2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 670 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 2nd highest complaint count among 23 C-Class model years with reports.
Of the 2009 reports, 17 involved a crash and 19 involved a fire. 16 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints
670 reports, newest first.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jun 16, 2017
PARKED CAR, WENT INTO STORE, CAME BACK OUT, STARTED CAR, EBR, ABS AND ESP INOPERATIVE MESSAGE CAME ON ALONG WITH POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION
Air bags, Seat belts, Jun 6, 2017
TAKATA RECALLS, THE VEHICLE STEERING LOCK MODULE GAVE OUT AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS STOP SELLING THE PARTS FOR THIS DUE TO THIS CURRENT UNRESOLVED RECALL HAVING CUSTOMER GO TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE WHICH IS UNFAIR DUE TO EXTRA COST SO MY VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AT ALL.
Air bags, Jun 6, 2017
TAKATA RECALL. I NEED TO IMPORT MY VEHICULE TO CANADA ASAP AND THEY WON'T LET ME DO IT WITH A PENDING RECALL ON IT. I'VE BEEN WAITING 16 MONTHS. WHEN WILL THERE BE A REMEDY/FIX?
Electrical system, May 12, 2017
CAR WILL NOT START AND STEERING COLUMN IS LOCKED. POWER TO THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS BUT NO TURNOVER. LOCAL SHOP COULD NOT REPAIR. TOWED TO MERCEDES DEALER. LIKELY LOOKING AT A ~$2,000 REPAIR FOR EIS RELATED PROBLEM. CAR ONLY HAS ~90K. PURCHASES AS CPO AND BOUGHT EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT HAS ALREADY RUN OUT.
Air bags, May 11, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS), 16V363000 (AIR BAGS), AND 17V017000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, May 4, 2017
TAKATA RECALL - NO PARTS AVAILABLE MORE THAN ONE YEAR AFTER RECALL!
Exterior lighting, May 3, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE TAIL LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE DIMLY AND/OR SHUT OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE LIGHT BULBS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 186,000.
Air bags, May 3, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) AND 17V017000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 29, 2017
THIS 2009 C300 WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP IN JACKSONVILLE FL AS A RETIREMENT GIFT FOR 20 YEARS OF NAVAL SERVICE. ABOUT A YEAR LATER I NOTICED THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS CONTINUOUSLY BLINKING DURING THE DAY. THE NEXT PROBLEM IS WITH THE FRONT HEADLIGHT UNITS EACH TIME A BLUBS BLOWS, IT FUSES EVERYTHING INCLUDING WIRES TOGETHER REQUIRING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT UNIT. THIS HAS HAPPEN THREE TIMES WITH BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT HEADLIGHT UNITS. THE DIFFERENCE IN PRICE IS $28.00 FOR A REPLACEMENT BLUB VISE $600.00 PLUS DOLLARS FOR THE ENTIRE UNIT. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NO PROBLEM CHARGING ME THE COST TO REPLACE A MANUFACTURES DEFECT AND SAFETY ISSUE. THERE SHOULD BE AN IMMEDIATE RECALL OF THIS UNIT.
Electrical system, Apr 27, 2017
I WENT TO WORK AND MY VEHICLE WAS JUST FINE. I LEFT FOR LUNCH BREAK STOPPED AT THE GROCCERY STORE AND WENT HOME WHICH IS JUST A FEW MILES AWAY. I PARKED MY VEHICLE WENT INSIDE TO DROP MY GROCERIES OFF AND EAT LUNCH AND WHEN IT WAS TIME TO RETURN TO WORK MY CAR WOULD NOT START! I WAS SO PISSED OFF! THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN AND THE GEARS WOULD NOT SHIFT AT ALL. I ONLY HAVE 30K MILES ON MY CAR AND ONE OWNER BEFORE ME. I AM THE ONLY DRIVER AND MY CAR IS IN IMPECCABLE SHAPE! I KNOW IT IS NOT THE BATTERY BECAUSE I JUST PUT A BRANDNEW ONE IN JUST 3 MONTHS AGO. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE BECAUSE I SEE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS REPAIR SO IT IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING ISSUE. WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT MY BENZ I FELL IN LOVE WITH THE BRAND. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A AUDI/BMW GIRL BUT VOWED I WOULD NEVER GO BACK UNTIL THIS ISSUE. MERCEDES DOES NOT TREAT IT'S CUSTOMERS RIGHT SO THIS WILL BE MY LAST BENZ! RECALL THIS ISSUE BENZ!
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 25, 2017
SOCKETS FOR THE PARKING LIGHTS ABOVE THE HEADLIGHTS MELTED. KNOWING THAT SOMETHING SIMILAR WAS ADDRESSED WITH THE TAIL LIGHTS, SEEMS TO BE RELATED. THE TAIL LIGHTS MELTED THE CARRIER AND THE CABLES NOW THE SAME IS HAPPENING ON THE FRONT OF THE CAR. I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER OF MB C300 EXPERIENCING A ISSUE. WE ARE CONCERNED THAT OUR CARS CAN CATCH UP ON FIRE.
Steering, Apr 21, 2017
AFTER PARKING CAR AT WORK WHEN I WENT TO STAR VEHICLE IT WILL NIT START OR TURN OVER.THE CAR IS UNDER 80K MILES THIS IS UNACCEPTABLY DISTURBING FOR THISNPROBLEM TO OCCUR WHEN I ONLY DRIVE TO WORK AND HOME DMH THERE SHOULD BE A DISCOUNT FOR THUS ISSUE.
Air bags, Apr 20, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V363000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V081000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Apr 19, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V363000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 06/08/17 *BF *AS
Air bags, Apr 19, 2017
MERCEDES BENZ. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TAKATA AIR BAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD UPDATED 04/19/2017*JS
Engine, Apr 12, 2017
MY CAR HAS 64,522 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED THAT IT HAS BAD CATALYTIC CONVERTERS.
Electrical system, Apr 12, 2017
UNABLE TO START THE CAR. ABLE TO OPERATE LIGHTS AND RADIO, BUT NOTHING ELSE. THERE WAS NO WARNING OF AN ISSUE. BATTERY WAS GOOD. CHECKED ON LINE FOR PROBLEMS WITH STARTING FOR THIS MODEL AND NOTIFIED THE DEALER. CAR WAS IN THE GARAGE AT THE TIME. THIS COULD HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME. UNABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL OR TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. CAR ENDED UP BEING TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY REPLACED THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK. THIS IS NOT THE TYPE OF ISSUE THAT YOU WANT TO HAPPEN TO YOU WHEN YOU ARE AWAY FROM HOME.
Air bags, Apr 12, 2017
2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REPLACEMENT PARTS NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR SRS CONTROL UNIT RECALL NOTICE. *SMD UPDATED 04/12/2017*JS
Electrical system, Apr 9, 2017
ELS/EIS SYSYTEM. MY 2009 C300'S IGNITION/STEERING LOCKED UP. NEITHER KEY WILL WORK. CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. HAVE FOUND 100'S OF THE EXACT SAME FAULTY EQUIPMENT COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE ONLINE. ( HTTP://WWW.ARFC.ORG/COMPLAINTS/2009/MERCEDES/C300/STEERING/PROBLEM.ASPX ). THIS JUST ONE OF MANY COMPLAINT SITES LISTING THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO MY LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY. THEY INFORMED THAT (ONLY) MERCEDES DEALERS CAN REPAIR THE PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE "CODES" REQUIRED & THAT MERCEDES WILL NOT RELEASE THESE CODES AND/OR WILL NOT SUPPLY THE REPLACEMENT PARTS TO "OTHER" GARAGES. I (NOW) HAVE TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED AGAIN TO MERCEDES BENZ. COSTS RANGE (ACROSS USA), FROM $1,100.00 UP TO $3,300.. THE CAR WAS PARKED AND THERE WAS NO "PRIOR" WARNING DISPLAYED ON THE "INSTRUMENT PANEL" WARNING SYSTEM.. WITH ALL THESE EXACT SAME COMPLAINTS, REGARDING THIS EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE REPAIR IS APPARENT THAT THIS IS A "FAULTY" SYSTEM AND WHY THE NHTSA HAS NOT ISSUED A "RECALL" IS BEYOND COMPREHENSION. CONSUMERS DESERVE BETTER WHEN PURCHASING AN AUTO OF SUCH "SUPPOSED" QUALITY.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Apr 7, 2017
THIS VEHICLE HAD A FAILURE UPON START THAT ELIMINATED A NUMBER OF SAFETY FEATURES. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR, I RECEIVED THREE ERRORS THAT THE FOLLOWING WERE DISABLED: ELECTRICAL BRAKE (ABS, EMERGENCY BRAKE, TRACTION CONTROL), CRUISE CONTROL, AND POWER STEERING. LOSS OF THESE MADE THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
Air bags, Mar 31, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V363000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Mar 28, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,076. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Mar 27, 2017
TAKATA RECALL:I AM STILL WAITING FOR THE MERCEDES BENZ COMPANY TO SEND ME NOTIFICATION FOR MY CAR'S AIRBAG TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE MADE REPEATED CALLS AND NEVER GOT A RESPONSE FROM THEM TELLING ME WHEN I CAN BRING IN MY CAR FOR AN AIRBAG REPLACEMENT. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AND WANT THE AIRBAGS REPLACED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Air bags, Mar 25, 2017
TAKATA RECALL; I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR A YEAR TO HAVE MY DEFECTIVE AIR BAG REPLACED AND TO DATE IT IS STILL NOT FIXED AND REPLACED.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Mar 23, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE ENGINE, THE KEY FAILED TO TURN FROM THE OFF TO ON POSITION AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.