Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2009 Mercedes Benz C63
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
426.7%
Electrical System
426.7%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 40,000 mi
Engine & Cooling
320.0%
Median failure at 43,639 miles
Lights
213.3%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 37,000 mi
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
16.7%
Brakes
16.7%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 23,000 mi
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
333.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
444.4%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
222.2%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Apr 2013peak 5Sep 2021
NHTSA investigations into the 2009 Mercedes Benz C63
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C...
EA13008Opened 20 Dec 2013Closed 12 May 2014ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
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 ligh...
PE13026Opened 11 Jul 2013Closed 30 Dec 2013ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Loss of rear tail light functionality
ODI initially received 21 reports of rear light assembly failure due to a melted electrical connector or housing.Since opening the initial , ODI has received a total of 114 complaints reflecting an ongoing and increasing trend.In each report, one or both rear light assemblies fail completely (i.e., all lights housed within the assembly extinguish, including the stop, tail, and turn signal functions) when the electrical ground connection is compromised as a result of high resistance and subsequent thermal over-heating.According to Mercedes-Benz, the over-heating of the ground wire is caused by...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 23,000 milesHouston, TXFire
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
REAR TAIL LIGHT WIRING HAS BURNT UP CAUSING FAILURE OF THE TAILLIGHT. THIS HAPPENED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. THE RIGHT SIDE ACTUALLY BEGAN PUTTING OUT SMOKE WHEN THE BURNT CONNECTOR FAILED. THIS FIRE COULD HAVE SPREAD WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10555888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 23,000 milesHouston, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
REAR TAIL LIGHT WIRING HAS BURNT UP CAUSING FAILURE OF THE TAILLIGHT. THIS HAPPENED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. THE RIGHT SIDE ACTUALLY BEGAN PUTTING OUT SMOKE WHEN THE BURNT CONNECTOR FAILED. THIS FIRE COULD HAVE SPREAD WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10555888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 23,000 milesHouston, TXFire
SERVICE BRAKES
REAR TAIL LIGHT WIRING HAS BURNT UP CAUSING FAILURE OF THE TAILLIGHT. THIS HAPPENED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. THE RIGHT SIDE ACTUALLY BEGAN PUTTING OUT SMOKE WHEN THE BURNT CONNECTOR FAILED. THIS FIRE COULD HAVE SPREAD WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10555888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Richmond, MA
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Glass sunroof While driving, heard a loud bang/pop, glass sunroof began to shatter, and fall onto me, creating a unsafe conditions. Pulled over immediately and closed plastic sunshade to prevent entire glass window from collapsing on top of me. Particles of glass and finite glass dust covered interior, and my person. Reported to local police dept, took photographs, and awaiting to contact dealership, insurance co as this occurred on a holiday weekend. No previous defects observed car is pristine. No roadway defects, or other environmental factors as causation.
NHTSA complaint #11431783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Woodland Hills, CA
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ C63. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF CALABASAS, 24181 CALABASAS RD, CALABASAS, CA 91302, 855-744-2458) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. **TR CONSUMER STATED DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS AFFECTED. UPDATED 11/1/18
NHTSA complaint #11124419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palm Beach, FL
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ C63. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V363000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V081000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO REMEDY THE RECALL WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. MERCEDES-BENZ OF PALM BEACH (4000 OKEECHOBEE BLVD, WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33409, (561) 689-6363) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11102821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sandy Springs, GA
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ C63. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V363000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V081000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIRS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF BUCKHEAD AT (800) 399-3804 (2799 PIEDMONT RD NE, ATLANTA, GA 30305) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11089931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Covina, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK FAILURE COMMON PROBLEM
NHTSA complaint #10934811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Francisco, CA
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ C63. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V363000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10898621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesGilbert, AZ
ENGINE
CEL ILLUMINATION, ENGINE MISFIRE, STALLING, ROUGH RUNNING, LOW COOLANT INDICATOR LIGHT UPS. NO EXTERNAL COOLANT LOSS DETECTABLE. COOLANT IN THE ENGINE OIL AND/OR IN THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER. THIS IS CAUSED BY A BROKEN CYLINDER HEAD BOLT. ENGINE COOLANT ENTERS INTO ENGINE OIL. COOLANT MIGHT BE PRESENT IN THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER. AFFECTED ENGINE NUMBER UP TO 1569XX 60 060658. NOW THE DEALERSHIP IS TRYING TO CHARGE ME $7K TO HAVE THIS FIXED WHEN IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE ON THESE VEHICLES. I RESPECTFULLY DEMAND THAT MERCEDES BENZ USA COVER THE COSTS AND RECALL THESE AFFECTED BOLTS ASAP.
