2008 Mercedes Benz C350 complaints

STEERING LOCK ISSUE. ENGINE DOES NOT CRANK AND CAR DOES NOT START. UPON INSERTING KEY, AN MESSAGE POPS UP ASKING TO REMOVE THE KEY. STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED AND CAR STUCK IN PARK. DUE TO THE CONFIGURATION OF MY PARKING GARAGE AND THE FACT THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED, IT TOOK ME SEVERAL DAYS AND 4 DIFFERENT TOW TRUCKS TO SUCCESSFULLY TOW THE CAR 1.5 MILES TO MY LOCAL MB DEALERSHIP. THE DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR OF THE FAULTY STEERING LOCK, WHICH THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAYS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME WITH MY MODEL, TOOK AN ENTIRE WEEK. I WAS TOLD MB DOES NOT OFFER A LOANER CAR IN THIS SITUATION. ALL IN ALL, IT TOOK MY 2 WEEKS TO FINALLY GET MY CAR WORKING AGAIN. THE REPAIR WAS $1,200. ADD IN THE 4 TOW TRUCKS, AND 2 WEEKS OF RENTAL CAR AND THIS WAS EASILY A $2,000 ISSUE. MB SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL GIVEN THAT THIS ISSUE IS SO PREVALENT AND CLEARLY A FAULT WITH THE STEERING LOCK PART.

IT HAS BEEN SINCE FEB. OF 2016 THAT I WAS NOTIFIED OF A POTENTIALLY FATAL AIR BAG FAULT. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN MY VEHICLE ON THE FREEWAY TRIPS DUE TO THAT POTENTIAL DANGER. I THINK MERCEDES SHOULD NOW PROVIDE SOME SORT OF "LOANER"

"TAKATA RECALL" RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FROM MERCEDES-BENZ AUGUST 2016. TO THIS DATE (JAN 20, 2017) NO REPLACEMENTS PARTS HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE AIR BAGS. THIS IS TAKING WAY TO LONG AND WHILE I NEED MY CAR IT IS UNNERVING TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. WHEN WILL THE PARTS BE AVAILABLE? THANK YOU [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TAKATA RECALL I HAVE BEEN WAITING MORE THAN 1 YEAR FOR PARTS TO BECOME AVAILABLE TO REPAIR THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION. I THINK MERCEDES IS STALLING TO AVOID THESE REPAIRS.

FRONT LAMPS AND HEADLIGHT KEEP RANDOMLY NOT FUNCTIONING AT START OR WHEN DRIVING. WARNING LIGHT THAT BULB IS OUT COMES ON BUT THEN GOES AWAY AND THE LIGHTS COME BACK ON AFTER A LITTLE OF TIME AND A RESTART OF ENGINE.

TAKATA RECALL. THIS RECALL STARTED IN FEBRUARY 2016, AND NOW, NINE MONTHS LATER, THERE IS NO INDICATION WHEN THE AIRBAGS WILL BE REPLACED. I WILL NOT LET MY CHILD RIDE IN THE VEHICLE, AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY TAKATA ADMITS THERE IS A DEFECT, BUT THE REPAIR HAS NOT BEEN MADE. AT A MINIMUM, I SHOULD BE GIVEN A FREE REPLACEMENT CAR TO DRIVE WHILE MINE IS UNDER A RECALL THAT COULD BE LIFE THREATENING.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V363000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 11/23/16.*JB...UPDATED 01/05/17 *BF UPDATED 12/04/2017*JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C350. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT THE IGNITION FAILED TO TURN OVER AND START. A WARNING INDICATOR TO REMOVE THE KEY APPEARED. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED AND WOULD NOT TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL STEERING LOCK MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DECLINED TO FILE A COMPLAINT UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 77,000. UPDATED 10/04/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE OLD PARTS AND REPAIR RECEIPT ARE AVAILABLE. UPDATED 10/13/16.*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C350. WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH, A CLICKING SOUND WAS HEARD AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRIC STEERING WHEEL LOCK FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

STATIONARY VEHICLE NO START, NO CRANK WITHOUT WARNING WHILE PARKED ON A CITY STREET. FAILURE WITHIN THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK. VEHICLE WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THE DRIVERS KEY. DRIVER AND PASSENGERS LEFT DANGEROUSLY STRANDED WHERE EVER THE VEHICLE IS PARKED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS. THIS FAILURE MAKES IT UNABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL POSITION FOR TOWING.

