2009 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class Problems

VIN Decoder

Premium Report

Complaints Reported

Radar Detector GPS Tracker OBD2 Scanner Car Refrigerator Jump Starter Dash Cam

As an Amazon Associate, ForCar.org earns from qualifying purchases.

Complaints by Component

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

2 complaints

THERE ARE NO CHILD SAFETY LOCKS ON THE REAR DOORS. THE MANUFACTURER SEEMS TO THINK THE FACT THAT THE DOOR LOCKS ONCE THE CAR IS MOVING OVER A SPECIFIC SPEED IS GOOD ENOUGH, THE PROBLEM IS A CHILD CAN STILL PULL THE HANDLE TWICE TO OPEN THE DOOR WHILE IT'S MOVING, OR SIMPLY LIFT THE REAR LOCK LATCH AND PULL THE DOOR HANDLE ONCE, AND OUT THEY KID GOES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I PERSONALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THE MANUFACTURER COULD GET AWAY WITH SELLING THIS CAR WITHOUT THIS MOST BASIC SAFETY FEATURE FOR CHILDREN'S PROTECTION. EITHER WE WAIT UNTIL SOME KIDS FLY OUT THIS CAR BEFORE ACTING, OR FORCE THE MANUFACTURER TO COME UP WITH A SOLUTION TO THIS SAFETY HAZARD. *TT

May 21, 2012

WE TOW A 2009 SMART PASSION CAB BEHIND OUR RV, AS ALLOWED BY SMART AND IN WRITING WITHIN ITS OWNERS MANUAL. TWICE NOW, WE HAVE LOST THE HOOD (OR AS SMART REFERS TO IT, THE SERVICE FLAP) WHILE TOWING. THE HOOD COMPLETELY DISENGAGES FROM ITS LOCATION AND BASICALLY FLAPS AROUND UNTIL THE CAR IS PULLED OVER TO A STOP. DAMAGE HAS OCCURRED TO THE HOOD, AND THE FIRST TIME WE IMMEDIATELY REPLACED IT AT A SMART DEALER WHO STATED IT MAY HAVE BEEN OUR PROBLEM DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY THAT WE MAY HAVE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED IT.. THE SECOND TIME IT OCCURRED (IN EXACTLY THE SAME MANNER) ANOTHER SMART DEALER TOOK IT TO THE MANUFACTURER WHO DECLARED THAT BY TOWING IT BEHIND THE RV WE HAD AN UNUSUAL AMOUNT OF TURBULENCE AND THEREFORE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY,NOR WAS THERE ANY 'FIX' FOR IT. MY CONCERN IS THAT THESE SAME TURBULENCE CAN BE FELT ON AN INTERSTATE BEHIND A LARGE VEHICLE OR IN A HIGH WIND. THEREFORE I FEEL THAT IT IS MORE OF A PROBLEM THAN THE MANUFACTURE WOULD CONFIRM. WE HAVE TWO OF THE SMARTS, THE OTHER ONE IS A 2008, AND THIS SITUATION HAS NEVER OCCURRED WHILE TOWING IT. *TR

Aug 09, 2009

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz S550. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with the air condition system activated, there was hot air blowing out of the vents. The contact stated that the hot air was blowing out of the vents and the floorboard was soiled with water. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the compressor and the motherboard needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed with electrical wiring failure. The electrical wiring underneath the driver and passenger seats was burned. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000. The VIN was unavailable

Sep 25, 2023

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ S63. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, A BYSTANDER INFORMED HER UNDER THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PARK ON SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS ABLE TO EXIT HER PREGNANT SELF AND HER 4 DOGS THROUGH THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED SHE DID NOT SUSTAINED INJURIES OR SEEK ANY MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT STATED 5 BY STANDERS WHERE ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH 5 FIRE HOSES THEY ALL HAD IN HAND. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT FILED A REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000. *LN*JB

Aug 03, 2020

Fire: 1

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

I PURCHASED A LAVISH S550 AND OVER TIME I STARTED SMELLING GAS IN THE CABIN. I DIDN'T THINK TOO MUCH ABOUT IT UNTIL THE SMELL BECAME MORE PUNGENT. I GO ONLINE TO DO SOME RESEARCH AND FIND OUT SOME OF THE CARS HAD FAULTY FUEL PUMPS WHICH LEAK INTO THE BACKSEAT. NOT ONLY DOES IT LEAK BUT THE VAPORS ARE SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE CABIN MAKING IT UNBEARABLE TO BREATH. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO MERCEDES AND THEY DON'T WANNA OWN UP TO THERE FAULTY EQUIPMENT. WITH THE TEMPERATURE BEING EXTREMELY HOT I WOULD THINK MY CAR WOULD BLOW UP BECAUSE IT IS A BLACK CAR. ANY HELP WITH THIS MATTER IS APPRECIATED. MERCEDES OF SOUTH ATLANTA (SERVICE ADVISOR-TUTT) INFORMED ME TO PAY $2100 TO FIX. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM

Jun 20, 2018

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

ON 8/29/17 AROUND 11:20 - 11:30AM, I WAS DRIVING ON N270 JUST OFF FROM HOV LANE FROM S495 NEAR MONTROSE EXIT(LITTLE BIT BEFORE), SOME METALLIC ROUND WHEEL TYPE WITH SHARP EDGES AROUND FLEW OVER FROM S270. I TRIED TO AVOID IT BY SWERVE MY CAR BUT IT MUST HAVE LANDED BELOW MY CAR AND SCRATCHED UNDERNEATH WHICH CAUSED MY CAR MAKING WEIRD SOUND PLUS BURNING GASOLINE SMELL. I DIDN'T SEE MY TIRE PRESSURE GAZE CHANGE SO I WENT INTO LOCAL LANE FROM FALLS ROAD TO GET TO MY HOME. MY CAR WAS NOT STEERING PROPERLY AND I CAN SMELL GASOLINE EVEN FROM CLOSED WINDOWS. AFTER PARKING MY CAR, I SAW GASOLINE LEAKAGE FROM UNDERNEATH MY CAR. IT WAS SUCH SCARY INCIDENT AND I WAS SO LUCKY TO BE ALIVE AND NOT HURT WITH GASOLINE LEAKING FROM MY CAR.

