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2011 C300 Towed to Dealer: Ignition Switch

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Old 01-21-2013, 08:37 PM
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2009 ML350
Hey all...I'm new here...but having the same issue with my ML350. I just want to know how is it the finest engineered vehicle in the world has a faulty ignition switch?

Old 01-21-2013, 08:40 PM
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Ooops...I see this is for C-class rides. Worry, guess I'm in the right church, wrong pew. But it's all MB and very disappointed that it's not really living up to it's name & reputation.
Old 01-21-2013, 09:06 PM
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merecedes c200k 2009
Key

Here in Dominican Republic i have two friends with w204 kompressor with the same problem, also another friend with a w203 had the same problem
Also me and them (w204) have the burned tailights.
Old 01-21-2013, 11:07 PM
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'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
Originally Posted by JanisJoplin
Ooops...I see this is for C-class rides. Worry, guess I'm in the right church, wrong pew. But it's all MB and very disappointed that it's not really living up to it's name & reputation.
You are but wait, there's more.

MLs have the same EIS and are also failing.

Just last week in a conversation with my MB dealer service manager, he said he had just written up work orders on two EIS failures that very morning and one if them was an ML.

MBUSA is still in the "Hear no evil, see no evil" mode in re:This but I don't see how they can avoid a campaign to fix them all and pay for those previously replaced at customer expense.
Old 01-23-2013, 09:32 PM
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Originally Posted by RLE
You are but wait, there's more.

MLs have the same EIS and are also failing.

Just last week in a conversation with my MB dealer service manager, he said he had just written up work orders on two EIS failures that very morning and one if them was an ML.

MBUSA is still in the "Hear no evil, see no evil" mode in re:This but I don't see how they can avoid a campaign to fix them all and pay for those previously replaced at customer expense.
AMEN...! I am going to write to corporate and this information is verrrry helpful. Thank you.
Old 01-15-2014, 05:37 PM
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W204 C180K 2008

This just happened to me today. Only dash lights on, the key turning in the ignition but no response whatsoever.

I got towed home as it happened after 5pm local time.

Rang the closest dealership to me and they cant look at the car till Monday.

I'm in Dublin and i'm sure this is gonna cost me a kidney and a nut.
Old 01-28-2014, 05:16 AM
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1998 e430
My key is not starting car on occassion

I spent the day with a new girlfriend driving around . Got in the car to start it and the key wouldnt turn took it out giggled it turned not starting repeated car started. Next stop same thing. 3-5 times of taking it out turning it off and on then it starts. all lights nin the dash come on etc. Funny thing is this happened after i bought a key chain to to have my key and after market alarm remote on by themselves. because they were on a key chain of about 15 keys prior thought the weight might mess the ignition up weird o.O Any suggestions besides sell it which im thinking about doing lol 1998 e430 sport 175,000

Last edited by designbygiorgio; 01-28-2014 at 05:26 AM. Reason: adding
Old 01-28-2014, 10:37 AM
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Cost me €863 to fix the ignition switch.
Old 03-04-2014, 12:56 PM
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2009 C300
2009 C300 EIS issue

This just happened to me last night!! Drove to work, no prob, leave from work, not so much!! I leave it locked at my gated work facility, get ready to have it towed the next morning, and bingo, it starts right up.....Really!! I have never had any problem with my car, ever, has 80,000 miles, it's been awesome. New battery last year, so I new that wasn't it, after reading this forum, I figured it out, and I'm a girl!! The exact same thing, dead, but the radio plays, some lights come on, but won't turn over at all. This forum has really helped, I even tried both my keys, no go!! I don't live in a city that has a MB Dealership, so I'm hoping I can call and see it this is something the Bentonville, AR dealership can fix, and if it will be covered. Fingers crossed!!
Old 03-21-2014, 12:14 AM
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In these no start instances- are you all seeing that the car recognizes the key, you can turn the key in the ignition, dash lights illuminate as normal- but the car won't crank?

I have this issue occasionally. Taking the key out and trying again always works (2-3 trys).
Old 03-21-2014, 01:27 AM
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W204
Originally Posted by paulunm
In these no start instances- are you all seeing that the car recognizes the key, you can turn the key in the ignition, dash lights illuminate as normal- but the car won't crank?

