2011 Mercedes-Benz C300 steering problems
34 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the steering on the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300 — 7% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“The electronic steering wheel lock went out causing the car to not start. Upon checking the Internet to see if anyone else was having this problem I found that it was a problem many Mercedes Benz owners have had and it's an expensive one. It's not just with my particular model and it's not limited…”
filed Aug 25, 2025
“I drove vehicle to Publix with no problems. When i tried to start vehicle, key turns but car does not start. There is no cranking sound. I called a mechanic friend and after extensive diagnosis he determined it was the ESL Module which controls the steering. Fortunately i was not driving the…”
filed Jun 12, 2025
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Steering problems in other C300 years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 C300 | 13 | 5% |
| 2015 C300 | 23 | 6% |
| 2014 C300 | 13 | 14% |
| 2013 C300 | 26 | 10% |
| 2012 C300 | 8 | 3% |
| 2010 C300 | 71 | 16% |
| 2009 C300 | 136 | 24% |
| 2008 C300 | 136 | 20% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.