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 the federal safety agency 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 electrical problems
16 complaints (25% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 64,000.
- owner complaints
- 16
- of this car's complaints
- 25%
- typical mileage
- 64,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Wiring1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Mercedes Benz C350 electrical problems in other years
Related recalls
Electrical system: software
- What is wrong
- 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 SL550 vehicles, 2012 CLS550 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2016 E350 vehicles, 2016-2017 GL450 4Matic vehicles, 2012-2014 ML350 4Matic BlueTec vehicles, 2015 S550, S550 4Matic and C300 4Matic Sedan vehicles, 2015-2016 C300 Sedan vehicles, and 2017 SL63 AMG vehicles. Various control units on these vehicles may have been updated with incorrect software, potentially affecting the correct deployment of the air bags in the event of a crash.
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 17V177000 · Recall details
Related investigations
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, complainants also alleged that the failure was accompanied by a burning smell emanating from the trunk of the vehicle.When examined, these vehicles showed evidence of overheating at the lighting assembly harness connector, including damaged (blackened) wiring and plastic.The rear lighting failures typically involved one side of the vehicle however in some cases both assemblies failed (although probably not simultaneously).ODI identified 5 fire and one injury allegations during the course of this investigation.Two fires occurred while the vehicles were parked.One originated in the vicinity of the driver?s side light assembly where the fire and associated damage was confined to the trunk area, and the fire self extinguished due to oxygen starvation.As a result of the fire, the vehicle was repurchased by Mercedes and salvaged.The second fire originated on the passenger's side and required fire department response to extinguish; the fire damaged the tail light and surrounding body panels as well as the trunk area and wiring.The vehicle was repaired and returned to service.Two firesoccurred while the vehicle was being driven.In the first instance, the driver detected an odor and pulled over to observe smoking and a small flame at the lighting assembly wiring in the trunk.The owner was able to extinguish the fire before any significant damage occurred.In the second instance, the driver smelled smoke, pulled over, and opened the trunk to find smoke and sparks emanating from the forward facing side of the tail light.The driver was able to extinguish the sparks and drive the vehicle to the dealer. A fifth fire was reported by a fleet manager who observed a vehicle with fire damage originating near one of the tail light assemblies.The injury incident occurred when a technician burned their hand while diagnosing a failed light.The technician touched the tail light wiring which was hot enough to burn him although the injury did not require medical attention.On April 10th, 2014, Mercedes notified ODI that it would conduct a safety recall to remedy the rear light assemblies in approximately 252,867 MY 2008 - 2011 C-Class vehicles including the C300, C350 and C63 AMG models.Each rear light assembly has separate bulbs that act as brake, tail lamp, backup and turn signal indicators.The bulbs are mounted in a bulb carrier which uses a common electrical ground circuit at the harness connection.According to Mercedes, oxidation due to the use of dissimilar metals on the harness and bulb carrier electrical connectors can result in increased resistance and a subsequent dimming or loss of lighting function.The heat caused by the increased resistance/oxidation can also lead to the melting of the surrounding plastic, or in some cases, present a fire hazard.In conducting recall 14V‑171, Mercedes dealers will inspect the left and right bulb carriers and harness connectors for the presence of dissimilar electrical connectors and/or evidence of related thermal damage; affected bulb carriers and/or harness connectors will be replaced free of charge.Mercedes notes that service replacement bulb carriers produced from January 2012 eliminate the dissimilar metal condition and that these bulb carriers will not requ
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What 2009 Mercedes Benz C350 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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. Very difficult to get photo, but is visible on both sides of the front head lights. There has been no fire yet but there is smoke.
The wiring to the head lambs (both) are burning up, causing a burnt smell in the car, company says to buy new head lamps. The electric wire system in the car has been a problem since the beginning. Evidently the heat in the motor area is to much for the quality of the wiring covers and they cause lamp burn out,and burn the plastic wire covering. Car is used for pleasure has very few miles. Very hard to take a picture , tech had a hard time getting to it.
