2009 Mercedes-Benz C300 vs 2009 Volkswagen Jetta
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300 | 2009 Volkswagen Jetta |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 576 | 888 |
| Recall campaigns | 8 | 6 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 106 | 1,054 |
| Investigations | 3 | 5 |
| Crash reports | 14 | 31 |
| Fire reports | 18 | 8 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 21 | 24–32 |
| Median reported mileage | 71,000 mi | 63,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Mercedes-Benz C300 | Volkswagen Jetta |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 198 | 107 |
| Air Bags | 182 | 35 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 0 | 195 |
| Service Brakes | 19 | 165 |
| Steering | 136 | 24 |
| Power Train | 5 | 141 |
| Exterior Lighting | 118 | 24 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 20 | 93 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Steering problems | 79 | 0 |
| Rust / corrosion | 49 | 0 |
| Won’t start | 45 | 14 |
| Electrical failures | 14 | 0 |
| Stalling | 11 | 188 |
| Airbag warning light | 10 | 16 |
| Check engine light | 6 | 71 |
| Clunking / rattling | 6 | 10 |
2009 Mercedes-Benz C300
2009 Volkswagen Jetta
Compare all Mercedes-Benz C300 vs Volkswagen Jetta years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.