Mercedes-Benz C300 Steering Problems
Owners have filed 493 complaints with NHTSA about steering problems on the Mercedes-Benz C300 across 14 model years. The 2008 model year has the most (136). The words owners use most often: “steering lock” (31% of reports).
- 493steering complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 13mention a crash
- 13mention an injury
- 8related recalls
- $1,800typical repair cost reported by owners
- 23%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Steering lock: mentioned in 152 of 493 complaints (31%)
- Key ignition: mentioned in 44 of 493 complaints (9%)
- Wheel locked: mentioned in 40 of 493 complaints (8%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical steering repair on the Mercedes-Benz C300 at $1,800, and half of them between $1,650 and $2,100.
Based on 37 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2013–2025), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do steering problems happen?
Based on 335 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 493 complaints, 13 mention a crash, 13 an injury.
Mercedes-Benz C300 steering complaints by model year
| Model year | Steering complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 C300 | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2020 C300 | 2 | 6% | — |
| 2019 C300 | 5 | 7% | 30,253 |
| 2018 C300 | 12 | 12% | 57,000 |
| 2017 C300 | 13 | 6% | 25,000 |
| 2016 C300 | 13 | 5% | 54,405 |
| 2015 C300 | 23 | 6% | 40,000 |
| 2014 C300 | 13 | 14% | 47,582 |
| 2013 C300 | 26 | 10% | 68,031 |
| 2012 C300 | 8 | 3% | 92,000 |
| 2011 C300 | 34 | 7% | 82,000 |
| 2010 C300 | 71 | 16% | 71,517 |
| 2009 C300 | 136 | 24% | 74,200 |
| 2008 C300 | 136 | 20% | 90,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (8)
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
Model years: 2022
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2021-2022 C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL, EClass Coupe/Convertible, CLS, AMG GT 4-doors Coupe, and EQS vehicles with a heated leather steering wheel. Due to a software error in the hand detection control unit, the hands-off detection might not detect when the driver's hands are away from the steering wheel when using the Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC system.
Risk: Deactivated hands-off detection will prevent DISTRONIC system features from functioning, including warnings to grab the steering wheel and calling first responders as part of the Active Emergency Stop Assist, which can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will update the hand detection control unit software for the DISTRONIC system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 6, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2022040010.
Steering
Model years: 2018
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling one 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400 Coupe and one C300 4Matic Coupe. The steering coupling may not have been correctly locked during manufacturing.
Risk: If the steering connection was not properly locked, the mechanical connection between the steering wheel and steering rack may come loose, reducing steering ability and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering coupling and lock it correctly if necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 18, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018120010.
Steering:rack and pinion:rack
Model years: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Mercedes Benz C300, 2017-2019 C300 Cabrio, C300 Coupe, C63 Cabrio, 2015 C63S AMG, 2018-2019 C300, C350e, C63 AMG, C63S AMG Cabrio, 2018 C63 AMG Cabrio, C63 AMG Coupe, C63S AMG, C63S AMG Coupe, E300, E400 Cabrio, E400 Coupe, 2019 CLS450, E450 Cabrio, and E450 Coupe rear-wheel drive vehicles. A locknut in the steering rack may break under high load, possibly causing the steering to become stuck in one position.
Risk: A car that cannot be properly steered has an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering rack, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2019080012.
Steering
Model years: 2013, 2014
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013-2014 C250, C300 4MATIC, GLK250 4MATIC BLUETEC and GLK350 vehicles, 2013 C250 Coupe, C350, C350 4MATIC Coupe, C350 Coupe and C63 AMG Coupe vehicles, and 2013-2015 GLK350 4MATIC vehicles. The steering coupling connecting bolt may have been insufficiently tightened, possibly resulting in a loss of steering.
Risk: A loss of steering can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering coupling connecting bolt, tightening it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Steering:electric power assist system
Model years: 2016, 2017
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016-2017 C300 vehicles. The electrical contacts for the power steering electric motor may not have been properly welded, possibly resulting in a loss of electrical contact.
Risk: A loss of electrical contact will cause the electric power steering assist to deactivate, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric power steering rack, free of charge. The recall began June 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Steering:electric power assist system
Model years: 2016
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2016 C300 4Matic vehicles manufactured November 4, 2015, to March 1, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the electric power steering assist system may shutdown due to a software error.
Risk: If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the electric power steering control unit, free of charge. The recall began January 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Steering:electric power assist system
Model years: 2015
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015 C300 and C400 4matic sedans manufactured January 27, 2014, to December 1, 2014. Due to an error in the electric power steering control unit software, the affected vehicles may have a loss of electric power steering assist.
Risk: If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update the power steering software, free of charge. The recall began in January 15, 2016. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Steering
Model years: 2015
Problem: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2015 C300 4Matic and C400 4Matic vehicles manufactured March 28, 2014, to September 18, 2014. If the steering coupling interlock mechanism is not locked in place, the sliding shaft, which is part of the steering column, could become disengaged from the steering coupling socket due to vibrations, steering thrust, or load feedback from the road surface.
Risk: If the sliding shaft becomes disengaged from the steering coupling socket, the driver may experience noises, steering backlash, and in a worst case, loss of steering control, which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: MBUSA has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the steering coupling interlock mechanism to verify that it is in the locked position, free of charge. The recall began on October 1, 2014. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2014090008.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
After having the airbag recall for my Mercedes done, the Electronic Steering Lock failed and my car would not start and the steering wheel is locked. They said my car was ready to pick up and when I arrived the car was completely inoperable. The MB Dealership in Lynnfield, MA wants $2700 to fix it…
I was driving my car was sputtering or trying to shut off while I press the gas and I let go of the gas and it catches and stayed on. I took it to the dealership and they said they found nothing wrong. May 3rd around 12pm im driving on the freeway and as im getting on the express lane going 60 it…
I am filing this complaint regarding a serious and recurring steering system defect involving my Mercedes-Benz vehicle and Recall Campaign No. [redacted] (steering column defect). Mercedes-Benz corporate representatives provided conflicting information regarding whether the recall repair was…
Experiencing a failed Electronic Steering Lock (ESL). Car wonât crank or start even after verifying battery health and key fob. Symptoms point to a failed ESL, left stranded
The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the vehicle had failed to start after several attempts; however, the infotainment system was turned on. The contact stated that the engine failed to start. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact related the failure to an…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Mercedes-Benz C300s have steering problems?
No. NHTSA has 493 owner complaints about steering for the Mercedes-Benz C300. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Mercedes-Benz C300 steering?
Yes: 8 safety recalls list steering. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix steering problems on the Mercedes-Benz C300?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,800 (half paid between $1,650 and $2,100), from 37 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about steering problems on the Mercedes-Benz C300?
The most frequent phrase is “steering lock”, in 152 of 493 complaints, followed by “key ignition” (44).
Other Mercedes-Benz C300 problems
- Air Bags problems (1,213)
- Electrical System problems (750)
- Engine problems (455)
- Structure problems (380)
- Exterior Lighting problems (310)
- Suspension problems (307)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (261)
- Power Train problems (119)
See all Mercedes-Benz C300 problems.