ESL FAILURE. APPARENTLY THIS IS A VERY COMMON 1200$ ISSUE WITH C-CLASS. THE KEY WOULD TURN BUT THE CAR WON'T START. HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO INSTANTLY KNEW IT WAS THE ESL. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE ISSUES. SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM!

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V711000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V711000 AND 16V081000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

MANIFOLD INTAKE CONTROL ARM BROKE AT AROUND 67,000 MILES CAUSING MAJOR ACCELERATION PROBLEMS PRIMARILY IN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR AT LOW RPMS. IT WAS A SAFETY CONCERN DUE TO RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. AFTER INSPECTING DESIGN OF INTAKE MANIFOLD, THERE ARE MANY PLASTIC PARTS THAT CAN BREAK OFF AND ENTER THE ENGINE CAUSING IRREPAIRABLE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS HAPPENING ON THE FREEWAY AT HIGH SPEED ARE UNIMAGINABLE.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V711000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AS THE SRS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,050.

NHTSA RECALL 15V711 STILL WAITING !

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V711000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE REMEDY OR PART FOR THE RECALL WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATIONS FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V711000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE SUPPLIED TO THE DEALER TO RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR BECAUSE THE INTERIM NOTICE INDICATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE INTERIM NOTIFICATION SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT YET SPECIFIED WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE TO SUPPLY THE PARTS TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING ANY FAILURES. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V711000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V711000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V711000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 41,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V711000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

MY INTAKE MANIFOLD KEEPS BRAKING PART#272-150-24-01. THE FRONT PLASTIC PIECE THAT OPENS THE BAFFLES KEEPS SNAPING THIS IS THE SECOND ONE I BUY IN THE PAST 2 YEARS EACH TIME I PAID $1281.00+LABOR THEY NEED TO MAKE SOMETHING MORE STRONGER THANT THIS, IS A WASTE OF MONEY TO KEEP BUYING THIS.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ C350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A PROGRESSIVE FAILURE IN WHICH THE SRS AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V711000 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SUPPLY THE PART TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

ONLY 45,000 MILES ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK FAILED NEED TO TOW THE CAR.

THIS IS THE 2ND TIME IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME SAME ISSUE WITH THE EIS STEERING MECHANISM. FIRST TIME I PAID OVER $800 TO HAVE THE PART REPLACED THEN SECOND TIME I AM BEING CHARGED OVER $900 & THAT'S WITH A DISCOUNT! I COMPLAINED & MERCEDES DOES NOT CARE! VERY FRUSTRATING WHEN YOU THINK YOU PURCHASED A CAR FOR RELIABILITY & QUALITY BUT IT IS ALWAYS BREAKING DOWN. MERCEDES KNOWS THE PROBLEM & IS WELL AWARE OF IT BUT WILL NOT FIX IT BECAUSE THEY ARE MAKING A LOT OF MONEY FROM IT! I WAS AT THE GAS STATION READY TO LEAVE & CAR WOULD NOT START. THE LIGHTS WERE ON & RADIO BUT NO LUCK GETTING THE KEY TO TURN AT ALL. HAD TO GET A TOW TRUCK & PAY MORE BECAUSE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO NEUTRAL. I WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT IT WOULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN & THEY COULD NOT HELP WITH ANY DISCOUNTS EITHER! JUST NOT RIGHT! SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!!!

WHEEL BOLTS CORRODE EXCESSIVELY DUE TO INCOMPATIBLE METALS BETWEEN ALUMINUM WHEELS AND ZINC PLATED STEEL BOLTS. CAN BE DANGEROUS TO VEHICLE OPERATOR WITH TIME.