I have this issue occasionally. Taking the key out and trying again always works (2-3 trys).
You have a few more weeks before it's dead....been there done that...
Old 03-31-2014, 09:58 PM
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Originally Posted by caligreenzzz
You have a few more weeks before it's dead....been there done that...
Yeah, seems that way. Possibly getting worse...

Anyone experienced the car starting briefly then dying after a second or so? That happens even less frequently. Once every 2 months...
Old 04-01-2014, 07:36 AM
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2013 W204, 2015 X204
I really think the ignition is a safety matter. If there is even a slight chance the car might shut off while being driven, or if the car might leave you stranded because it won't start, I'd think that's a recall right there.

MB should contact GM and see how they are liking all the press about bad ignitions.
Old 11-09-2014, 02:18 PM
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C300
ignition switch 2009 C300

I am having the same issues as the rest of you, with my "ignition switch" not working.
I have a 2009 Mercedes C300 with 60,000 miles.


This is a big problem, because multiple people are having the same issues with their ignition switch and Mercedes is not recognizing that there is a problem. This problem it's costing drivers thousands of dollars and creating additional problems with their vehicles.


I think it's time that we all work together to help Mercedes recognized that they are having an issue with their ignition switches and they need to take ownership of this problem.


Does any one know the steps to proceed with this request to Mercedes?
Old 11-09-2014, 08:30 PM
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Originally Posted by luigicampos
I am having the same issues as the rest of you, with my "ignition switch" not working.
I have a 2009 Mercedes C300 with 60,000 miles.


This is a big problem, because multiple people are having the same issues with their ignition switch and Mercedes is not recognizing that there is a problem. This problem it's costing drivers thousands of dollars and creating additional problems with their vehicles.


I think it's time that we all work together to help Mercedes recognized that they are having an issue with their ignition switches and they need to take ownership of this problem.


Does any one know the steps to proceed with this request to Mercedes?
If you wanted reliability you should not purchase a Mercedes. A Hyundai or a Toyota product will fulfill that ambition, at a much cheaper price. Ever since MB started the C Class concept reliability has never been one of their aims. The W203 models were considered in their day to be the most unreliable car available on the market.

The W204 was supposed to have taken care of these problems but time has shown they are just a big a clunker as their predecessors.
My next car is going to be a Toyota.
Old 11-10-2014, 10:58 AM
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File a complain with NHTSA. http://www.nhtsa.gov/

The same thing happened with the dim tail lights issue. Many of us complained to NHTSA and Mercedes finally announced a recall.
Old 11-10-2014, 12:29 PM
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Ignition key

Thank you. I will make a complained. I hope everyone does the same.

Originally Posted by ecarrot
File a complain with NHTSA. http://www.nhtsa.gov/

The same thing happened with the dim tail lights issue. Many of us complained to NHTSA and Mercedes finally announced a recall.
Old 11-10-2014, 02:46 PM
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C300
Ignition key

Everyone please make sure to let friends and family with the ignition switch problem know, that they need to file a report with Safercar.gov We need 1000 people and 100 signatures base in my research for Mercedes to give us our $$$$$ back and get the issue resolve. Do it fast if you want your money back and don't want to pay again for the same issue in the future.

Originally Posted by luigicampos
Thank you. I will make a complained. I hope everyone does the same.
Old 06-08-2015, 09:20 AM
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E 55
getting it towed to the dealer

I have same symptoms and getting the car towed the dealership today.
Old 06-08-2015, 03:19 PM
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2008 c300
2008 c300 won't start!!! tried jumpstarting with no success!

car: 2008 mb c300

the car is not starting. the key doesn't lock/unlock. no dashboard no lights no window function no seat function no radio. nothing.

tried jumpstarting with no suceess BUT when connected the headlights came on, the power seats works, with luck the dashboard might come on. everything else still dont work. when you put the key in you can here the steering column unlock. so im assuming its not the the EIS problem (which i had one replace about 1.5 years ago)

I just brought it to the dealership. It is going to diagnostic as I'm typing this. The SA think that the electrical board might be fried under the front driver side, because it is wet. But the car stop working before it got wet. And the only reason it was wet its because i couldn't close the window (somehow it opened a little crack during jumpstart but won't work after)

SA told me if it is the electrical board thats fried its going to cost me a fortune. But it doesn't make sense to me because it stopped working before it got wet. To be honest, the floor were in wetter conditions during a couple of blizzards this part winter and it was fine.

