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, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 5, 2015
ON 10/3/2015 THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT A GAS STATION FOR 5 MINUTES. UPON RETURNING TO THE CAR AND ATTEMPED TO SWITCH THE IGNITION ON, THE CAR WONT START. CONTACTED MERCEDES BENZ IN ENGLEWOOD AND THEY OFFERED A ROAD ASSISTANCE ( $80 SERVICE CHARGE ). AFTER WAITING FOR OVER AN HOUR AND HALF THE ROADSIDE TECHNICIAN ARRIVED AND ATTEMPED TO JUMSTART THE VEHICLE WITH NO SUCCESS. HE SAID THAT WITH 25 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WORKING FOR MERCEDES THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WHERE THE VEHICLE WONT RECOGNIZE THE KEY, LOCKING THE STEERING AND CUTTING OFF THE ENGINE POWER TO START UP. HE CONTACTED MERCEDES FOR A TOWING TRUCK TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THIS HAPPENED ON A SATURDAY AND HAVE TO WAIT TIL MONDAY FOR RESULTS. VEHICLE HAS 79,000 MILES ODOMETER READING. THERES MORE THEN 10,000 FEEDBACKS OVER THE INTERNET WITH THE SAME ISSUE. FIX RANGES FROM $500 TO $1500. MERCEDES HAS NOT RECALLED THIS ONGOING COMMON ISSUE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 4, 2015
THE CAR WON'T START WHEN YOU TURN THE KEY. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A MERCEDES MECHANIC AND HE CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG AFTER BEING LOOKED AT FOR A B1 SERVICE. WE THOUGHT THIS WOULD FIX IT. NOW IT WON'T START AGAIN. WHEN TURN THE KEY, EVERYTHING LIGHTS UP AS IF THE CAR IS GOING TO START BUT IT WON'T. IT HAD BEEN STARTING AFTER TURNING THE KEY A FEW TIMES AND EVENTUALLY IT WOULD CATCH. THE PROBLEM STARTED 2 WEEKS AGO, NOW IT WON'T START AT ALL.
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 22, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C350. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING BOX AND THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION SWITCH (EIS) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 4, 2015
MONDAY DROVE CAR TO WORK WITH OUT ANY PROBLEMS. CAME OUT TO GO HOME THAT EVENING AND CAR WOULD NOT START. COULD TURN THE IGNITION COMPLETELY TO THE START POSITION BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT TURN OVER. MY RADIO WORKED, MY POWER SEATS WORKED, TRUNK AND DOORS OPENED WITH THE KEY VIBE. BUT NOTHING HAPPENED FROM THE ENGINE. COME TO FIND OUT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP FOR NO REASON. THEY HAD TO SKATE MY CAR IN ORDER TO GET IT ON THE TRUCK TRUCK. THIS IS A DEFECT AND I'M A WOMAN AND THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED AT NIGHT WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD.
Steering, Electrical system, Sep 3, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Air bags, Sep 2, 2015
SRS MALFUNCTION LEFT SIDE (DRIVER'S SIDE) WARNING. I FOUND THE WARNING GOES AWAY TEMPORARILY WHEN I MOVE THE WIRE GOING INTO THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE AROUND. FROM SOME RESEARCH, I'VE FOUND THAT DEFECTIVE BELT BUCKLES ARE A KNOWN ISSUE ON THIS CAR AND FAILURE IS COMMON WITH AGE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Interior lighting, Sep 1, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS SHORTED OUT REPEATEDLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY REPAIRED THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V177000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING), BUT THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE ANY CONFIRMATION OF THE REPAIR AND THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH DRAINED THE POWER AND BATTERY SOURCE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Aug 22, 2015
TODAY I HAD TO GO TO WORK ANDTRIED TO PUT MY CAR ON, TO MY DISMAY IT WOULD NOT TURN ON. ALL OF THE OTHER ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS WORKED, LIKE MY CAR LOCKING AND UNLOCKING , AND THE RADIO WORKING BUT IT KEPT TELLING ME TO REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION AND IT WOULDNT START. I HAVE DONE ALOT OF REASEARCH AND THERE SEEM TO BE ALOT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM. AND I HOPE WE COULD FIX IT AND HAVE IT RECALLED BECAUSE IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX.
Steering, Aug 19, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. IN ADDITION, AS THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, REMOVE KEY WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Steering, Aug 18, 2015
CAR STEERING LOCK IS BROKEN: PARKED ON A HILL FACING UPHILL AND WHEN I GOT BACK IN MY CAR I COULDN'T START MY ENGINE. LIGHTS, RADIO, DISPLAY ALL WORK FINE, BUT THE ENGINE DOESN'T TURN ON. WINDOWS, HORN, BLINKERS ARE ALL LOCKED. HAD TO GET IT TOWED, DIAGNOSED WITH STEERING LOCK FAILURE. APPARENTLY IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MERCEDES OF MY MAKE AND MODEL.
