repaired · 2024 Q1
Control module: software
Risk. Various system failures, such as loss of drive power, reduced exterior lighting, or loss of dynamic control functions including stability and traction control,…
2009 Mercedes-Benz C300Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 576 owner complaints about the 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 8 safety recalls, and for recall 22V-168 the manufacturer reports only 36% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 8, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300 has problems
576 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
198Electrical system14 crash/fire/injury
182Air bags15 crash/fire/injury
136Steering
118Exterior lighting17 crash/fire/injury
36Suspension
27Structure
20Electronic stability control (ESC)
19Service brakes
16Engine
5212 other systems4 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 198 | 14 |
| Air bags | 182 | 15 |
| Steering | 136 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 118 | 17 |
| Suspension | 36 | 0 |
| Structure | 27 | 1 |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) | 20 | 1 |
| Service brakes | 19 | 1 |
| Engine | 16 | 1 |
| 12 other systems | 52 | 4 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
8 recalls
2009 Mercedes-Benz C300 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2018 Q3
Frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
Risk. If the air bags do not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show 4 more recalls
repaired · 2026 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other…
repaired · 2017 Q2
Frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
Risk. The malfunctioning air bag control unit may cause the air bags to unexpectedly deploy increasing the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
repaired · 2015 Q4
Exterior lighting: tail lights
Risk. Dimming or failure of the tail lights reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions of stopping or turning, increasing the risk of a…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mercedes-Benz.
Mileage at failure
When do electrical system problems start?
71kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 165 electrical system complaints. 84% were reported before 100,000 miles.
3under 30k miles139under 100k miles26100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Electrical system
32 owners mentioned a cost$1,200median
Middle half: $1,000 – $1,500
Steering
23 owners mentioned a cost$1,212median
Middle half: $1,050 – $1,400
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2009 vs. every other C300 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the C300 median. How we score
'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
3 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300, and the recalls they led to.
- Loss of rear lighting assemblyLed to recall 14V-177
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
- Loss of rear tail light functionalityNo recall
In owners' words
What C300 owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
I have messages on my instrument panel stating I have airbag malfunction going on I also have tail lights that are not working and after trying to replace the bulbs it still don't work so obviously it's the light bulb panel so I went and looked at recalls and says that these are all recalls on my…
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the check engine, seat belt, and air bag warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the headlights and navigation lights failed to activate for a while. There was burning odor inside the vehicle with the…
While driving the car on [XXX] at 9pm on sunday, [XXX] in lane two during a heavy rain a audible clicking noise came from the drivers side front of the dash instrument cluster area and all of the lights on the car simultaneously turned off without ever touching the light switch i was unable to see…
Own a 2009 C300?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.