2009 Mercedes Benz C300

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2009 Mercedes Benz C300
BUILT 2026-08-02

Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2009: 576 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2008	672
2009	576
2011	0

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 34%

34% of complaints: electrical system — 195 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

ELECTRICAL SAFETY HAZARD THAT COULD LEAD TO FIRE. LEFT REAR TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY UNIT MELTED DUE TO IMPROPER GROUND DUE TO FAULTY WIRING HARNESS. TALKED WITH MERCEDES DEALERSHIP AND WAS ADVISED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130523

DRIVING AT NIGHT. INSTRUMENT WARNING OF NUMEROUS FAILED TAIL LIGHTS ON BOTH SIDES AT THE SAME TIME. PULLED OVER AND OPENED TRUNK. TRUNK WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE AND BURNING PLASTIC SMELL.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130224

AIR BAGS 32%

32% of complaints: air bags — 182 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT AN INTERSECTION, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171115

TAKATA RECALL WHEN I PURCHASED VEHICLE IT WAS ALREADY SALVAGE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171103

I WAS DRIVING ON THE PARKWAY AT ~40 MPH AND ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN BY STEPPING ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN BUT ACCELERATED. AND STRUCK THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME.

NHTSA ODI report, 20100513

STEERING 23%

23% of complaints: steering — 135 distinct reports on file.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 20%

20% of complaints: exterior lighting — 113 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that the coolant warning light was frequently illuminated due to low coolant. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the engine hose and other engine parts were replaced.

NHTSA ODI report, 20230914

SUSPENSION 6%

6% of complaints: suspension — 35 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 20130711 — PE (closed 20131230)

Loss of rear tail light functionality

I 20131220 — EA (closed 20140512)

Loss of rear lighting assembly

R 20140818 — exterior lighting

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.

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. Owners may contact Mercedes at 1-800-367-6372.

Campaign 14V177000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160314 — air bags

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.

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. The recall began on March 14, 2016.

Campaign 15V711000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20161018 — air bags

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

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. This recall began November 2016.

Campaign 16V081000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20170421 — air bags, electrical system

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...

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.

Campaign 17V177000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180731 — air bags

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...

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. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts are available.

Campaign 16V363000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20181031 — air bags

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...

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.

Campaign 17V017000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20181031 — air bags

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...

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. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts are available.

Campaign 18V043000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

R 20220503 — electronic stability control (esc), engine and engine cooling, exterior lighting

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2010 E350, 2014 G550, 2008-2009 C300, 2008 C350, 2009 CLK550, 2007 SL550, SLK280, and 2008 SLK350 vehicles.

Remedy: Dealers will update the software configuration on the affected control units, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 3, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Campaign 22V168000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2009 Mercedes Benz C300 — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for electrical system issues (195 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for air bags issues (182 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for steering issues (135 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 14V177000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Verify recall 15V711000 (air bags) has been completed.
Verify recall 16V081000 (air bags) has been completed.
Verify recall 17V177000 (air bags, electrical system) has been completed.
Verify recall 16V363000 (air bags) has been completed.
Verify recall 17V017000 (air bags) has been completed.
Verify recall 18V043000 (air bags) has been completed.
Verify recall 22V168000 (electronic stability control (esc), engine and engine cooling, exterior lighting) has been completed.

FAQ

Is the 2009 Mercedes Benz C300 reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Mercedes Benz C300?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 34% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2009 Mercedes Benz C300 have?

8 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.