I really hope its not the electrical board and probably just a weak battery (since its time to change it (i haven't changed it since I got the car 7 years ago))

IF anyone know what it can possibly be would be great!!!!
Old 07-09-2015, 04:51 PM
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2008 C300 luxury sport 4matic, C280 2000 sport
https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/Vehicl...nt/index.xhtml
If it is EIS and not under warranty, $1000 at least. Even if is under warranty please fill out a complaint, for those of us out of warranty, MB needs to pay for this, it's a faulty part.
Old 07-29-2015, 04:23 PM
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2008 C350
EIS -ELECTRONIC IGNITION SWITCH

I had same issue...had car towed to dealer they diagnosed it $125. cost to repair $1200-$1700....electronic ignition switch needs to be replaced ..CAN ONLY BE REPAIRED BY MERCEDES DEALER....
2008 C350 .....I called all around Georgia metro area.....found Mercedes Benz Techs.....hopefully they'll be able to get me running again
Originally Posted by Aggressive
Hey all,

I wanted to put this post together for everyone because this seems to be a common issue with Mecedes-Benz. In short, I believe that the ignition switch
is bad.

Last night I went to the grocery store. My 2011 C300 started up fine and I drove to the store. I jump in the car to leave the store, insert & turn key, ........no response....no radio.....no idiot lights......nothing but the center of the speedo lighting up showing the display of time, temp, and mileage.

My first response was to go back into the store, purchase a new battery for my key and give that a try. No success....this made no difference.

My second response was to have my wife bring me my spare key. No success....this did not work either.

Hmmm.....What now?? ........I call Mercedes Roadside. Its 8:30 a night but they send out a tech for a jump start. (Clearly obvious to me that this would not work) However, I go to through the motions to follow their procedure.
Its a "no go" and tech states the car needs to be towed.

9:15PM - Flat Bed Tow truck shows up. Can't get car out of Park and he(nor I) want to drag the car onto the truck. 2nd truck comes with Dollies(Pretty Cool!!) Success, 10:30 PM I finally get to go home.

Mercedes-Benz is diagnosing at this time but they only have one of my keys and are requesting the other to fully diagnose the issue. I told them the problem is not with they keys. They don't have a loaner car available to me so I can't even go home to get the key. I got a ride with a co-worker this morning.

I will keep you posted on the progress. Anyone else have ignition switch problems??
Old 07-29-2015, 08:35 PM
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2008 C300 luxury sport 4matic, C280 2000 sport
My Mercedes guy, not a dealership, did it for $1100 parts run over$600 and must be bought from a dealership. The faulty motor is just about half the size of the pre 2008 model. If it is all locked up they have to pull the whole steering column....just really stupid for a $10 motor. Cutting corners just sucks.
Old 07-30-2015, 02:27 AM
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2011 C300 Sport Calcite White / Black Anthracite
Originally Posted by Physicsmike
My Mercedes guy, not a dealership, did it for $1100 parts run over$600 and must be bought from a dealership. The faulty motor is just about half the size of the pre 2008 model. If it is all locked up they have to pull the whole steering column....just really stupid for a $10 motor. Cutting corners just sucks.
So, is the replacement EIS a new design and better or is it prone to failure as well? Wondering if it is better to replace the EIS now, if the replacement is "better", vs wait for the EIS to fail at the most inopportune time.

Last edited by GMTB; 07-30-2015 at 08:12 PM.
Old 07-30-2015, 06:46 AM
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2008 C300 luxury sport 4matic, C280 2000 sport
I don't know. Someone else posted a picture of the part broken open, pre and post 2008, but not the replacement part opened up. Less complicated replacing it before it "locks up" but the part alone is around $600. Fairly expensive gamble, but it's a hassle when it happens at a most in opportune time.


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