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 unknown steering coupling interlock mechanism recall. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or to…
2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class steering problems
severe 73 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
73
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
3crashes
3injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 73 steering complaints filed for the 2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 73 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 16 model years of Mercedes-Benz C-Class in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-benz c300. While driving approximately 20 MPH, a high-pitched noise was heard from underneath the vehicle. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a lot of power steering fluid leaking. When the contact attempted to make turn, the noise became louder and the steering lost power. The failure was not diagnosed or remedied. The manufacturer was not made…
After parking my car , turned ignition off, did some work for 45 minutes I came back attempting to start the car. The car won’t start, I am not hearing any of the normal sound that usually takes place when I place the key in ignition. Message on dashboard telling me to remove the key. Car will not start. After checking battery and calling mechanic they tell me the my steering wheel lock is bad.…
My 2010 Mercedes c300 has a faulty electronic steering lock fail-which left me stranded sitting in the park lot about 30 minutes from home. Car would not start I tried to start my car and nothing happens. When I turn the key to on nothing lights up, no crank, no clicks, no windows and no radio. I would lock and unlock with the remote but that was about it. I tried jumping and I tried both keys…
Had steering trouble with your 2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
It's a meaningful issue. 73 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 51 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 60,000 and 95,000 miles, with the median around 71,517. A quarter of owners report trouble before 60,000; a quarter make it past 95,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/Mercedes-Benz/C-Class.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.