THE VEHICLE LEFT ME STRANDED AND LOCKED OUT. I WAS UNABLE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL PREVENTING A PROPER TOW.

MY 2008 C350 FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING, I CALLED AAA TO COME CHECK THE BATTERY AND THEY SAID THE BATTERY WAS GOOD. I ALSO NOTICED THAT MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT UNLOVK WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED. I CALLED AAA AGAIN AND REQUESTED TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP CALLED TO TELL ME THAT MY STEERING COLUMN AND EIS BOTH FAILED AND IT WOULD COST AROUND $1500 TO REPLACE. I WENT ON THE MBUSA FORUM WEBSITE AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, I EVEN SAW A CAMPAIGN NUMBER LISTED FOR THE EIS. IF THESE DEFECTS ARE KNOWN ISSUES AND SINCE THEY FAIL WITHOUT WARNING AND COULD CAUSE THE EIS TO FAIL AND ALONG WITH THE STEERING COLUMN TO LOCK WHILE THE DRIVER IS DRIVING CAUSING AN ACCIDENT OR LEAVING A FAMILY STRANDED, I'M NOT TO SURE WHY THIS SAFETY ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED AND ADDRESSED YET. DO WE NEED PEOPLE TO DIE IN VEHICLE ACCIDENTS FROM THESE PARTS FAILING BEFORE WE DO THE RIGHT THING AND RECALL THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS? I'M VERY THANKFUL THAT MY PARTS FAILED WHEN I WASN'T DRIVING BECAUSE I MIGHT NOT BE THE ONE WRITING THIS COMPLAINT, IT WOULD BE MY DAUGHTERS AND WIFE WRITING AND CRYING BECAUSE A KNOWN DEFECT WAS NOT CORRECTED IN A TIMELY MANNER AND IT TOOK MY LIFE AND POSSIBLY OTHERS. LET'S BE PROACTIVE AND NOT REACTIVE!

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C350. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SRS MALFUNCTION LIGHT BECAME ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

I HAD STOPPED TO CHECK THE MAILBOX IN THE PARKING LOT, TURNING THE ENGINE OFF. UPON RETURN, ENGINE WOULDN'T CRANK; WINDOWS WOULDN'T GO DOWN. DASHBOARD INDICATOR & INTERIOR/EXTERIOR LIGHTS WORKED. STEERING COLUMN LOCKED; UNABLE TO SHIFT GEAR FROM PARK. TOWED CAR TO DEALER. I HAD ONLY ONE KEY FOB. THEY WANTED TO TEST A SECOND ONE; SINCE I DIDN'T OWN ONE, THEY STATED I SHOULD PURCHASE ONE FOR $250 IN CASE IT WAS A FOB PROBLEM. IT WASN'T. THE EIS--ELECTRONIC IGNITION SWITCH (THEY CALLED IT "STEERING LOCK" AKA ESL--ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK) IS THE CAUSE, ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY WANT $1100 FOR THAT ISSUE, TOTAL OF $1420 + TAX.

I DROVE WITHOUT PROBLEM TO A LOCAL STORE, LESS THAN 4 MILES AWAY. I WAS IN THE STORE 5 MINUTES. WHEN I CAME OUT AND TRIED TO START MY CAR, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED IN PLACE AND THE DASH SAID "TAKE KEY FROM IGNITION". THE LIGHTS AND RADIO WORKED, HOWEVER THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT WORK AND THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN ON. ALSO, THE SHIFT WAS STUCK IN "PARK" AND COULD NOT BE PLACED INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT AN OVERRIDE.

STEERING LOCK FAILURE: I CAN NOT TURN WHEELS AND START THE ENGINE. A LOT OF MERCEDES CUSTOMERS COMPLAINTS ABOUT EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM. VEHICLE HAS TO BE TOWED AND REPAIR ONLY BY THE DEALER. IT SHOULD QUALIFIED FOR RECALL!!!

