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.
Air bags, Mar 19, 2017
TAKATA RECALL- I HAVE TWO RECALLS THAT ARE BOTH DANGEROUS AND NOT BEING ADDRESSED. THE FIRST RECALL WAS FEB 2016 AND THE SECOND ONE IN MAY 2016. I KEEP GETTING TOLD THERE IS NOT A FIX READY BUT THER IS A POSSIBLE RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH IF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY. CONSIDERING THE AIRBAGS ARE A " SAFETY FEATURE" THIS IS COUNTER INTUITIVE.
Air bags, Mar 13, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V017000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V081000 (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 05/23/17 *BF THE CONTACT HAS TRADED IN THE VHEICLE TO DEALER. *AS
Air bags, Mar 13, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) AND 17V017000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, 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. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Mar 7, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (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.
Engine, Feb 26, 2017
ENTERED MY PARKED CAR ON 2.9.2017. BEFORE FULLY STARTING ENGINE, "CHECK-ENGINE" INDICATOR ON DASHBOARD CAME ON. TOOK IN TO DEALERSHIP ON 2.13.2017. WAS TOLD THAT THERMOSTAT HAD CRACKED/FAILED. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 56,000 MILES, AND THIS IS A MERCEDES-BENZ. HOW COULD SUCH A CRITICAL PART FAIL SO SOON IN A VEHICLE OF THIS QUALITY? PAID $700+ TO REPAIR (BILL ATTACHED).
Structure, Feb 24, 2017
DRIVER'S SIDE INTERIOR DOOR-OPENING LATCH/HANDLE HAS DISENGAGED SO THAT I CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. IN ORDER TO OPEN THE DOOR, I MUST OPEN THE WINDOW AND REACH OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE TO ENGAGE THE EXTERIOR DOOR LATCH/HANDLE. THIS IS TIME-CONSUMING AND COULD BE QUITE DANGEROUS SHOULD I NEED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE QUICKLY. IT HAPPENED SUDDENLY AFTER I HAD RETURNED HOME AND PARKED. I WAS ABOUT TO EXIT AND THE LATCH JUST GAVE UP WHEN I TRIED TO ENGAGE IT. I FOUND SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ONLINE WITH OWNERS STATING THAT THE INTERIOR DOOR LATCH/HANDLE (INNER PART) IS MADE OF VERY CHEAP PLASTIC.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Seats, Feb 1, 2017
SECOND WARNING REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL WIRING REGARDING THE FRONT HEAD LAMPS. THE WIRING IS BURNING UP AND IT WILL CAUSE A FIRE WITH DEADLY CONSEQUENCES. THIS CAR HAS HAD A RECALL BEFORE REGARDING THE WIRING OF THE BACK STOP LIGHTS, IF NOTHING IS DONE THERE WILL BE A FIRE. THE SEAT (FRONT) COVERING IS PEELING OFF, CO. SAYS ITS NORMAL. THIS IS MY 2ND REPORT AND THE SMOKE IS GETTING HEAVIER ALL THE TIME AND IT IS AFFECTING THE COMPUTER OF THE CAR FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE IS ALWAYS PICKING UP CHILDREN WITH MY WIFE. VERY DIFFICULT TO GET PHOTO, BUT IS VISIBLE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE FRONT HEAD LIGHTS. THERE HAS BEEN NO FIRE YET BUT THERE IS SMOKE.
Air bags, Jan 20, 2017
"TAKATA RECALL" OVER 1 YEAR SINCE ORIGINAL NOTICES WENT OUT - RECALL NOTICE SAYS PARTS ARE NOT YET AVAILABLE - OPEN.
Air bags, Jan 19, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V081000 AND 16V363000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. 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 07/31/17 *BF *CN
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Jan 19, 2017
COMMON AND KNOWN ISSUE WITH M BENZ C300 EIS/ELS/STEERING COLUMN. CAR ENGINE JUST DIES AND WILL NOT START DUE TO ELECTRICAL COMPONENT MALFUNCTION. AN EXPENSIVE, POSSIBLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT HAS NOT BEEN RECOGNIZED BY MERCEDES-BENZ IT APPEARS FROM THE OTHER COMMENTS ON THIS FORUM AND OTHERS. MY 2009 C300 WAS RUNNING FINE. I MAINTAIN REGULAR SERVICE. STOPPED TO GRAB LUNCH. FORTUNATELY, I WAS NOT IN MOTION OR IN A DANGEROUS AREA OR IN THE MIDDLE OF NIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. THE CAR WOULD NOT RE-START, YET THE LIGHTS, RADIO, PANEL ALL APPEARED TO BE WORKING, ALTHOUGH "REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION" MESSAGE APPEARED. THOUGHT IT COULD BE A BATTERY OR ALTERNATOR ISSUE. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO 2 DIFFERENT PLACES, THE LAST OF WHICH WAS THE MBENZ DEALERSHIP OVER AN HOUR AWAY. THIS OCCURRED AT 80K MILES ON ODOMETER. A MAJOR SAFETY AND POSSIBLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I THOUGHT THE MB BRAND WAS ABOUT RELIABILITY, QUALITY, SAFETY. SO DISAPPOINTED. MANUFACTURER'S DEFECTIVE PRODUCT.
