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.
Tires, Jan 29, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300 EQUIPPED WITH COOPER TIRES, TIRE LINE: VELOZZA ZXV, AND TIRE SIZE: 255/35/R18 (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT AND THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE TIRE READ SEPARATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRES WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,965 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,500.
Electrical system, Jan 20, 2015
THERE NEEDS TO AN INQUIRY INTO THE SENSORS IN THE STEERING ON THE C CLASS MERCEDES. I JUST HAD MY SENSOR GO OUT WITH ONLY 30,152 MILES ON IT GO OUT. AS I HAVE TOLD OF THIS EXPERIENCE TO OTHER AND THE SAME STORY AROUND 30,000 MILES THEY HAD THE SAME ISSUES RESULTING IN THOUSAND DOLLARS IN REPAIRS. *TR
Engine, Jan 19, 2015
NOISE COMING FROM FRONT OF ENGINE. BROUGHT TO A LOCAL MERCEDES BENZ INDEPENDENT SHOP. THEY REPLACED THE BELT TENSIONER, IDLER PULLEYS, AND THE MULTI RIB BELT. WHY WOULD THE BELT TENSIONER CAUSE THE RIB BELT TO RIP WITH ONLY 62K MILES ON THE CAR? *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 17, 2015
INSERTED KEY INTO IGNITION SWITCH. ABLE TO TURN KEY. BUT NO IGNITION LIGHTS COME ON IN ANY POSITION OF THE KEY. DOES NOT START. PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE INTERMITTENT, AS AFTER SEVERAL TRIES IT MAY FUNCTION CORRECTLY WITH INCREMENTAL IGNITION ON SETTINGS AND THEN STARTING. AS THIS IGNITION SWITCH ALSO CONTROLS THE STEERING LOCK, THERE EXISTS THE POSSIBILITY OF THE STEERING BECOMING LOOKED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. HENCE, A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE EXISTS! SHOULD STEERING BECOME LOCKED WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION (AT ANY SPEED) THE CONSEQUENCES ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 16, 2015
COMMON ISSUE ON THIS MODEL AND YEAR. ELECTRICAL IGNITION SYSTEM / ELECTRICAL STEERING LOCK UNIT AND IT'S NOT SOMEHOW A RECALL. *TR
Steering, Dec 30, 2014
YET ANOTHER PERSON WITH A ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK ISSUE. I TRIED TO LEAVE WORK FOR LUNCH BUT WAS MET WITH THAT ISSUE. I HAD TO HAVE AAA TOW ME TO THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY WANT 1200 TO FIX THE PROBLEM....HOW ARE SO MANY OF US EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE BUT MERCEDES ISN'T DOING ANYTHING TO FIX IT! *JS
Steering, Electrical system, Dec 29, 2014
CAR WOULD NOT START. HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER. REPAIR COST 1150 DOLLARS. ONE WEEK WITHOUT CAR. *TR
Steering, Dec 12, 2014
I WENT TO START UP MY CAR IN THE MORNING AND THE KEY WOULD TURN BUT WOULD NOT START THE ENGINE. I KEPT ON GETTING A READING TO REMOVE MY KEY. IT TURNS OUT THAT THE STEERING COLUMN MECHANISM HAS FROZEN UP. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE $1,500 TO GET THE ISSUE REPAIRED. FROM WHAT I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE MODEL AND YEAR OF MERCEDES. I ORIGINALLY THOUGHT MY KEY NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 13, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE WARNING LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V177000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Nov 10, 2014
I HAD AN ISSUE WITH MY CAR 5 MONTHS AGO DUE TO THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN ON. MERCEDES TOLD ME IT WAS THE KEY AND I NEEDED TO PURCHASE A SECOND KEY. IN THE MEAN TIME, I WAS WAITING FOR THE NEW KEY MY OLD KEY WAS ABLE TO GET MY CAR START. AS TIME WENT BY, THE SAME ISSUE HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES CAUSING ME TO LOSE WORK AND LEAVING ME IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WARE. FRIDAY NOVEMBER 7 2014 WAS THE LAST INCIDENT AND I DID NOT GET HOME UNTIL 5 AM WAITING TO A SERVICE TRUCK TO PICK UP MY CAR. THIS TIME THE IGNITION SWITCH IT'S NOT WORKING WITH NONE OF THE KEYS. I HAD TO CALL A MY INSURANCE TO PICK UP THE CAR FOR THE SECOND TIME AND TAKE IT TO A CERTIFIED DEALER TO REPLACE THE IGNITION KEY AND STARING WHEEL DUE TO ITS LOCK. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 29, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V177000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE HOUSING UNIT FOR THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,131.
Steering, Sep 23, 2014
I HAVE OWN A MERCEDES BENZ C300 FOR ALMOST FIVE YEARS AND HAD SOME PROBLEMS BUT NOT MAJOR UNTIL RECENTLY. I WHEN TO LUNCH WITH MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER AFTER COMING BACK INTO THE CAR WE ENDED UP BEING STRANDED FOR SEVERAL HOURS WAITING FOR AN EMERGENCY ROADSIDE SERVICE TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. WE INITIALLY THOUGHT THAT WE RUN OUT OF GAS SINCE MY TANK WAS LOW, SO I ORDER GAS FROM AAA ROAD ASSISTANCE AND ALSO JUMP STAR THE CAR THINKING OF A BATTERY PROBLEM BUT NEITHER SOLVE THE PROBLEM. WE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO TOW THE CAR TO DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES, CA MERCEDES DEALERSHIP. THE NEXT DAY THE SERVICE CONSULTANT CALL ME AND SEND ME AN EMAIL THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK AND THIS IS THE COST TO REPAIR IT $1385.84 . I WAS SHOCKED BECAUSE I TAKE CARE OF MY CAR VERY WELL, I NEVER EXPECTED TO HAVE SUCH A COSTLY REPAIR. I RESEARCH THE PROBLEM AND FOUND OUT THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT MERCEDES BENZ SHOULD LOOK INTO AND TREAT IT AS A RECALL AND NOT AS A WEAR AND TEAR PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 12, 2014
AS I RECENTLY RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR MERCEDES BENZ RECALL #14V-177. I WENT UP TO THE NEAREST LOCATION IN FORT WORTH AND THEY SAID I HAD TO WAIT FOR A "SECOND NOTICE" FOR MY TAILLIGHTS TO BE FIXED. I AM DRIVING ON A BAD BRAKE LIGHT FOR 2 MONTHS AND AS I FOLLOW UP WITH THIS DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID IT WOULD DEFINITELY ARRIVE THE FIRST WEEK OF SEPTEMBER. ITS THE 12TH, NO LETTER, NO FOLLOWUP FROM THESE PEOPLE AND I'M CONCERNED WITH HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE THEY ARE DOING THIS TOO. PLEASE HELP IN ANY WAY AS I HAVE NO LEADS. THANK YOU *TR
Steering, Sep 9, 2014
I WAS LEAVING WORK, CAR WAS PARKED IN THE LOT, KEY WOULD TURN,LIGHTS AND DASH CAME ON, COULD NOT GET THE CARE OUT OF PARK, ONLY CLICKING SOUNDS FROM THE ENGINE. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER, THEY JUST CALLED AND SAID THE STEERING LOCK WAS BAD, REPAIR BILL IS $1100. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 29, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO TURN FROM THE OFF TO ON POSITION. THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE CHIP IN THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE KEYS NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000. UPDATED 10/22/2014*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACED AND OFFERED ASSISTANCE WITH THE COST OF REPAIR ONLY IF THE REPAIR HAD NOT BEEN PAID PREVIOUSLY FOR. UPDATED 4/1/15 *JS
Steering, Power train, Aug 20, 2014
THIS MORNING, CAR WOULD NOT START, MESSAGE ON DASHBOARD TO GO TO THE DEALER, TOOK THE KEY IN & OUT AND, AFTER MULTIPLE TRIES, THE CAR STARTED BUT TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT WORK (STAYED ON PARK), TOOK THE KEY IN & OUT AND FINALLY WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO THE DEALER, STEERING LOCK PROBLEM, THE PART ONLY IS 1 400 $ !!! PROBLEM KNOWN BY MERCEDES BUT THEY NEVER DID ANYTHING ABOUT IT ! DEALER NOT HELPFUL AT ALL. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Aug 18, 2014
I WAS TURNING ON MY MERCEDES BENZ C300 2009, WHEN IT SUDDENLY STATED TAKE YOUR IGNITION, THEREFORE I MADE A PHONE CALL TO MERCEDES BENZ ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. ONCE THE TECHNICIAN ARRIVED HE CLEARLY STATED IT WAS THE STEERING HOWEVER HE STATES THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY WARNING SIGNS. I AM VERY CONFUSED BECAUSE 09 C300 DID NOT HAVE ANY PRIOR WARNINGS, IT ALWAYS TELLS ME EVERYTHING ON THE SCREEN. THIS REPAIR IS AROUND 1000 AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN A RECALL BUT THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT FROM IS FROM CHEVROLET AND THEY DO NOT ACCEPT FROING VEHICLES. I TRULY BELIEVE CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING IT DOES NOT WARN YOU FOR, SPECIALLY SINCE YOU ARE PURCHASING A GERMAN CAR NOT AMERICAN. *TR
Tires, Aug 18, 2014
IN 13 MONTHS AND 9,000 MILES, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 3 CONTINENTAL EXTREME CONTACT DWS TIRES DUE TO BULGING SIDEWALLS. ONE OF THOSE 3 WAS THE FIRST REPLACEMENT ON JULY 15, 2014. THE FIRST BULGING SIDEWALL HAPPENED 12 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THEM. *TR
Power train, Engine, Aug 6, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO CHANGE THE GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE NOR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE MORE THAN ONCE. THE VEHICLE STALLED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND WAS ONLY ABLE TO DRIVEN AT A SPEED OF LESS THAN 20 MPH EACH TIME THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER A THIRD TIME FOR FURTHER INSPECTION, DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000. UPDATED 09/15/14*LJ UPDATED 1/16/15 *JS
Steering, Aug 6, 2014
THE STEERING LOCK ON MERCEDES BENZ 2009 C300 MALFUNCTIONS, MAKING CAR INOPERABLE. DANGER IF OCCURS WHILE DRIVING. KNOWN PROBLEM AND KNOWN ISSUE REPORTED MULTIPLE TIMES. MANUFACTURE DEFECT KNOWN TO MANUFACTURER AND NOT ADDRESSED ACCORDING TO NHTSA - DOT STANDARDS. STANDARDS NOT KNOWN TO BE ENFORCED AT THIS TIME. COSTS TO REPLACE/REPAIR IS APPROXIMATELY $1,180. BE ADVISED: IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT OWNERS OF A MERCEDES BENZ 2009 C300 HAVE THIS WORK COMPLETED PRIOR TO THE STEERING LOCK MALFUNCTIONING. IF NOT DONE SO, IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO THE DRIVER AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Aug 6, 2014
2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300 NEEDS REPLACEMENT OF THE ELECTRIC STEERING LOCK (CODE 6180.57-P-051521), NO WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED CAR WOULD NOT TURN ON. *TR
Wheels, Aug 1, 2014
CPSC: I1470034. 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR WHEELS LOCKED AND THE CAR WENT TO A FULL STOP FROM 45 TO 0 IN VERY FEW SECONDS. *LN
Electrical system, Jul 29, 2014
MY CAR WILL NOT START. BATTERY WAS TESTED AND IS IN GOOD CONDITION. WHEN KEY IS INSERTED THE PANEL SHOWS A MESSAGE SAYING "PLEASE REMOVE KEY". I HAD TO TOW MY CAR TO SERVICE CENTER AND I AM STILL WAITING FOR TECH INFO ON CAUSE OF PROBLEM. I HAVE READ IN NHTSA WEBSITE MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME NATURE. SEEMS THERE IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT ON THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION SYSTEM ON THIS MODELS. TO ME THIS IS A SERIOUS SECURITY ISSUE TO OWNERS. IMAGINE HAVING IT HAPPEN WHILE CAR IS RUNNING... THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND CANNOT BE UNLOCKED IN ANY WAY. CAR DOES NOT EVEN CRANK. WITH STEERING WHEEL LOCKED TOWERS NEED TO HAVE SPECIAL TOOLS TO HANDLE CAR, NOT ALWAYS AVAILABLE. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS ALREADY FILED NHTSA HAS NOT ORDERED A RECALL ON THIS MATTER. ARE THE COMPUTERS ON THIS MODEL PREPROGRAMMED BY MANUFACTURER TO STOP WORKING AFTER CERTAIN TIME? *JS
Exterior lighting, Jul 16, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V177000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED INDICATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE OF WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING TO SCHEDULE THE APPOINTMENT AND REMEDY THE PROBLEM SPECIFIED ON THE RECALL. UPDATED 08/19/14*LJ
Steering, Electrical system, Jul 15, 2014
I WENT OUT TO MY CAR THIS MORNING TO DRIVE TO WORK AND MY CAR WOULD NOT START. THE LIGHTS CAME ON I COULD LOCK AND UNLOCK MY CAR HOWEVER WHEN I PUT THE KEY IN, IT TURN ALL THE WAY BUT IT WOULD NOT CRANK. I CALL MERCEDES BENZ 24 HOUR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT MY BATTERY WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. THE TECHNICIAN EVEN TOLD ME HE NOTICED THAT THIS HAPPENED TO OTHER OWNERS AND THEY DID NOT KNOW WHY IT WAS HAPPENING WITHOUT WARNING. THIS IS SO UNACCEPTABLE. *TR