Got home from work parked my car, I would say maybe about 3 hrs later I get on my car to go pick up my son and I wasn't able to turn my car on. My keyfob worked fine when I unlocked and locked the vehicle but when I would insert the keyfob in the ignition I was able to turn the key all the way to the on position. All though it turned in the ignition it wouldn't give the car a crank or any power at all, the radio, windows dashboard, headlights, nothing worked at all, it wouldn't even unlcock my steering coloumn either. Which made it even a bigger hastle to tow the car without being able to turn the steering wheel luckily ii left the wheels straight when I parked my vehicle. I've seen that this issue is common on this mercedes model. If its a common problem mercedes should be able to recall this ignition fault. Theres plenty of reasons why it can be a stressing situation if it happens to anybody, especially not being able to unlock thje steering column. There can be plenty of what if's (what if, u had ur wheels turned, what if your far from home, ur parked in a tight space how are you going to get the car towed, you have an emergency and your car suddenly wont start, at a gas station pumping gas and your car wont start, even after just having dinner at a restaurant) imagine having an issue like this and you are with ypur family its very stressful or everybody. I'm sure its happened to a lot of people but they dont file a complaint or maybe they dont know they can file one. I just hope mercedes can really do something about this issue since is very common on this model 2009 mercedes c350.
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 federal safety agency 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. I should be reimbursed my mercedes.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 mercedes benz c350. The contact stated that the key failed to start the vehicle after numerous attempts and the steering column did not lock. In addition, certain electrical components, such as the radio, door locks, interior lights, and exterior lights did not function. The take key out of the ignition indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that electronic steering control module malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000. Updated 04/07/16*lj
I had to replace the steering lock module which cost nearly $1200. The car has approximately 110,000 km. The car started fine in the morning and was parked for about 20 minutes in the grocery store parking lot. When I returned to the car and tried to start it, it would not crank. The alarm turned off fine, radio and lights worked, instrument cluster read the key and good me to remove it before exiting the vehicle. The transmission and steering wheel were locked in park. The car had to be towed to a dealership where they diagnosed and replaced the steering lock module. I read online and found numerous complaints about the same issues.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 mercedes benz c350. While parked, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who diagnosed that the electronic steering box and the electronic ignition switch (eis) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 83,000.
Car had ignition switch failure. Steering wheel locked transmission locked in park. Dash lights and door locks operate.car had to be towed to dealer.this has been a large problem with these vehicles for years.there should be a manufactuer recall not a consumer expense. Thank you,please help
I am attempting to leave office depot parking lot and my car will not start (no problem prior to going into the store!) I put the key in the ignition the lights, radio, dashboard all come on and I hear a clicking sound. However, the power windows don't work, nor the sunroof. After researching most of the night (couldn't rest) and most of the day, it appears to be the electronic ignition switch (eis) which is very costly! And there are tens of thousands of complaints over the span of years!!! The nightmare stories (I had deja vu...exactly the same issue!) defiantly enough complaints about this issue that your organization should open an investigation. A demand for a recall is needed asap!!! Price of replacement/repair could be from $1,100 to $2,200....ridiculous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Questions about the 2009 Mercedes Benz C350 electrical
Does the 2009 Mercedes Benz C350 have electrical problems?
Owners have filed 16 complaints about the electrical of the 2009 Mercedes Benz C350, 25% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2009 Mercedes Benz C350 electrical problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 64,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2009 Mercedes Benz C350 electrical?
Yes, 1 recall: 17V177000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Mercedes Benz C350 have the most electrical problems?
The Mercedes Benz C350 model years with the most electrical complaints are 2008 (53 complaints) and 2009 (16 complaints).
Other 2009 Mercedes Benz C350 problems
Airbags 25Steering 20Lights 13Engine 5Brakes 3Fuel system 3Seats 3Transmission 2Body 1Seat belts 1Suspension 1Wheels 1
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