2009 Mercedes-Benz C300 vs 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300 | 2011 Mercedes-Benz C300 |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 576 | 480 |
| Recall campaigns | 8 | 6 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 106 | 104 |
| Investigations | 3 | 2 |
| Crash reports | 14 | 15 |
| Fire reports | 18 | 6 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 21 | 20–21 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 71,000 mi | 80,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Mercedes-Benz C300 | Mercedes-Benz C300 |
|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 182 | 250 |
| Electrical System | 198 | 43 |
| Steering | 136 | 34 |
| Exterior Lighting | 118 | 20 |
| Suspension | 36 | 60 |
| Structure | 27 | 49 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 4 | 38 |
| Service Brakes | 19 | 9 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Steering problems | 79 | 17 |
| Rust / corrosion | 49 | 65 |
| Won’t start | 45 | 11 |
| Electrical failures | 14 | 0 |
| Stalling | 11 | 9 |
| Airbag warning light | 10 | 0 |
| Check engine light | 6 | 8 |
| Clunking / rattling | 6 | 5 |
2009 Mercedes-Benz C300
2011 Mercedes-Benz C300
Compare all Mercedes-Benz C300 vs Mercedes-Benz C300 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.