Mercedes Benz / C300 / 2009
2009 Mercedes Benz C300 problems
Owners have filed 846 complaints about the 2009 Mercedes Benz C300 with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 23.5% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of air bags at 22.2%.
Complaints846
Crashes22
Fires30
Injuries19
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Electrical system 23.5% · 199
Air bags 22.2% · 188
Steering 16.2% · 137
Exterior lighting 13.9% · 118
Suspension 4.4% · 37
Unknown or other 3.7% · 31
Structure 3.3% · 28
Electronic stability control (ESC) 2.4% · 20
Severity
Of those complaints, 22 describe a crash, 30 describe a fire and 19 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 9 model years of the Mercedes Benz C300 in this data, 2009 ranks 2nd by complaint volume — 2008 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 27 in the last three years against 95 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 70,140 miles.
In owners' own words
The left rear tail lights stopped working. I had to replace the electrical harness attached to the bulb bracket. This was replaced on 2/13/2013. Exactly one month later, the right rear tail lights stopped working on 3/13/2013. I will have to replace the same assembly of parts. I have no damage to the rear of my vehicle. Mercedes Benz had a recall on the (Mercedes Benz m-class year 2009) for the rear lights. Electrical system · reported at 73,937 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving at 30 mph, the engine failed. The vehicle was not able to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. Electrical system · reported at 100,000 miles
My 2009 C300 mercedes does not recognize the key in the ignition. I had the car towed to the dealership for repair. It's going to cost $1,200. This is a common problem with this make and model car. There should be a recall. I had to pay towing cost twice because I didn't want to leave my car in the restaurant parking lot over night. I told the car home then I had to tow it to the dealership the next day. Electrical system · reported at 104,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…