2008 MERCEDES BENZ C350 - 70,677 AFTER DRIVING THE CAR IN THE MORNING, I WENT TO CRANK THE CAR LATER IN THE DAY AND IT WOULD NOT START. IGNITION WOULD TURN, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED - ONLY A CLICKING SOUND WHEN I REMOVED THE KEY. LOCKS, ALARM, LIGHTS (INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR), RADIO AND AIR CONDITIONER WORKED FINE, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK AND THE BRAKE WAS LOCKED IN PLACE. BATTERY TESTED NORMAL AT 12.4 VOLTS. I TRIED THE SECOND KEY, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START. TOOK IT TO MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A STEERING LOCK / IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM AND IT WAS A COMMON ISSUE THEY SEE IN THIS YEAR AND MODEL. THEY WANTED $1,200 TO REPLACE THE STEERING LOCK. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM IN MERCEDES BENZ 2008 C CLASS, BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL AND MERCEDES WILL NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE.

DROVE CAR TO WORK WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. AT THE END OF DAY, CAR WOULD NOT START AND ENGINE WOULD NOT CRANK OR TURN OVER. DASHBOARD INDICATOR, RADIO, WINDOWS, INTERIOR/EXTERIOR LIGHTS WORKED. GOT A JUMP FROM EMPLOYEE PARKING SERVICES, BUT CAR STILL WOULD NOT START. STEERING COLUMN LOCKED AND UNABLE TO SHIFT GEAR TO NEUTRAL. TOWED CAR TO AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND HAD SERVICE DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. ERROR FOUND TO BE RELATED TO SERVICE CAMPAIGN 2008020003 ISSUED MARCH 2008 IN WHICH THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION SWITCH REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. PER CAMPAIGN, "DAIMLER AG HAS DETERMINED THAT THE EIS MAY MALFUNCTION PREVENTING THE ELECTRIC STEERING LOCK AND THE CENTRAL LOCK FROM FUNCTIONING. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EIS ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES DURING THE NEXT WORKSHOP VISIT. PLEASE NOTE THAT RECALL AND SERVICE CAMPAIGNS DO NOT EXPIRE AND MAY ALSO BE PERFORMED ON A VEHICLE WITH A VEHICLE STATUS INDICATOR. ORDER NO. P-SC-2008020003." PARTS--PART NAME:EIS PART NO: A204 545 14 08 ESTIMATED REPLACEMENT RATE 100%; PART NAME:ORANGE WORKSHOP KEY (MUST BE ORDERED BY VIN) PART NO: A000 766 96 06 9999 ESTIMATED REPLACEMENT RATE 100%. WARRANTY INFORMATION: OPERATION: REPLACE EIS CONTROL MODULE (02-5644); CONNECT/DISCONNECT STAR DIAGNOSIS (02-4762); CONNECT/DISCONNECT BATTERY CHARGER (02-5058). DAMAGE CODE: 46 926 31 7. DO YOUR RESEARCH--THIS PROBLEM HAS AFFECTED THOUSANDS OF MB OWNERS AND HAS OCCURRED TO SOME WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD, MORE SO THAN THE BACK TAIL LIGHT ISSUE WHICH WAS RECALL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A THIRD VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 22,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

ON TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2015, I DROVE MY CAR TO WORK AND PARKED AT APPROXIMATELY 7:45 AM. I DID NOT GET BACK INTO THE CAR UNTIL 4:30 PM ON THE SAME DAY. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO START UP MY VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT START. I CALLED A MECHANIC FRIEND, AND HE DETERMINED THAT IT IS A FAULTY EIS WHICH IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE DESCRIBING HERE. AS IT STANDS RIGHT NOW, I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER MERCEDES BENZ!!!!