Steering, Aug 17, 2015
THE CAR DIDN'T TURN ON. I CALLED THE TOWING COMPANY THINKING THAT IT WAS THE BATTERY, BUT THEY CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS NOT THE BATTERY. I TOWED THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC. MY MECHANIC CONFIRMED TODAY THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE STEERING LOCK WHICH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, AND IT COST OVER $1,400. I DID SEARCH THE INTERNET AND THOUSANDS OF THIS MODEL OWNER HAS EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. MERCEDES BENZ SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL IMMEDIATELY.
Steering, Aug 4, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. WHILE IN PARK, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING LOCK ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Steering, Jul 23, 2015
I NEED TO REPLACE THE STEERING LOCK PART AND I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT DOESN'T COVER THIS ITEM WHICH COST FOR THE PARTS IS $1200 WITHOUT LABOR. WAS TOLD BY MERCEDES THAT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS PART AND THAT THEY WILL HAVE TO ORDER THE PART WHICH WILL TAKE SEVERAL DAYS.
Electrical system, Jul 20, 2015
STOP AT GROCERY STORE CAME BACK CAR DID NOT START. ITS THE ELECTRIC STEERING DOES NOT WORK IT COST $1350 TO GET FIXED ITS BEEN HAPPENING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE AND MERCEDES DOES NOT WANT TO DO ANYTHING TO HELP. THANKS!
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Jul 8, 2015
CAR HAD IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. STEERING WHEEL LOCKED TRANSMISSION LOCKED IN PARK. DASH LIGHTS AND DOOR LOCKS OPERATE.CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER.THIS HAS BEEN A LARGE PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES FOR YEARS.THERE SHOULD BE A MANUFACTUER RECALL NOT A CONSUMER EXPENSE. THANK YOU,PLEASE HELP
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 6, 2015
THE CAR HAS A STRONG GAS SMELL INSIDE THE CABIN AND OUTSIDE THE REAR OF THE DRIVER PASSENGER TIRE WELL AREA AND ITS A STRONG SMELL.
Electrical system, Jun 30, 2015
MY CAR WOULD NOT TURN ON, EVENTUALLY FOUND OUT IT WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK MALFUNCTION. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, I FOUND IT IS VERY COMMON ON THE C CLASS. COST OVER $1K TO REPAIR, AND MERCEDES OF USA DECLINED TO COVER ANY OF THE EXPENSE EVEN THOUGH THE ISSUE IS COMMON.
Steering, Electrical system, Jun 30, 2015
I AM ATTEMPTING TO LEAVE OFFICE DEPOT PARKING LOT AND MY CAR WILL NOT START (NO PROBLEM PRIOR TO GOING INTO THE STORE!) I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION THE LIGHTS, RADIO, DASHBOARD ALL COME ON AND I HEAR A CLICKING SOUND. HOWEVER, THE POWER WINDOWS DON'T WORK, NOR THE SUNROOF. AFTER RESEARCHING MOST OF THE NIGHT (COULDN'T REST) AND MOST OF THE DAY, IT APPEARS TO BE THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION SWITCH (EIS) WHICH IS VERY COSTLY! AND THERE ARE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS OVER THE SPAN OF YEARS!!! THE NIGHTMARE STORIES (I HAD DEJA VU...EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUE!) DEFIANTLY ENOUGH COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE THAT YOUR ORGANIZATION SHOULD OPEN AN INVESTIGATION. A DEMAND FOR A RECALL IS NEEDED ASAP!!! PRICE OF REPLACEMENT/REPAIR COULD BE FROM $1,100 TO $2,200....RIDICULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Steering, Jun 24, 2015
THE EIS, AT WORK MY CAR WON'T START HAD TO TOW HOME CAR START AT HOME BUT WHEN TURN OFF CAR WENT BACK TO NOT STARTING. KEY IN IGNITION BUT IT'S LIKE IGNITION WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THE KEY. BAD IGNITION SWITCH STEERING VOLUME ECT.. REPAIR COST $1100 ... VERY PISSED SEEMS LIKE THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WHY HAVEN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL ALREADY.. I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE SOME OF THE COSTING FEE BACK AND KNOW THAT I'M GOOD FOR FUTURE ISSUE WITH THIS ISSUE..
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jun 24, 2015
THEY NEED TO HAVE A RECALL ON ESI IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE .. AND ISSUE RELATED TO THIS ISSUE
Steering, Electrical system, Jun 24, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT FAILED TO START AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Air bags, Jun 23, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE CONTACT VEERED TO THE LEFT IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID ANOTHER VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A POLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WARNINGS FOR ELECTRICAL FAILURE, COMPLETE ENGINE POWER LOSS AND ENGINE SERVICE REQUIRED DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED STERNUM AND NECK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.
Exterior lighting, Jun 9, 2015, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V177000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO PROPERLY ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING CONNECTORS TO THE BULB HOLDERS BURNED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Steering, Jun 8, 2015
I HAVE SEVERAL FRIENDS WITH THE SAME MODEL CAR, WHO HAS HAD THE SAME COMPLAINT! I WAS WONDERING IF THEIR IS A RECALL OF THE STEERING COLUMN PARTS?
Steering, Jun 5, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS ABLE TO GET THE STEERING COLUMN UNLOCKED, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED, AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.