Aug 29, 2017

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

VEHICLE FAILS TO GO IN PARK AFTER DRIVING ON THE STREET AND ARRIVING AT THE GROCERY STORE.

Jul 21, 2016

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

MY S550E TRUNK CAN REMAIN UNLOCKED AND SOMETIMES REFUSE TO LOCK - RESULTING IN COMPROMISING THE SECURITY OF THE VEHICLE. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG IN THE STATE MACHINE TO LOCK THE TRUNK. IF THE VEHICLE IS IN A LOCKED STATE AND THE REMOTE IS USED TO LOCK THE TRUCK - IT FAILS TO DO SO.

Jun 09, 2016

TIRES

1 complaint

REPLACED ALL TIRES WHEN ALL HAD SEVERE TREAD WEAR AND TWO HAD SIDE WALL BLISTERS AT 23,000 MILES. I RECEIVED AN ADJUSTMENT FOR THE REPLACEMENT. WITH ABOUT 1,000 MILES ON THE NEW TIRES THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE DEVELOPED A LARGE SIDEWALL BLISTER. *JS

Jul 06, 2014

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ S63. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE SENDING UNIT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,828. UPDATED 6/10/14*CN ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE INVOICE, THE FUEL TANK WAS CRACKED AS WELL. UPDATED 07/24/14

Apr 28, 2014

STEERING,SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

I WAS DRIVING CAR AND A WARNING LIGHT SHOWED ABS, STEERING, SUSPENSION MALFUNCTION, REFER TO OPERATORS MANUAL. APPROXIMATELY 3 MINUTES AFTER THE LIGHT SHOWED, I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CARS BRAKES LOCKED UP, THE STEERING WOULD NOT WORK AND THE CAR SWERVED ACROSS THE ROAD INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND I ENDED UP IN A CRASH THAT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL, BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AFTER HITTING SEVERAL OBJECTS INCLUDING A TREE, WE ALL WALKED OUT WITHOUT A SCRATCH, HOWEVER HAD THIS HAPPENED AT A SPEED HIGHER THAN 30 MPH I BELIEVE WE WOULD HAVE ALL DIED. THE CAR LOST ALL FUNCTIONALITY OF BRAKES AND STEERING, THE BRAKES APPEARED TO STAY ON AND LOCKED EVEN WHEN MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THEM. I HAVE DRIVEN MERCEDES FOR 30 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM EVER. ON THE GOOD SIDE ALL SAFETY FEATURES WORKED, THE AIR BAGS, THE BODY ALTHOUGH ENDING UP AT THE WINDSCREEN FROM THE FRONTAL CRASH DID NOT SMASH OR POP WINDSCREEN OUT, THE ENGINE DID NOT END UP CRUSHING OUR LEGS, IN FACT NO ONE GOT A SCRATCH ON THEM. AFTER HAVING THE CAR TOWED OUT OF DITCH IT WAS ALSO NOTED BY OTHERS THAT THE STEERING WAS NOT FUNCTIONAL. I WOULD SUGGEST THAT ANYONE WITH THIS CAR GETS IT CHECKED OUT IMMEDIATELY. *TR

Jul 07, 2013

Crash: 1

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,AIR BAGS

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ S CLASS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN A VEHICLE AHEAD OF HIM ABRUPTLY STOPPED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AS THE PEDAL WAS APPLIED DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD AND REMAINED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RELEASE THE BRAKE PEDAL AND CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SOS SYSTEM DID NOT ENGAGE. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE (SP1L15000802). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 8,000.

Aug 16, 2010

Crash: 1

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

1 complaint

I WAS ON A SNOW COVERED ROAD IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD DRIVING ABOUT 10-15 MPH AND ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN. THE CAR KEPT GOING STRAIGHT AND SLID OFF THE ROAD. THE ESP STABILITY CONTROL AND ABS FAILED TO OPERATE AT THAT POINT. THIS WAS AFTER A RECENT REPROGRAMMING BY THE DEALER. THIS FUNCTION HAD OPERATED CORRECTLY ALL WINTER PRIOR TO THAT EVENT. THE ESP LIGHT DID NOT FLASH LIKE IT NORMALLY DOES IN THAT SITUATION. THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A CAR COMING THE OTHER WAY AND I WOULD HAVE HIT THEM DUE TO THIS FAILURE. NO ERROR LIGHTS WERE DISPLAYED BY THE CAR. THE CAR GOT HUNG UP ON A BIG ROCK THAT WAS IN SOMEONE'S YARD AS A RESULT OF THE INCIDENT. I DID NOT REPORT TO THE POLICE SINCE IT WAS JUST ME AND NO APPARENT DAMAGE TO THE YARD, ONLY TO MY CAR UNDERNEATH. *TR

Apr 28, 2010

Crash: 1

4.3/5.0

54 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class have?

The 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class currently has 13 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class?

The most common problems reported for the 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ S-Class comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.