked and the only way to fix it is to take it Mercedes-€™ dealer and pay over $2000. I search on google and found out that this is a common issue with my 2010 C300. This is a manufacturing defect and Mercedes should recall it and pay for repair. In my case I parked my car in my garage, imagine if I was traveling on highway way and the steering wheel locks or failed on the side of busy interstate hwy. the worst part is that Mercedes dealer did nothing t warn me when I bought the car about this issue especially since it is know since 2008, and they will not allow after market parts to be installed by other mechanics. So this is defective and Mercedes should be forced to recall and replace for free. We should not wait for someone to die before this is fixed. This happened without any warning PLEASE FORCE MERCEDES TO RECALL AND FIX THE ESL NOW.

- Boynton Beach , FL, USA

problem #61

Dec 122020

C300

  • 155,500 miles
Security system disables ignition due to a failure of the esl (steering lock). Nothing is wrong with the car it just won't start.

- Nottingham, NH, USA

problem #60

Aug 012020

C300

  • 0 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The steering wheel lock is stuck and now my car will not start. This is a known issue with Mercedes cars of all makes & models. I put my key in and tried to start it and it failed to start. I thought it was the battery and had it tested and replaced. That is not the issue. The car still will not start and come to find out it is the steering lock motor that has failed. It is a esl failure.

- Wheat Ridge, CO, USA

problem #59

Jul 012020

C300

  • miles
I notices back in 2013- 2014 a recall was sent out because the power steering pump was leaking in the 2010 Mercedes Benz C-class 300. On 07/01/2020 thats when I notices my 2010 Mercedes Benz C-class was losing power steering fluid. I notified the Mercedes dealership and they pulled up my VIN number. She informed me that my car was service. Apparently what ever they fix isn't working anymore. I don't feel safe driving the car is there any way that you can help me with this matter please thank you.

- Tacoma, WA, USA

problem #58

Mar 232020

C300

  • 74,000 miles
Seized steering lock and passenger door won't open from the inside

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #57

May 152019

C300

  • 0 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Really cant say much cause thats how I bought the car.

- Scott City, KS, USA

problem #56

Jan 242020

C300 6-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
Key in ignition, steering wheel does not unlock. Able to get key into run and crank position with no instrument cluster lights turning on. All other electrical features to the car work (radio, power windows, seats, lights). Unable to shift car into neutral without removing gear selector shift cover.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #55

Feb 042020

C300

  • 133,000 miles
My car was working completely fine all morning. I went to start it again but would not start at all. I would turn my key and get absolutely nothing. Doors and locks were still working.

- Haddon Heights, NJ, USA

problem #54

Jan 022020

C300

  • 0 miles
Steering control lock unit has gone bad many issues car will not start leaves you stranded many people complaining about it over the internet same situation Mercedes really needs to do something about this don't feel safe steering wheel can lock while driving this is not safe

- Cherry Hill, NJ, USA

problem #53

Nov 242019

C300

  • 105,394 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On or about 11/24/19, vehicle was parked in front of the house overnight and next morning, the vehicle did not start due to steering being locked electronically. Car did not have any power besides doors opening and would not shift into neutral. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer and service advisor contacted me to inform me that the vehicle locked the seething due to faulty switch. Vehicle was repaired and return to me on 12/4/2019. At this time, I am concerned for my safety due to possibility that the steering might lock while the vehicle is in motion.

- Lumberton, NJ, USA

problem #52

Nov 292019

C300

  • miles
Eis, steering lock

- Suitland, MD, USA

problem #51

Aug 052019

C300

  • 56,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact was unable to start the vehicle after multiple attempts. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the electronic steering lock module needed to be replaced. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #50

Jan 032019

C300

  • 67,000 miles
The contact owned a 2010 Mercedes-Benz C300. While driving approximately 20 mph through an intersection, the power steering suddenly failed and the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. The driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into two other vehicles. The driver sustained neck, back, and chest injuries. A police report was taken at the scene. The vehicle was destroyed. A second person was injured from the second vehicle. No further information was available. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 67,000.

- Mcallen, TX, USA

problem #49

Jun 112019

C300

  • 71,517 miles
The C300 model has a notorious problem with electronic steering locking leaving the car mobileless. Cannot even put in neutral for towing. The car simply won't start. It will leave a motorist stranded at any time, any place and without any warning and represents a dangerous hazard to motorist's safety. Mercedes should be brought to court via class action law suit. Consumer stated car has been repaired.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #48

Jul 032019

C300

  • miles
The els problem again like in the other mercedez..I park my car was running good no noise or anything when I was going home dead not turning on the engine..had to towed to my mechanic and he soyed is the power steering lock

- Dover, NJ, USA

problem #47

Jun 092019

C300

  • 47,800 miles
On June 9,2019 I was driving going to giant grocery store in West-bard shopping center in bethesda..in the parking lot I lost control of steering column.hit a concrete pole and passed out.all of my airbags deployed, time was around I was driving on city road.from river road to westbard. I suffered brain, neck, chest and knee injuries. Sufferred transient global amnesiaf or nearly 4 hours or more. Still recuperating. Last two years getting letters for takata airbag recalls but nothing has been done, did not know that steering column had issues. I did manufacture recommended service.car has about 48,000 mile on it. It has multiple options upgrades.

- Bethesda, MD, USA

problem #46

Aug 192018

C300

  • 0 miles
Cam solenoid most C300 will stop turning on all the car does is ask U to take key of ignition.. I searched the issue and there is thousands of people having the same issue. It's not fair to consumers not to have a recall on a part that is defective that cost over a thousand to fix. Please help us resolve this matter

- Davenport, FL, USA

problem #45

Mar 252019

C300

  • 128,650 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz C300. While driving approximately 20 mph, the steering ability became difficult. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 128,650.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #44

Jan 242019

C300

  • 80,000 miles
Esl module failure(brushes of the substandard electrical motor go bad) leaves the car inoperable. Almost all C300 and similar models will experience this failure before they reach 80,000 miles. The module is buried deeply into the car yet it would fail with certainty. The mass failure of the module would suggest that there would be a recall, nevertheless Mercedes-Benz(mb) is pretending the problem doesn't exist and owners are often left stranded on parking lots with an useless car and stuck with a bill of $2000 for something that is clearly a mb design and engineering fault.

- Concord, CA, USA

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