The Lemon IndexAll cars · Mercedes-Benz C-Class
2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
The 2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 20 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 45, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about lights, it has 8 recalls, and it gets 20 to 21 mpg combined. The best Mercedes-Benz C-Class year is 2011.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 653 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Mercedes-Benz C-Class year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 50K to 88K miles on the car (395 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 52K–87K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 57K–85K miles
- steering complaints mostly came at 55K–90K miles
Recalls 8
- lights 2022
Various control units may have been updated with incorrect software configuration during a service repair.
- airbags 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- electrical 2017
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.
Show all 8 recalls
- airbags 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2016
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 occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2015
Due to a manufacturing error, the air bag control unit may corrode and cause the control unit to malfunction.
- lights 2014
In the affected vehicles, a poor electrical ground connection may result in the dimming or failure of the tail lights.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Mercedes-Benz told dealers about
Mercedes-Benz sent dealers 116 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Grinding noises from area of front axle-wheel bearing corroded
- Seat belts, emergency tensioning retractors
- Steering leaky at internal oil lines
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- ClosedLoss of rear lighting assembly2013–2014
- ClosedLoss of rear tail light functionality2013
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Fuel cost and engines
About $3800–4000 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
Quick answers
Is the 2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 45; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Mercedes-Benz C-Class year by this measure is 2011.
What are the most common 2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are lights (30%), airbags (25%) and tires (25%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class have?
8 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class get?
20 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 50,400 and 88,000 miles. The middle report was at 70,000 miles, from 395 complaints.
Does the 2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class cost in fuel a year?
About $3800 to $4000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class have?
3.0L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
What Mercedes-Benz C-Class year is better than the 2009?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2011, 2012 and 2010.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works