There are 15 owner-reported steering complaints for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Classin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
-The steering wheel and brake locked up and became unusable while driving at approximately 75mph. Cruise control was enabled for a few miles (maybe 2) and disabled after. Around 5 minutes after disabling, the car began to surge between acceleration and deceleration drastically on its own. All of the dashboard lights that come on when the key is initially inserted came on at once while engine was on/running and the car was in drive. After finally being able to reach a safe enough spot, I put the car in park and turned the engine off. I sat for a few minutes to try and turn the engine/car back on and the car would not crank, but the overhead lights, radio, and dash lights were functioning. -This was an extremely dangerous experience. The car began to decelerate rapidly in heavy freeway traffic. At that speed, with many semi-trucks traveling nearby, this sudden loss of speed created an extremely dangerous situation. My vehicle instantly became a slow moving obstacle in the lane. Only by luck and quick reaction was a serious or fatal collision avoided. The car would not start back up so I was sitting at the edge of the highway as many cars flew by just inches away from my car. -I am away at college in a rural city. Accessibility is limited as well as support because of lack of resources. -The car was towed to a mechanic who does not specialize in German cars and stated they did not have the proper tools to "get into the car" because the motor is "locked up" and the car wouldn't crank. -The vehicle will be towed to the nearest dealership (50mi away) who stated they won't be able to look at it for a few weeks from date of arrival. Research indicates this may be linked to a known issue with Electronic Steering Lock (ESL) / Electronic Ignition Switch (EIS) failure in Mercedes vehicles, which can electronically disable the engine and steering. This could've easily been fatal for me and still poses an alarming threat if not addressed.
I got stranded in the middle of the street my vehicle does not crank steering lock so I had my vehicle towed into the Mercedes dealership the one in Figueroa st Monday November 18 2024 at around 03:24pm and this is what they told me. Needs immediate attention custom recommendation ELECTRIC STEERING LOCK During vehicle inspection found electric steering lock has malfunction code 25464 recommend to replace electric steering lock first and perform re-check. Repair total estimate: $2,829.78 I definitely can't afford to pay that amount please help with this issue
Lost of drive power and the vehicle steering wheel locked on my mercedes from a damaged malfunctioning steering lock actuator module due to mechanical issues within the steering column such as bad steering wheel assembly, faulty steering lock module or issue with the wiring or other electrical components and the mercedes dealer is the only one who solves this issue no other mechanic in general. My safety was at risk due to I lost power and lost of front brakes due to bad sway bar assembly or components could of caused and accident when this happened on November 12, 2024 the problem dealership found during vehicle inspection was code 25464 they told me recommend to replace electric lock module and repair estimate was $2,829.78 and before I approved the the amount I told Mr Ivan Velasco service advisor that after they replace the module that if my vehicle was going to be working again and that if I was just going to make 1 payment of $2,829.78 then I would approved it so I did. Weeks later I got an email asking for more money they wanted another payment for $600 saying it needed a sensor that has something to do with the transmission because after replacing the new module the vehicle did not start up there was no type of communications nothing at all and I responded that I was not going to pay $600 more just cause they don't know what their doing because they promise me the car was going to work after they replace the module now that it did not want to crank up they found another issue that's their fault on not doing there job the right way and for telling lies yes their was flashing blue or red icon on my dashboard that look like a car and a lock would go on and off and it displayed a message saying The theft protection is activated. I want to know if I can get this issue approved and to be considered a recall can you please help I'm so frustrating and mad that they want more money when it's already so expensive please help I would of appreciate it thank you.
My 2012 c300 has a rotted rear subframe making the car not able to be driven. It has major ,life threatening, costly damage and this issue already has a recall all over the world but not in the United States. If I can get the assistance to pay this repair, it will be gladly appreciated.
Rear Sub Frame Assembly failure. It is available for inspection upon request. Vehicle rear end begins to wobble at speeds above 40 mph. The issue causes steering to become more complicated and the vehicle veers sharply while braking. This issue makes all C Class vehicles with this Sub Frame Assembly extremely unsafe, especially at highway speeds. Vehicle has been inspected by the authorized Mercedes Benz dealership in Indianapolis, IN. Service Advisor stated it's "amazing" that there hasn't been a recall issued yet. Based on this body style there have been roughly 320,000 of these C-Class vehicles sold. If the NHTSA truly cares about safety, they will launch an investigation into this matter. There are no warning lamps or messages that appear prior to this failure.
The esl/eis failed. Turned car off and after coming back to try and turn it on, it didn't work. Steering wheel was locked and car wouldn't engage with key. After checking with mechanics and checking online, I discovered that it is a frequent issue that happens with no warning whatsoever. Which is quite worrisome to think the Steering wheel could lock at anytime without notice. My car is a 2012 Mercedes c250 coupe.
The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the vehicle was unable to start-up as needed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a faulty steering column sensor that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 104,692.
Dealer states that the rear subframe has rusted and degraded to the point of requiring full replacement. The car is 10 years old with 98,000 miles on the odometer. This is premature degradation of an essential component.
I drove over an object on the highway and noticed my car veering left and wobbly when turning. A week after, it is squealing like a load of piglets in my trunk whenever I go over a bump, then my battery light came on and I took it to the shop and contacted my insurance, who denied my claim saying it was 'wear and tear'.
While driving, engine stopped, could not steer.. Looks like a defective Electronic Ignition Switch or steering lock! It seems to be a common problem on these cars!!! The car would not start. After 8 attempts, I was able to start car but was afraid to drive it. Could have been a disaster.
MY VEHICLE AND MANY OTHER MERCEDES BENZ MODELS SUFFER A FAILED ELECTRONIC IGNITION SWITCH AND ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT AMONGST MANY MODELS/YEARS OF MERCEDES BENZ VEHICLES AND ONLY A DEALER CAN REPAIR. THE COST OF REPAIR IS $1,900. THE CAUSES THE VEHICLES TO BE UNABLE TO START, AND VERY CLEARLY, A MANUFACTURER DEFECT.
THE REAR SUBFRAME HAS CORRODED AROUND THE AREAS WHERE THE TRAILING ARM AND CONTROL ARM MEET THE SUBFRAME ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE, AND HAS DISINTEGRATED AROUND THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TRAILING ARM CAUSING IT TO HAVE DETACHED, ALONG WITH A PIECE OF THE SUBFRAME. THE METAL OF THE SUBFRAME IS DISTORTED AROUND THE AREA OF THE BREAK. THE DETACHED TRAILING ARM AND PIECE OF SUBFRAME ARE NOW MAKING CONTACT WITH THE FUEL TANK AS WELL. THE FUEL TANK COULD HAVE EASILY RUPTURED AND IGNITED WHEN THIS CAR WAS STILL IN OPERATION, AS THIS CAR WAS DRIVEN FOR SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE THE MANUFACTURING DEFECT WAS DISCOVERED. THE FAILURE HAPPENED WHEN COMING TO A GENTLE STOP FROM 20-30 MILES PER HOUR ON A STRAIGHT ROAD. THERE WAS A LOUD SNAPPING NOISE FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR. THIS CAR HAD 92,000 MILES AT TIME OF THE STRUCTURAL FAILURE AND HAS BEEN REGULARLY SERVICED, EXCLUSIVELY AT MERCEDES-BENZ. MERCEDES-BENZ USA CUSTOMER SERVICE IS UNABLE TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THIS EXACT ISSUE HAS LED TO A RECALL OF THE SAME MODEL IN CANADA, AND THERE ARE COUNTLESS NHTSA REPORTS DESCRIBING SIMILAR STRUCTURAL FAILURES. MERCEDES-BENZ USA IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND IS ALSO AWARE THAT THERE IS A RECALL IN CANADA, BUT HAS MADE IT CLEAR THAT GOODWILL WILL NOT BE EXTENDED.
THERE'S BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK (ESL) GOING BAD. I EXPERIENCED THIS DANGER EXACT FAILURE. THE CAR JUST HIT 80,000 MILES AND THIS FAILURE HAPPENED. WHEN THERE ESL LOCKS, YOU CANNOT TURN ON THE CAR TO DO ANYTHING. I HAPPENED TO BE OUT OF TOWN AND I HAD TO GET MY CAR TOWED HOME WHICH COSTED ME OVER $400 AND DIVER THE STEERING WAS LOCKED THEY HAD TO USE SPECIAL DOLLIES TO TOW MY CAR. THE DEALERSHIP WAS GOING TO CHARGE ME $2200 TO DO THE REPAIR WHICH IS UNHEARD OF AND IT'S RIDICULOUS. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND STATIONARITY. PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND NOTHING HAPPENS. I THOUGHT THE ISSUE WAS WITH THE IGNITION BUT IT'S THE STEERING LOCK SINCE IT WILL NOT UNLOCK. THE ISSUE APPEARS TO BE WITH THE MOTOR INSIDE OF THE UNIT FAILING.
STEERING WHEEL LOCK AFTER VEHICLE IS SHUT DOWN. WHEN YOU RETURN TO THE VEHICLE INSERT THE KEY THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, SPEEDO, STEERING WHEEL IS UNRESPONSIVE WHICH WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO TURN THE ENGINE. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL IT'S A ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK THAT FAILS ON SEVERAL MERCEDES BENZ CAUSING THE OWNER TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A 2,000 DOLLAR REPAIR. IT HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE IT COMPLETELY FAILS.
THE STEERING WHEEL ,HAS ALUMINUM PLATING OR COVERING, THAT WAS PEELING OFF AND CUT MY FINGER AS I WAS DRIVING, THIS HAPPENED LAST YEAR AND WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, AND DEALER REPLACED, THIS IS HAPPENING AGAIN, AND THE DEALER HAS AGREED TO REPLACE EVEN THOUGH THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. I THOUGHT YOU GUYS SHOULD KNOW. *TR
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026