RoadVitals

2009 Mercedes-Benz C Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
14
Latest Feb 10, 2014
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
12
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2009 Mercedes-Benz C, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Exterior lighting419.0%
  • Transmission314.3%
  • Electrical314.3%
  • Brakes29.5%
  • Steering29.5%
  • Seat belts14.8%
  • Airbags14.8%
  • Visibility14.8%
  • Driver assistance14.8%
  • Engine14.8%
  • Other / unspecified14.8%
  • Powertrain (other)14.8%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE WIRES WITHIN BOTH OF MY HEADLIGHTS OF MY 2009 MERCEDES C300 HAVE THEIR INSULATION SO DETERIORATED THAT THE WIRES ARE FULLY EXPOSED. THIS ISSUE CAUSES THE LIGHTS TO CUT IN AND OUT WITHOUT WARNING WHICH HAVE OCCURRED DURING HIGHWAYS SPEEDS AND OR RURAL AREAS IN PUERTO RICO. THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION IS NOT BEING TAKEN CARE OF BY THE MANUFACTURER WITH VARIOUS ATTEMPTS TRIED. *TR

NHTSA ID 10562864 · filed Feb 4, 2014

LIGHTS IN THE BACK RIGHT PANEL ARE NOT WORKING.... GOT MESSAGE STATING THEY WERE OUT....CHECKED THEM AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTION IS BURNED AND LOOKS LIKE WIRES ARE FRIED. *TR

NHTSA ID 10556638 · filed Dec 19, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES C350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED, THE TRANSMISSION SURGED FORWARD AT A HIGH RATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32000.

NHTSA ID 10340967 · filed Jul 1, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. WHENEVER THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE I WOULD VIOLENTLY SWITCH INTO GEAR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SLIGHTLY SURGE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON THIRTEEN DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WHERE SEVERAL DIFFERENT PARTS HAVE BEEN SERVICED ON THE TRANSMISSION;HOWEVER THE CONTACT IS STILL EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAS NOTICED THE FAILURE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 14000.

NHTSA ID 10313318 · filed Feb 23, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

LIGHTS IN THE BACK RIGHT PANEL ARE NOT WORKING.... GOT MESSAGE STATING THEY WERE OUT....CHECKED THEM AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTION IS BURNED AND LOOKS LIKE WIRES ARE FRIED. *TR

NHTSA ID 10556638 · filed Dec 19, 2013

THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS ON MY MB C350 SHOWS SIGNS OF A BURNING/MELTING ON THE CONNECTOR. I INITIALLY RECEIVED A NOTICE ON MY DASH THAT THE RIGHT REAR BULB WAS BAD AND NOT WORKING. I CHECKED THE CONNECTORS AND IT SHOWED SIGNS OF MELTING/BURNING. AFTER ADJUSTING THE WIRES, THE LIGHTS WOULD WORK UNTIL THE CAR WOULD HIT A BUMP AND I WOULD HAVE TO AGAIN RESET THE WIRES. *TR

NHTSA ID 10525200 · filed Jul 16, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DIM LEFT STOP LIGHT. MELTED PLUG. MERCEDES BENZ C300 2009 W204. *TR

NHTSA ID 10551868 · filed Nov 12, 2013

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING SEVERAL COMPUTER DEFECTS. WHILE PARKED ON A HILL AND ATTEMPTING TO PLACE THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL FORWARD INSTEAD OF BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL FORWARD APPROXIMATELY ONE FOOT AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. DURING THIS TIME, THE STEERING WOULD LOCK AND THE BRAKES WOULD LOSE POWER. IT WOULD TAKE TREMENDOUS FORCE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER COULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIRS. THERE WERE NO RECALLS AVAILABLE. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN PERFORMED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 7,000.

NHTSA ID 10272853 · filed Jun 4, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY DAUGHTER WAS IN A CRASH TODAY ON MAY 16, 2009 SHE WAS DRIVING MERCEDES 2009 C300 AND SHE SAID THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK SUDDENLY BEFORE SHE CRASH, SHE WAS DRIVING ONLY AT 15MPH THAT WHY THE IMPACT WAS NOT SO SEVERE, WE ARE VERY LUCKY THAT SHE JUST HAS MINOR INJURIES. *TR

