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Exterior lightingPart report

2009 Mercedes-Benz C350 Exterior lighting Problems

Complaints
13about this part
Share
20%of 65 total for the year
Median mileage
35,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2009 Mercedes-Benz C350, 20% of the 65 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 35,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“My tail lights started to going in and out. When I went to check the bulbs all bulbs are good and there is burn marks on the casing hold in the bulb and wiring for the passenger side tail lights. There is a short in the tail light wiring.”

NHTSA complaint #10556792, filed 2013-12, 61,000 miles

“Complaint: c-class rear light melting issue. Rear bulb light fail error. Reporting a burning smell of melting plastic and failure of rear turn signals and brake lights. I went out on the internet and saw I wasn't the only one this happened to and that the u.s. Safety regulators have opened a probe of an estimated 218,000 mercedes c-class sedans have been reported. I called the Mercedes-Benz of seattle and everyone that I tried to talk to about this problem didn't acknowledge it at all. …”

NHTSA complaint #10565536, filed 2014-02, 30,545 miles

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11016312, filed 2017-08, 30,000 miles

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10948957, filed 2017-02, 35,000 miles

“Rear passenger side tail lights no longer functional. Started getting a constant display message to check rear break, fog, and turn signal. First checked for bad fuse. Finally went to check the bulb housing and noticed that one of the wires was frayed. The wire was exposed and the wire harness seem to be damaged as well from the heat. The wires are bad and will need to be replaced.”

NHTSA complaint #10560708, filed 2014-01, 80,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Exterior lighting: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201315%
20091320%
20083122%

Other parts of the 2009 Mercedes-Benz C350

Air bags
25 complaintsSteering
20 complaintsElectrical system
16 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz C350

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology