2009 Mercedes-Benz Vito

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz Vito is a versatile van known for its practicality and reliability, often used for commercial and personal transportation. Engine options varied depending on the market, commonly including diesel engines like the 2.1L CDI and the 3.0L CDI V6. Transmission options included both manual and automatic gearboxes. Owners generally appreciate the Vito’s spaciousness and comfortable ride, but common complaints often revolve around reliability issues and maintenance costs. This guide covers common issues reported by 2009 Vito owners, categorized by vehicle system and engine/transmission configuration.

Engine

2.1L CDI Diesel

• Injector Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Rough idling, misfires, reduced power, black smoke from exhaust, and potential fuel leaks.
  • Solution: Replace faulty injectors with new or remanufactured units. Recoding of the new injectors to the ECU is required.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $800+ per injector, including labor.
  • Recalls: None Found
• Turbocharger Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: Whining noises from the turbocharger, loss of power, excessive oil consumption, and potential turbo failure.
  • Solution: Inspect the turbocharger for damage or wear. Replace the turbocharger if necessary. Also check and clean the oil feed line.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $800 - $2000+, including labor.
  • Recalls: None Found
• EGR Valve Problems
  • Description/Symptoms: Rough idling, hesitation during acceleration, check engine light, and potential black smoke from exhaust.
  • Solution: Clean or replace the EGR valve. Check and clean the EGR cooler if necessary.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $600, including labor.
  • Recalls: None Found

3.0L CDI V6 Diesel

• Oil Cooler Leaks
  • Description/Symptoms: Oil leaks, often detected under the engine or around the oil cooler housing. Can lead to overheating if oil level drops significantly.
  • Solution: Replace the oil cooler seals or the entire oil cooler assembly.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $400 - $1000+, including labor.
  • Recalls: None Found
• Intake Manifold Swirl Flap Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: Reduced power, rough idling, check engine light. Potential for swirl flaps to break and cause engine damage.
  • Solution: Replace the intake manifold with an updated version or install swirl flap delete kits.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $800 - $1500+, including labor.
  • Recalls: None Found

Transmission

Manual Transmission (Specific Type Unknown)

• Clutch Wear
  • Description/Symptoms: Clutch slippage, difficulty shifting gears, high clutch pedal engagement point.
  • Solution: Replace the clutch disc, pressure plate, and potentially the flywheel.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $600 - $1200+, including labor.
  • Recalls: None Found

Automatic Transmission (Specific Type Unknown)

• Torque Converter Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Shuddering during acceleration, especially at low speeds, poor fuel economy, and potential transmission slipping.
  • Solution: Replace the torque converter and flush the transmission fluid.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $800 - $2000+, including labor.
  • Recalls: None Found
• Valve Body Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: Hard or erratic shifting, delayed engagement, slipping between gears.
  • Solution: Replace or rebuild the valve body. Replacing the solenoids can sometimes resolve the issue.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1500+, including labor.
  • Recalls: None Found

Suspension

• Front Suspension Ball Joint Wear
  • Description/Symptoms: Knocking or clunking noises from the front suspension, especially when going over bumps.
  • Solution: Replace worn ball joints.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $500 per side, including labor.
  • Recalls: None Found
• Rear Leaf Spring Sagging (If equipped)
  • Description/Symptoms: Rear of the vehicle sits lower than normal, reduced load-carrying capacity, and potentially compromised ride quality.
  • Solution: Replace worn leaf springs.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $400 - $1000+, including labor.
  • Recalls: None Found

Electrical

• Central Locking System Malfunctions
  • Description/Symptoms: Doors failing to lock or unlock remotely, intermittent operation of the central locking system.
  • Solution: Check and replace faulty door lock actuators, wiring, or the central locking module.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $500+, depending on the component and labor.
  • Recalls: None Found
• Glow Plug Failure (Diesel Engines)
  • Description/Symptoms: Hard starting, especially in cold weather, check engine light.
  • Solution: Replace faulty glow plugs and potentially the glow plug control module.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $400, including labor.
  • Recalls: None Found

Exterior

• Sliding Door Mechanism Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: Difficulty opening or closing the sliding door, jamming, or unusual noises.
  • Solution: Lubricate, adjust, or replace worn rollers, cables, or the door latch mechanism.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $500+, depending on the severity and parts needed.
  • Recalls: None Found

Interior

• Dashboard Instrument Cluster Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Intermittent or complete failure of the instrument cluster, including speedometer, tachometer, and other gauges.
  • Solution: Repair or replace the instrument cluster.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $800+, including labor.
  • Recalls: None Found

Summary

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz Vito, while generally a reliable workhorse, does exhibit some common issues. Engine and transmission problems, particularly injector failures, turbo issues, oil cooler leaks, and torque converter problems, can be costly to repair. Suspension and electrical issues add to the potential maintenance burden. The severity of these issues ranges from minor inconveniences to major mechanical failures, and repair costs can vary significantly depending on the problem. Prospective buyers should be aware of these potential issues and factor them into their purchasing decision and budget. Pre-purchase inspections are highly recommended to identify any existing or potential problems.