2009 Mercedes-Benz C350 problems
The 2009 Mercedes-Benz C350 has 96 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (26%) concerns air bags. Next are steering (21%) and electrical system (17%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 96 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Air bags 26% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 1 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 1 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 55,000 miles 62 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 5 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 19 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 8 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 11 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 11 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 2 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 3 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 3 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 62 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 55,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 1 complaint mentions a crash; 1 injury reported. Its complaints are less severe on average than those of 93% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2009 ranks 3rd most-complained-about out of 4 model years of the Mercedes-Benz C350 with enough data (22 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 7 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Passenger side rear brake light, directional signal, side marker, and rear light not operational. It started with the directional signal working on and off, it would work for a week or two and then once in a while it would malfunction. Now none of the lights are operational. Upon inspecting the inside of the socket assembly one of the wires looked completely corroded and upon touching it was very hot when the lights were on.
A dashboard warning indicator came on, indicating my right rear tail light was not functioning. I opened up the trunk, and located the harness that holds the rear tail light bulbs. There was a burn mark in the harness that holds the light bulbs. I took the car to my dealership, and they told me the wiring shorted out, and it needs replaced. I have the pdf file that the dealer sent me indicating this is what happened.... There is an outstanding nhtsb complaint filed already... [link removed]
Second warning regarding the electrical wiring regarding the front head lamps. The wiring is burning up and it will cause a fire with deadly consequences. This car has had a recall before regarding the wiring of the back stop lights, if nothing is done there will be a fire. The seat (front) covering is peeling off, co. Says its normal. This is my 2nd report and the smoke is getting heavier all the time and it is affecting the computer of the car function. The vehicle is always picking up children with my wife.
When I put the key in the ignition it will not turn over no lights display on the dashboard. The radio cuts on and the only thing that displays on the dashboard is the mileage no other lights. When the key is turned to first or second position. The day before when my car would not start I was able to take the key out of the ignition and replace it in the car started right up this time it does nothing. I'm being told it's an esl steering wheel lock issue that is common to this car model.