2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class problems and complaints

Owners have filed 670 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The most-reported areas: Electrical System (222), Air Bags (213), Steering (158).

Key takeaways

  • 670 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
  • 17 involve a crash, 19 a fire, 16 reported injuries.
  • Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
Complaints by component
ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System22233%
Air Bags21332%
Steering15824%
Exterior Lighting13821%
Suspension376%
Unknown Or Other335%
Structure284%
Service Brakes274%
Engine233%
Electronic Stability Control (esc)213%
Power Train112%
Seat Belts101%

One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

NHTSA 5-Star crash ratings
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 4-DR. w/SABNot ratedNot ratedNot rated4/5

Latest complaints, as filed

Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.

Electrical System,exterior Lighting - filed 2026-07-04

The tail lamps of my car do not function appropriately - the right tail lamp is completely dead most of the time and the left tail lamp constantly dims and flickers. Mercedes previously issued a recall campaign (no. 2014050001) because "DAG determined that oxidation on the ground pin connector for the rear tail lamps ...

Electrical System,exterior Lighting,air Bags - filed 2026-05-08

I have messages on my instrument panel stating I have airbag malfunction going on I also have tail lights that are not working and after trying to replace the bulbs it still don't work so obviously it's the light bulb panel so I went and looked at recalls and says that these are all recalls on my car but that they wer...

Electrical System - filed 2026-03-12

The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the check engine, seat belt, and air bag warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the headlights and navigation lights failed to activate for a while. There was burning odor inside the vehicle with the heat activated or tur...

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More for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.