I PARKED THE CAR,FEW HOURS LATER,I TRY TO PUT IT ON,NO STARTING OCCURRED,NO EXTERNAL LIGHT ,THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. I BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY BUT IT DID NOT FUNCTION.I CONSULTED WITH SEVERAL MECHANICS AND ONE THEM TALLED ME THAT PLACE WHERE I PUT THE KEY THAT IS CALLED THE PANEL SWITCH WAS DAMAGE AND SUGGESTED ME TO CALL MERCEDES BENZ DEALER BECAUSE IT HAPPENS THAT THERE WAS RECALLS THAT SEVERAL CARS HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS FOR CARS FROM 2008 -2014.THIS PROBLEM AFFECTED THE ORIGINAL BATTERY THAT I HAD.

PASSENGER SEATBELT IS CLICKED ON, BUT IT KEPT ON BEEPING SHOWING THAT ITS NOT CLICK ON WHILE DRIVING. IT DOES THAT VERY OFTEN SINCE I GOT THE CAR BACK IN 2011. THE SAME AS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG, THE LIGHT SENSOR KEEPS ON POPPING ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING TOO. I DONT KNOW IF THIS A PROBLEM I SHOULD TAKE CARE OF MYSELF BECAUSE OF MY DAILY DRIVING.

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.

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. *TR

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. *TR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

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. *TR

I WENT TO GO TURN ON MY CAR AND IT FAILED. NO SOUND OR ANYTHING. I CALLED AAA THEY CAME AND SAID THE BATTERY IS GOOD THEY JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG. I HAD TO GET MY CAR TOW WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND IT TOOK THEM ABOUT A WEEK TO REALIZE WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. I CALLED MERCEDES BENZ AND THEY HAD NO EXPLANATION TO WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT OR WHY IT HAPPEN. THEY FINALLY FIGURED IT OUT AND THEY SAID IT WAS AN ELECTRIC STEERING LOCK PROBLEM AND THAT ITS FOR SECURITY REASONS AND THAT IT CAN HAPPEN ANYTIME. I ALSO HAD TO GET A PROGRAMMING KEY. THIS COST WAS VERY EXPENSIVE TO NOT HAVE AN EXPLANATION. I ALSO NOTED THAT A LOT OF C CLASS USERS HAD THIS VERY SAME ISSUE AND WE ARE NOT UNDERSTANDING WHY THERE ISN'T A RECALL. *TR

TL* 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.

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. *TR

11/28 : I DRIVE MY 08C350 TO 7/11 STORE CLOSE TO MY HOUSE TO PICK UP SOME FOR THE TRIP THE NEXT DAY. THE CAR WOULD NOT START (RADIO, POWER WINDOW...ARE WORKING). I CALL FLETCHER JONES MERCEDES BENZ, THEY ADVISE ME TO USE THE SPARE KEY, I WALK HOME TO GET THE SPARE KEY, SAME THING. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO FETCHER JONES FOR REPAIR, THE REPAIR COST ME $1064.78. ONE MONTH EARLIER, IT COST ME ALMOST $1800,00 TO FIX THE CAMSHAFT SENSORS AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD SENSOR. ALL OF THESES 3 PROBLEMS ARE WELL KNOWN FOR THE C CLASS W204 (FROM 2008 TO 2011), BUT MERCEDES BENZ NEVER ACCEPT THE BAD DESIGN OR FAULT. WHETHER NHTSA CAN DO SOMETHING TO FORCE THE COMPANY ACCEPT THE FAULTY DESIGN TO HELP OUT THE CAR'S OWNER ?. THANKS. *TR

AFTER I TOOK MY 2008 MERCEDES C350 TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM DO THE REPAIRS FOR THE RECALL ON THE TAIL LIGHTS/BULBS. I KEEP GETTING THE "CHECK RIGHT REAR TURN SIGNAL". THE BLINKER WILL WORK FINE, THEN AFTER 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING IT BLINKS VERY FAST AND THE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON. THIS ISSUE IS GETTING WORSE. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD AND MUST BE FIXED IMMEDIATELY. PLEASE ADVICE! EVERYTHING APPEARED TO BE WORKING FINE UNTIL I GOT MY VEHICLE BACK FROM THE SERVICE DEPT. THEY CHANGED THE BULBS. *TR

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. *TR