NHTSA complaint #10716413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,000 milesMars, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
AS I WAS DRIVING I HAD A LIGHT COME ON MY DASH TELLING ME I HAD LOW COOLANT AND THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE IT FILLED. THIS HAS HAPPENED A NUMBER OF TIMES SINCE MY SHORT OWNERSHIP OF THIS VEHICLE. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A SEALED UNIT AND SHOULD NOT BE LOSING ANTIFREEZE ANYWHERE. I HAD THE VEHICLE LOOKED AT AND I DO NOT HAVE ANY LEAKS WHATSOEVER. WHEN I ADD THE COOLANT, IT SEEMS TO BE FAIRLY LOW. I AM CONCERNED THAT I MAY HAVE SOME BIG ISSUES ON MY HANDS AND COULD POTENTIALLY HAVE A HYDRO-LOCKING OF THE ENGINE PROBLEM CREATING A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE LEADING TO A CRASH. AFTER A BIT OF RESEARCH I AM FINDING THAT THE MB C63 HAS "HEAD BOLT" ISSUES LEADING TO THE LOSS OF COOLANT AND ENGINES BLOWING UP AND OR HYDRO-LOCKING. I FEAR THIS ISSUE MAY HAPPEN TO ME AND WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE THIS BEING LOOKED INTO AS I FEEL MB HAS A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF RESPONSIBILITY HERE WITH REGARDS TO THE SAFETY OF THEIR PATRONS. THANK YOU FOR HEARING ME.
NHTSA complaint #10582929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 43,639 milesLincolnshire, IL
ENGINE
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A HEADBOLT FAILURE RESULTING IN COOLANT FLOODING ONE OF THE CYLINDER, LEAKING INSIDE THE ENGINE AND CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE. I WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS DRIVING AT 20MPH AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE, OTHERWISE IT WOULD MOST LIKELY RESULT IN A CRASH. MERCEDES-BENZ USA DENIES THE WIDESPREAD NATURE OF THE PROBLEM AFFECTING ALL OF THE M156 ENGINES, EVEN THROUGH IN 2010 MERCEDES-BENZ ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN DIRECTING REPLACEMENT OF THE HEADBOLTS WITH THE NEW IMPROVED DESIGN AND I PERSONALLY KNOW 3 OTHER OWNERS WHOSE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM. MERCEDES-BENZ WOULD NOT RECALL THE AFFECTED ENGINES AS IT WOULD COST THEM MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, INSTEAD THEY CHOSE TO PUT THE CONSUMERS AT RISK AND HAVE THE CONSUMERS COVER THE REPAIR COST AS THE FAILURE TENDS TO HAPPEN SHORTLY AFTER THE BASE WARRANTY EXPIRES.
NHTSA complaint #10579288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 51,000 milesSAN Rafael, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
BROWN WIRE IN LEFT TAIL LIGHT CONNECTOR MELTED THROUGH THE CONNECTOR AND TAIL LIGHT FAILED TO OPERATE, INCLUDING TURN SIGNAL.
NHTSA complaint #10556136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 51,000 milesSAN Rafael, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BROWN WIRE IN LEFT TAIL LIGHT CONNECTOR MELTED THROUGH THE CONNECTOR AND TAIL LIGHT FAILED TO OPERATE, INCLUDING TURN SIGNAL.
NHTSA complaint #10556136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 23,000 milesHouston, TXFire
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
REAR TAIL LIGHT WIRING HAS BURNT UP CAUSING FAILURE OF THE TAILLIGHT. THIS HAPPENED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. THE RIGHT SIDE ACTUALLY BEGAN PUTTING OUT SMOKE WHEN THE BURNT CONNECTOR FAILED. THIS FIRE COULD HAVE SPREAD WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10555888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 23,000 milesHouston, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
REAR TAIL LIGHT WIRING HAS BURNT UP CAUSING FAILURE OF THE TAILLIGHT. THIS HAPPENED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. THE RIGHT SIDE ACTUALLY BEGAN PUTTING OUT SMOKE WHEN THE BURNT CONNECTOR FAILED. THIS FIRE COULD HAVE SPREAD WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10555888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 23,000 milesHouston, TXFire
SERVICE BRAKES
REAR TAIL LIGHT WIRING HAS BURNT UP CAUSING FAILURE OF THE TAILLIGHT. THIS HAPPENED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. THE RIGHT SIDE ACTUALLY BEGAN PUTTING OUT SMOKE WHEN THE BURNT CONNECTOR FAILED. THIS FIRE COULD HAVE SPREAD WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10555888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesSAN Jose, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR DASH DISPLAY INDICATED TO CHECK RIGHT REAR TURN LAMP. WHILE CHECKING THE LAMP, THE LAMP HOLDER ASSEMBLY WAS HOT. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO UNPLUG THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TO THE LAMP HOLDER ASSEMBLY, DISCOVERED THAT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WAS MELTING (SPECIFICALLY AROUND THE GROUND WIRE). THERE SEEM TO BE OTHER REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE ON WEB FORUMS (E.G. MB WORLD).
NHTSA complaint #10505806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.