Most common 2009 Mercedes-Benz C350 problems
Share of the 65 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mercedes-Benz C350 complaints by model year
Best C350 years: 2007, 2015, 2014. Years to avoid: 2008, 2009, 2012, 2011. Compare all years →
2009 Mercedes-Benz C350 recalls (7)
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2013 C250, C250 Coupe, C350 Coupe 4Matic, C300 4Matic, C350, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG, C63 Coupe, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, E550 Cabrio, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E550 Coupe, GLK350 4Matic, GLK250 Bluetec 4Matic, GLK350, SLS Coupe, SLS AMG GT Coupe, and SLS Roadster vehicles sold, or ever…
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. Mercedes issued an interim notification to owners on February 23, 2018.
Electrical system › Software
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 AMG GT-S, GLC300, CLA250 and GLE300d 4Matic vehicles, 2013 C250, E350 BlueTec and G63 AMG vehicles, 2008-2014 C300 vehicles, 2013-2014 C300 4Matic and ML350 4Matic vehicles, 2009 C350 vehicles, 2014 CLS550, E350 4Matic, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Wagon 4Matic, GLK350 and…
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update software in the affected control units, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2012 C300 4Matic, C250, C250 Coupe, C350, C350 Coupe 4Matic, C350 Coupe, C63 AMG, C63 AMG Coupe, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Cabrio, E350 Coupe, E550 Cabrio, E550 Coupe, GLK350 4Matic, GLK350, SLS AMG Cabrio, and SLS AMG Coupe vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in…
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag modules, free of charge. Owners were sent an interim notification in March 2017.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 C300 Sedan, C300 4matic Sedan, C350 Sedan, C63 AMG Sedan vehicles, 2010-2011 GLK350, GLK350 4-Matic and E350 Coupe vehicles, 2011 SLS AMG, E350 Convertible, E550 Coupe and E550 Convertible vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama,…
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag modules, free of charge. Owners were sent an interim notification October 2016.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 ML320 BlueTec 4Matic, GL320 BlueTec 4Matic and R320 CDI 4Matic, 2011 E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet, 2009-2011 ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML550 4Matic, ML63 AMG, and C63 AMG, 2010-2011 ML450 4Matic Hybrid, E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic, E550 Coupe, E550 4Matic,…
Remedy: MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge.
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 C300 Sedan, C300 4Matic, C63 AMG, and C350 vehicles, and 2010 GLK350 and GLK350 4Matic vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the air bag control unit may corrode and cause the control unit to malfunction.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bag control unit and replace it, as necessary, free of charge. Mercedes-Benz issued an interim notification to owners on December 23, 2015.
Show 1 more recall
Exterior lighting › Tail lights
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (Mercedes) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 C300, C300 4Matic, C350, and C63 AMG vehicles manufactured January 26, 2007, through July 13, 2011. In the affected vehicles, a poor electrical ground connection may result in the dimming or failure of the tail lights.
Remedy: Mercedes will notify owners, and dealers will replace the bulb holders if not previously updated and replace any corroded connectors, free of charge. The recall began on August, 18, 2014.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2009 Mercedes-Benz C350:
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
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 C350 owners say
Air bags all 25 →
Takata recall: I received a notice of recall # 16v-08, stating that a defective driver's side airbag could rupture and cause serious injury or death in my 2009 Mercedes-Benz C350. After contacting the manufacturer, I was told that the replacement parts are unavailable and that the wait for recall repairs will be considerable. Meanwhile I'm left driving a car that can seriously injure or kill me in the event of an airbag deployment. I told the manufacturer's representative that this is unacceptable and asked repeatedly for either a loaner car while waiting for parts, or for Mercedes to buy back my car. In no uncertain terms I was told that no such action is possible. Why should I put my life in danger for an unspecified length of time for a defect that Mercedes is responsible? …
Takata recalls, the vehicle steering lock module gave out and the dealership has stop selling the parts for this due to this current unresolved recall having customer go to the dealership for service which is unfair due to extra cost so my vehicle is unable to be driven at all.
Steering all 20 →
Vehicle has lost its ability to be driven. Car alarm has gone of a multitude of times at different hours of day and night. Finally we were told that the steering column needs to be replaced. According to tow truck driver, Auto lock person, this is common from the 300 series of Mercedes Benz. Obviously very costly. My car is worthless at this point. I believe that the Mercedes Benz should have a recall on the steering column lock. Obviously, this is not only a defect but, also causing safety issues with it just turning off and not able to restart.
Total shutdown of complete system...brakes, steering and engine at around 25-to 30 MPH. No warning. Happened two times...once before M-B service and once after service for problem. It checked out OK from dealership months before only to have it happen again. Was lucky to avoid a crash both times. Sold to dealership. Wrote my safety concerns for a new owner to local dealership and corporate.
Electrical system
Car was parked in a parking lot. I was 120 miles from home when the engine would not start -- even though the battery, lights, stereo, gauges, etc. All worked fine. Still, the engine wouldn't even crank, had car towed to an independent Mercedes repair facility (it was a Sunday and the local Mercedes service department was not open). The electronic ignition switch (eis) and other parts needed to be replaced at a cost of $1526.94. Months later I visited the NHTSA website and learned that this is a common problem with this model of Mercedes and that the manufacturer is refusing to pay for the repair. With a problem this widespread -- which can occur multiple times during the life of the car -- Mercedes should foot the bill. I would have complained earlier but only now learned that many other owners are experiencing the same defect. My car had only 37,110 miles at the time. …
2 years ago manager told me the wiring of the head lamps was melting but he can only replace the whole unit( both). I told him that a car with 30000 mils this should not be happening. Nothing he can do. The car has started to burn on the inside , smoke comes out of the engine. Car transports children. To and from school. Eery other onth lamps burn out, happening since the car was new. Finally went to shop again today and they put it on paper. Wire coating falling apart, causes burn out of lamps. This is a huge danger and should be recalled not paid by user. Have sent 2 other complaints to NHTSA with no resolution. Why????? Additionally car has had tail lamp problems since the beginning with one recall. Additionally the seat cover of the driver side is coming apart in pieces since year 2. How is it possible no action has been taken?
2009 Mercedes-Benz C350 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 7-speed automatic | RWD | 17 / 25 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2009 Mercedes-Benz C350 a good car?
Based on 65 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 C350 rates avoid: 3.7× as many complaints as a typical year of the C350 at the same age. It is one of the C350 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2009 Mercedes-Benz C350?
The air bags — 25 complaints, 38% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the steering (20) and electrical system (16).
How many recalls does the 2009 Mercedes-Benz C350 have?
There are 7 recalls for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz C350, the most recent from January 10, 2018 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz C350?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2007, 2015 and 2014. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2008, 2009, 2012 and 2011. See the full Mercedes-Benz C350 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2009 Mercedes-Benz C350 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 60,000 miles; 44% 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.