Air bags, Jan 11, 2017
TAKATA RECALL - NO REMEDY IN A TIMELY MANNER. I HAVE A LONG COMMUTE AND EVERY DAY I AM IN FEAR FOR MY LIFE, MY APPEARANCE, AND MY EYES AND OTHER SENSES BEING DAMAGED BY FLYING SHRAPNEL. I AM AN EMOTIONAL WRECK AND WANT THIS REMEDIED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, PARTICULARLY WITH HOW DANGEROUS THE ROADS AND DRIVERS ARE ON MY COMMUTE. PLEASE FIX AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I'D RATHER HAVE NO AIRBAG THAN THIS "TIME BOMB OF SHRAPNEL" WAITING TO GO OFF! HOW COME OTHER CAR COMPANIES ARE REPLACING THE AIRBAGS, BUT NOT MERCEDES?
Air bags, Dec 29, 2016
"TAKATA RECALL" ACCORDING TO TAKATA, IN THE EVENT OF AN INFLATORRUPTURE, METAL FRAGMENTS COULD PASS THROUGH THE AIR BAG CUSHION MATERIAL, WHICH MAY RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS. MERCEDES BENZ DID NOT REPLACED MY AIR BAGS. SOMETHING NEED TO BE DONE! I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED AND FRUSTRATED!
Steering, Dec 29, 2016
I HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME ISSUES LIKE OTHER MERCEDES BENZ OWNERS. MY CAR SUDDENLY NOT STARTING AND THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT UNLOCK. I CALLED AAA, THEY SENT OUT A BATTERY TRUCK. THE GUY TRIED TO JUMP IT AND IT DID NOTHING. THEN THEY TOWED IT TO THE MB DEALER. THEY CALLED ME THIS MORNING AFTER THEY TESTED IT AND SAID THE ELECTRIC STEERING LOCK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER CHARGED ME $1212. I AM REALLY FRUSTRATED.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 24, 2016
THE WIRING TO THE HEAD LAMBS (BOTH) ARE BURNING UP, CAUSING A BURNT SMELL IN THE CAR, COMPANY SAYS TO BUY NEW HEAD LAMPS. THE ELECTRIC WIRE SYSTEM IN THE CAR HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE THE BEGINNING. EVIDENTLY THE HEAT IN THE MOTOR AREA IS TO MUCH FOR THE QUALITY OF THE WIRING COVERS AND THEY CAUSE LAMP BURN OUT,AND BURN THE PLASTIC WIRE COVERING. CAR IS USED FOR PLEASURE HAS VERY FEW MILES. VERY HARD TO TAKE A PICTURE , TECH HAD A HARD TIME GETTING TO IT.
Electrical system, Dec 12, 2016
ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK FAILURE COMMON PROBLEM
Air bags, Dec 8, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE VEERING LEFT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT TIGHTENED. THE PARAMEDICS ARRIVED AND ASSISTED IN REMOVING THE PASSENGER FROM THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. ONE INJURY WAS SUSTAINED, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V363000 (AIR BAGS), 15V711000 (AIR BAGS), AND 16V081000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Seats, Dec 3, 2016
SRS LIGHT. CAUSING AIRBAG MALFUNCTION PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT
Air bags, Seat belts, Dec 2, 2016
TAKATA INFLATORS: THEY SENT ME A LETTER BACK IN MAY 2016 AND IN AUGUST 2016 STATING THAT BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS ARE DEFECTING. THERE STILL HAS BEEN NO RESOLUTION REGARDING THIS AND ACCORDING TO TAKATA, IF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY OR IF THEY DO NOT COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. I AM DRIVING MY MERCEDES AROUND AND SCARED TO DEATH THAT THEY MAY OR MAY NOT PLOY AND COULD KILL MY FAMILY OR I. SRS CONTROL UNIT: MAY CORRODE AND CAUSE CONTROL UNIT MALFUNCTION. THIS IS STILL NOT RESOLVED ON MY VEHICLE AND THE LETTER WAS SENT OUT IN MARCH 2016. *TR
Steering, Dec 2, 2016
THIS CAR IS PURCHASED USED IN MARCH OF 2016 HAS NOT GIVEN ME ANY PROBLEMS STARTING UNTIL NOVEMBER 26. THE CAR WOULD NOT START OR EVEN "CLICK" AT ALL THIS DAY. HAS TO BE TOWED TO MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO FIX THE ISSUE AND IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP. THEY FOUND THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK NEEDS TO BE FIXED AND POSSIBLY THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION SYSTEM. THESE ARE VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX. THESE ARE ALSO KNOWN ISSUES WITH THIS SPECIFIC MODEL. MANY OTHER MERCEDES-BENZ'S OWNERS HAVE HAD TO FIX THE SAME ISSUE AND MERCEDES HAS YET TO DO A RECALL OR ANYTHING TO RESOLVE THE KNOWN PROBLEM. I NOW HAVE A CAR THAT CANNOT BE USED. IT IS UNDRIVEABLE. IT WILL NOT START.