NHTSA ID 10268930 · filed May 17, 2009

I BOUGHT A NEW 2009 MB C300 FOR MY WIFE LAST NOVEMBER, LESS THAN THREE MONTH LATER, ITS POWER STEERING QUITTED TO WORK WITHOUT ANY MALFUNCTION SIGN. IT WILL TAKE A PROFESSIONAL WRESTLER TO GET IN AND OUT ITS PARKING PLACE. THIS IS NOT THE WORST PART YET. AFTER NUMEROUS FAILED ATTEMPTS TRYING TO CONTACT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF MY DEALER, I DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALER THAT IS 40 MILES AWAY FROM MY HOUSE. ONLY THING THEY DID TO THE CAR WAS THAT A SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE OPENED THE HOOD AND ADDED SOME FLUID, WHICH LATE TURNED OUT TO BE USELESS. HE WANTED ME TO SET A SERVICE APPOINTMENT THAT WAS 15 DAYS LATER. I WAITED ALMOST TWO HOURS TRYING TO GET SOMEBODY TO TEST DRIVE MY CAR AND TELL ME IF IT'S SAFE TO DRIVE, WHICH THEY NEVER DID. RIGHT NOW, THE ONLY THING I CAN DO IS TO LOOK AT MY WORLD RENOWNED LUXURY SEDAN C300 MADE BY SUPERIOR GERMAN TECHNOLOGY SITTING IN MY CAR POT. WHAT A JOKE! *TR

NHTSA ID 10258305 · filed Feb 11, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHERE I WAS RUN OFF THE ROAD AND INTO A CENTER MEDIAN STEEL BARRIER. MY MERCEDES C300 IS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP) AND ACTIVE SEATBELT RESTRAINTS (BOTH OF WHICH FAILED IN THE CRASH). THE ROADS WERE SLICK, HOWEVER, WHEN A CAR SWERVED OVER ON ME AND I ATTEMPTED TO HIT THE BRAKES TO AVOID BEING HIT, MY CAR BEGAN TO FISH-TAIL AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AT THE TIME, A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING (POST-CRASH) THAT MY ESP MALFUNCTIONED. IN ADDITION, UPON IMPACT, MY SEAT RESTRAINED ME, HOWEVER, WHEN THE CAR BOUNCED BACK INTO THE CENTER OF THE HIGHWAY, THE SEATBELT CAME COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM WHERE IT'S HOLDER (WHERE YOU CLICK IT IN). THE REST OF THE SAFETY FEATURES WORKED (AIRBAGS, ACTIVE HEAD-REST RESTRAINTS, STEEL FRAMING, ETC.) HOWEVER, IF THE ESP FAILED OR MALFUNCTION, THEN THERE WAS NO POSSIBLE WAY TO PREVENT THE ACCIDENT BASED ON THE VEHICLES FAILURE TO DELIVER IN A PANICKED SITUATION. THE MERCEDES ESP PROGRAM IS SUPPOSE TO ENABLE THE DRIVER THE ABILITY TO CORRECT THE VEHICLE FROM OVERSTEER (FISH-TAILING) IN CRITICAL SITUATIONS, AND IT DID NOT DO SO. AT THE TIME, I WAS TRAVELING AT 55 MPH. THE BRAKE-ASSIST PROGRAM HELPED TO DECELERATE THE VEHICLE MINIMALLY, AND I SLAMMED INTO THE GUARDRAIL AROUND 50-55 MPH. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE ESP AND SEATBELT FAILED IN THIS CRASH. I'M VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE SURVIVED THIS ACCIDENT. TOOK PICTURES FOR EVIDENCE, AND PLAN TO GO BACK TO THE CAR UPON REVIEW BY THE MERCEDES ACCIDENT SPECIALIST TO ACCESS WHY THERE WAS AN EVIDENT FAILURE IN BOTH OF THESE SAFETY FEATURES (CRITICAL TO PREVENTING SUCH AN ACCIDENT)! *TR

NHTSA ID 10257668 · filed Feb 6, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

MY DAUGHTER WAS IN A CRASH TODAY ON MAY 16, 2009 SHE WAS DRIVING MERCEDES 2009 C300 AND SHE SAID THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK SUDDENLY BEFORE SHE CRASH, SHE WAS DRIVING ONLY AT 15MPH THAT WHY THE IMPACT WAS NOT SO SEVERE, WE ARE VERY LUCKY THAT SHE JUST HAS MINOR INJURIES. *TR

NHTSA ID 10268930 · filed May 17, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I PURCHASED A C300 IN APRIL 2009, WITHIN A FEW DAYS I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE DRIVER SIDEVIEW MIRROR. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE SALESMAN THAT SOLD ME THE CAR TOOK CARE OF ARRANGING THE REPAIR. THEY HAD TO ORDER THE MIRROR AND GAVE ME A LOANER. I WAS NEVER GIVEN AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHAT CAUSED THE CRACK. *TR

