Most common 2009 Mercedes-Benz C problems
Share of the 14 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mercedes-Benz C complaints by model year
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2009 Mercedes-Benz C:
Loss of rear tail light functionality
ODI initially received 21 reports of rear light assembly failure due to a melted electrical connector or housing.Since opening the initial , ODI has received a total of 114 complaints reflecting an ongoing and increasing trend.In each report, one or both rear light assemblies fail completely (i.e., all lights housed within the assembly extinguish, including the stop, tail, and turn signal functions) when the…
Loss of rear lighting assembly
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of loss of rear lighting in model year (MY) 2008-2011 Mercedes Benz C-Class vehicles.Complainants alleged that one or both rear lighting assemblies fail to illuminate (i.e., all lights housed within the assembly extinguish, including the stop, tail, and turn signal functions) or illuminate dimly.In some reports,…
What 2009 Mercedes-Benz C owners say
Transmission & drivetrain
Tl 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.
Tl 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.
Lights
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.
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.
Electrical system
Tl 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.
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.
2009 Mercedes-Benz C engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 7-speed automatic | RWD | 17 / 25 / 20 |
| 5.5L 8-cyl | 7-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 22 / 17 |
| 5.5L 8-cyl | 7-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 21 / 17 |
| 6.2L 8-cyl | 7-speed automatic | RWD | 12 / 18 / 14 |
| 5.5L 12-cyl turbo | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 11 / 17 / 13 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2009 Mercedes-Benz C a good car?
There isn't enough complaint history for the C to compare model years reliably. So far owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA.
What is the most common problem with the 2009 Mercedes-Benz C?
The transmission & drivetrain — 4 complaints, 29% of all complaints for this model year, most often about automatic transmission. Next are the lights (4) and electrical system (3).
How many recalls does the 2009 Mercedes-Benz C have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz C. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
At what mileage do 2009 Mercedes-Benz C problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 7,000 miles; 92% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.