Steering, Electrical system, Nov 28, 2016
THE CAR WILL NOT START, FROM STATIONARY. IT WAS PARKED THERE 10 MINUTES AGO. TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT HAS A BAD ESL (ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK). THE REPAIR BILL OVER $1300.00. THE ISSUE HAS BEEN WIDELY REPORTED AND SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. MERCEDES BENZ SHOULD COVER THIS COST.
Electrical system, Nov 22, 2016
WENT TO GET IN MY CAR TO GO HOME. ONCE I PUT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION AND TURN IT, NOTHING HAPPENS. THE STEERING WHEEL REMAINS LOCKED, AND THE CAR WILL NOT START. I CAN HEAR THE STEERING LOCK CLICK, BUT NOT UNLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL AS SOON AS I PUT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION.
Steering, Nov 2, 2016
ON 21 OCT 16 I WENT OUT OF TOWN AND SHOPPING AT A LOCAL MALL WHILE THERE. I CAME OUT OF THE MALL AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I COULD READ THE TIME, SEE THE MILEAGE, AND TEMPERATURE ON THE GAUGE; HOWEVER, THE CAR REFUSED TO START. AAA CAME AND THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY BUT THAT WAS NOT THE CASE. AFTER 3 HOURS OF SITTING IN A PARKING LOT IN ATLANTA A TOW TRUCK ARRIVED. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO NEUTRAL SO I HAD TO WAIT ANOTHER 2 HOURS FOR ANOTHER TYPE OF TRUCK. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED IT AS STEERING LOCK ISSUE. I ASKED THAT THE CAR BE TOWED TO A LOCAL MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP AND HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC COMPLETED AGAIN. MERCEDES BENZ OF MARIETTA "CLAIMED" TO HAVE DONE A DIAGNOSTIC BUT FOUND NOTHING. I ASKED FOR A COPY OF THE DIAGNOSTIC MERCEDES BENZ OF MARIETTA HAD RUN AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO ASSIST. SEE ATTACHED EMAIL. TO-DATE, MERCEDES BENZ HAS BEEN NONRESPONSIVE TO THE STEERING LOCK ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR/MODEL CAR; DESPITE KNOWLEDGE THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON REPEATEDLY. MARTY, AT MY LOCAL MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP STATES THEY HAVE TO REPLACE A STEERING LOCK AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH WITH REPAIR COST RANGING FROM $1200-$1700 PER CAR. THIS WILL BE MY FIRST AND LAST MERCEDES AND BECAUSE OF THEIR POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE AND LACK OF RESPONSIVENESS TO THIS ISSUE I COULD NOT EVEN REFER FRIENDS/FAMILY TO THEM.
Steering, Nov 2, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WAS LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WERE NO FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATED TO THE STEERING LOCK ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 26, 2016
I PARKED THE CAR, AND TURNED IT OFF COMPLETELY. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE CAR, THEY KEY FOB WOULD ONLY TURN THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS ON, BUT THE CAR WILL NOT START. THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED, AND I CANNOT CHANGE THE GEAR FROM "P". A MESSAGE WOULD APPEAR "REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION" WHENEVER THE DOOR IS OPEN. I HAVE SEARCHED AND IT APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN THESE MODELS, WHERE THE EIS OR ESL FAILS FOR NO REASON. THE QOUTES FOR THIS REPAIR RANGE FROM $1000 TO $3000. I HAD TO TOW THE CAR TO MY APARTMENT, AND NOW I HAVE TO TOW THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO CAN SOLVE THIS ISSUE AND REPROGRAM IT AFTER INSTALLING THE NEW PARTS.
Air bags, Service brakes, Engine, Oct 26, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000. UPDATED 02/21/17*LJ UPDATED 9/5/18*JB