NHTSA ID 10282986 · filed Sep 6, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHERE I WAS RUN OFF THE ROAD AND INTO A CENTER MEDIAN STEEL BARRIER. MY MERCEDES C300 IS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP) AND ACTIVE SEATBELT RESTRAINTS (BOTH OF WHICH FAILED IN THE CRASH). THE ROADS WERE SLICK, HOWEVER, WHEN A CAR SWERVED OVER ON ME AND I ATTEMPTED TO HIT THE BRAKES TO AVOID BEING HIT, MY CAR BEGAN TO FISH-TAIL AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AT THE TIME, A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING (POST-CRASH) THAT MY ESP MALFUNCTIONED. IN ADDITION, UPON IMPACT, MY SEAT RESTRAINED ME, HOWEVER, WHEN THE CAR BOUNCED BACK INTO THE CENTER OF THE HIGHWAY, THE SEATBELT CAME COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM WHERE IT'S HOLDER (WHERE YOU CLICK IT IN). THE REST OF THE SAFETY FEATURES WORKED (AIRBAGS, ACTIVE HEAD-REST RESTRAINTS, STEEL FRAMING, ETC.) HOWEVER, IF THE ESP FAILED OR MALFUNCTION, THEN THERE WAS NO POSSIBLE WAY TO PREVENT THE ACCIDENT BASED ON THE VEHICLES FAILURE TO DELIVER IN A PANICKED SITUATION. THE MERCEDES ESP PROGRAM IS SUPPOSE TO ENABLE THE DRIVER THE ABILITY TO CORRECT THE VEHICLE FROM OVERSTEER (FISH-TAILING) IN CRITICAL SITUATIONS, AND IT DID NOT DO SO. AT THE TIME, I WAS TRAVELING AT 55 MPH. THE BRAKE-ASSIST PROGRAM HELPED TO DECELERATE THE VEHICLE MINIMALLY, AND I SLAMMED INTO THE GUARDRAIL AROUND 50-55 MPH. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE ESP AND SEATBELT FAILED IN THIS CRASH. I'M VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE SURVIVED THIS ACCIDENT. TOOK PICTURES FOR EVIDENCE, AND PLAN TO GO BACK TO THE CAR UPON REVIEW BY THE MERCEDES ACCIDENT SPECIALIST TO ACCESS WHY THERE WAS AN EVIDENT FAILURE IN BOTH OF THESE SAFETY FEATURES (CRITICAL TO PREVENTING SUCH AN ACCIDENT)! *TR

NHTSA ID 10257668 · filed Feb 6, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

BOUGHT A NEW 2009 C300 MERCEDES AT A DEALER IN SAN DIEGO. CAR HAS ROUGH IDLE AND SHAKES FOR 30 SECONDS IN THE MORNING. DEALER CHECKED AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. THEY ARE BLAMING IT ON STRICT EMISSION ISSUES AS THE SOURCE OF THE ROUGH IDLE. HOOD DOES NOT LATCH UNLESS SLAMMED HARD. DEALER CLAIMED THEY HAD ADJUSTED LATCH BUT STILL THE SAME. *TR

NHTSA ID 10289654 · filed Oct 24, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I PURCHASED A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ C300 LUXURY SEDAN IN OCTOBER 2008 IN ATLANTA, GA. I DROVE THE CAR OFF THE LOT WITH 37 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I HOUSE THE CAR IN MY GARAGE. I'D HAD THE CAR IN MY POSSESSION FOR A LITTLE LESS THAN TWO WEEKS WHEN I WOKE ONE CHILLY MORNING TO DISCOVER A CRACK IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR. I IMMEDIATELY PHONED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR EVALUATION. SERVICE ASSESSED THE DAMAGE AND ADVISED ME THAT THEY'D RECENTLY (THE DAY BEFORE) BECOME AWARE THAT THE HEATING ELEMENTS WERE CRACKING THE MIRRORS IN THE C CLASS MODELS. THEY THEN APOLOGIZED FOR THE INCONVENIENCE, GAVE ME A LOANER CAR (FREE OF CHARGE) WHILE MY CAR WAS BEING REPAIRED (FREE OF CHARGE), AND ADVISED ME THAT, ALTHOUGH MERCEDES BENZ DOES NOT ALLOW PREEMPTIVE REPAIRS, THEY WOULD REPAIR THE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR (FREE OF CHARGE) SHOULD IT CRACK IN THE FUTURE. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE WOULD BE FIXED EVEN IF THE WARRANTY HAD OTHERWISE EXPIRED. THE PART REPAIRED WAS THE AUTO DEFROSTING/ DIMMING DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR. I'M UNSURE IF THIS DEFECT IS EXCLUSIVE TO THE C CLASS MODELS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10247470 · filed Nov 2, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

AT 43,500 AND 54 MONTHS THE TRANSMISSION IN THE CAR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN PROPERLY SERVICED AT THE MERCEDES DEALER. I BELIEVE THIS MODEL/MAKE HAS DEFECTS AS I HAVE BROUGHT IT BACK FOR SERVICE MANY TIMES. *TR

NHTSA ID 10563723 · filed Feb 10, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .