2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS550, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags116.7%
- Engine116.7%
- Fuel system116.7%
- Powertrain (other)116.7%
- Suspension116.7%
- Tires & wheels116.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS550. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AND CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE SHOULDERS, NECK, AND BACK. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED; HOWEVER, THERAPY TREATMENTS WERE RECEIVED MONTHS LATER. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOWED THE VEHICLE WITHOUT AN INVESTIGATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED ONE TSB, BUT THERE WAS NO MANUFACTURER AIR BAG RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT WAS NOTIFIED MONTHS LATER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON MAY 19, 2014 I PURCHASED A 2009 MERCEDES CLS550 FROM MOSSY FORD DEALERSHIP IN SAN DIEGO, CA WITH A GUARANTEE OF NO CURRENT OR PRE-EXISTING MECHANICAL OR HAZARD ISSUES. DAYS AFTER PURCHASE I NOTICED ACCELERATION ISSUES, STRONG ODOR OF FUEL OR CHEMICALS, ENGINE NOISE AND GAS EFFICIENCY PROBLEMS. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND ASKED TO RETURN THE VEHICLE AND ALSO CANCEL THE SALES CONTRACT BUT WAS DENIED. I WAS ASKED TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE AND THE GAS TANK WAS FILLED BY THE DEALERSHIP STATING THAT PROBLEMS WERE LIKELY CAUSED BY LOW FUEL AS THE CAR WAS PURCHASED WITH 1/4 TANK OF FUEL. THIS DID NOT FIX THE ISSUES. I ATTEMPTED TO CANCEL PAYMENT AND ASKED TO RETURN THE VEHICLE DUE TO CONTINUED ISSUES AND WAS AGAIN DENIED. DUE TO THE VEHICLE MECHANICAL FAULTS WHEN PURCHASED DIRECT EXPOSURE OF FATAL CARBON MONOXIDE POISONS AND HARMFUL GAS EMISSIONS FROM THE MERCEDES CAUSED SEVERE ILLNESS AND LIFE THREATENING SYMPTOMS INCLUDING HEADACHES, DIZZINESS, NAUSEA, FATIGUE, AND FEVER THAT QUICKLY ESCALATED TO MAJOR HEALTH PROBLEMS FOR MY FAMILY INCLUDING MY THREE MINOR CHILDREN. THE DEALERSHIP KNEW THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE AND FAULTY BUT FAILED TO DISCLOSE. THE VEHICLE FAILED THE CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS TEST RIGHT BEFORE PURCHASE FOLLOWED BY A PASSING TEST THE SAME DAY. THE SERVICE REPAIR HISTORY SHOWS THE CURRENT PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN ONGOING CONCERNS. ON JUNE 25, 2014 MY MINOR SON WAS NEAR DEATH AND ADMITTED TO THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL CRITICAL CARE UNIT WITH NAUSEA,VISION PROBLEMS, EYES SUNK IN, VOMITING, HEADACHES, EXTREME WEIGHT LOSS, FATIGUE, EXCESSIVELY HIGH BLOOD SUGAR READING OVER 800, PANCREAS DAMAGE/FAILURE, BREATHING PROBLEMS, DEHYDRATION, DIZZINESS AND UNCONSCIOUSNESS, HEMOGLOBIN, MYOGLOBIN AND BETA CELL DAMAGE, FEVER,CHILLS, CHEST PAIN, BRAIN MALFUNCTION, SEIZURE, HYPOXIA, KEYSTONES, CARBOXYHAEMOGLOBIN AND TOXINS IN BLOOD. THE VEHICLE SOLD IS A HEALTH AND SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON MAY 19, 2014 I PURCHASED A 2009 MERCEDES CLS550 FROM MOSSY FORD DEALERSHIP IN SAN DIEGO, CA WITH A GUARANTEE OF NO CURRENT OR PRE-EXISTING MECHANICAL OR HAZARD ISSUES. DAYS AFTER PURCHASE I NOTICED ACCELERATION ISSUES, STRONG ODOR OF FUEL OR CHEMICALS, ENGINE NOISE AND GAS EFFICIENCY PROBLEMS. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND ASKED TO RETURN THE VEHICLE AND ALSO CANCEL THE SALES CONTRACT BUT WAS DENIED. I WAS ASKED TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE AND THE GAS TANK WAS FILLED BY THE DEALERSHIP STATING THAT PROBLEMS WERE LIKELY CAUSED BY LOW FUEL AS THE CAR WAS PURCHASED WITH 1/4 TANK OF FUEL. THIS DID NOT FIX THE ISSUES. I ATTEMPTED TO CANCEL PAYMENT AND ASKED TO RETURN THE VEHICLE DUE TO CONTINUED ISSUES AND WAS AGAIN DENIED. DUE TO THE VEHICLE MECHANICAL FAULTS WHEN PURCHASED DIRECT EXPOSURE OF FATAL CARBON MONOXIDE POISONS AND HARMFUL GAS EMISSIONS FROM THE MERCEDES CAUSED SEVERE ILLNESS AND LIFE THREATENING SYMPTOMS INCLUDING HEADACHES, DIZZINESS, NAUSEA, FATIGUE, AND FEVER THAT QUICKLY ESCALATED TO MAJOR HEALTH PROBLEMS FOR MY FAMILY INCLUDING MY THREE MINOR CHILDREN. THE DEALERSHIP KNEW THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE AND FAULTY BUT FAILED TO DISCLOSE. THE VEHICLE FAILED THE CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS TEST RIGHT BEFORE PURCHASE FOLLOWED BY A PASSING TEST THE SAME DAY. THE SERVICE REPAIR HISTORY SHOWS THE CURRENT PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN ONGOING CONCERNS. ON JUNE 25, 2014 MY MINOR SON WAS NEAR DEATH AND ADMITTED TO THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL CRITICAL CARE UNIT WITH NAUSEA,VISION PROBLEMS, EYES SUNK IN, VOMITING, HEADACHES, EXTREME WEIGHT LOSS, FATIGUE, EXCESSIVELY HIGH BLOOD SUGAR READING OVER 800, PANCREAS DAMAGE/FAILURE, BREATHING PROBLEMS, DEHYDRATION, DIZZINESS AND UNCONSCIOUSNESS, HEMOGLOBIN, MYOGLOBIN AND BETA CELL DAMAGE, FEVER,CHILLS, CHEST PAIN, BRAIN MALFUNCTION, SEIZURE, HYPOXIA, KEYSTONES, CARBOXYHAEMOGLOBIN AND TOXINS IN BLOOD. THE VEHICLE SOLD IS A HEALTH AND SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON MAY 19, 2014 I PURCHASED A 2009 MERCEDES CLS550 FROM MOSSY FORD DEALERSHIP IN SAN DIEGO, CA WITH A GUARANTEE OF NO CURRENT OR PRE-EXISTING MECHANICAL OR HAZARD ISSUES. DAYS AFTER PURCHASE I NOTICED ACCELERATION ISSUES, STRONG ODOR OF FUEL OR CHEMICALS, ENGINE NOISE AND GAS EFFICIENCY PROBLEMS. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND ASKED TO RETURN THE VEHICLE AND ALSO CANCEL THE SALES CONTRACT BUT WAS DENIED. I WAS ASKED TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE AND THE GAS TANK WAS FILLED BY THE DEALERSHIP STATING THAT PROBLEMS WERE LIKELY CAUSED BY LOW FUEL AS THE CAR WAS PURCHASED WITH 1/4 TANK OF FUEL. THIS DID NOT FIX THE ISSUES. I ATTEMPTED TO CANCEL PAYMENT AND ASKED TO RETURN THE VEHICLE DUE TO CONTINUED ISSUES AND WAS AGAIN DENIED. DUE TO THE VEHICLE MECHANICAL FAULTS WHEN PURCHASED DIRECT EXPOSURE OF FATAL CARBON MONOXIDE POISONS AND HARMFUL GAS EMISSIONS FROM THE MERCEDES CAUSED SEVERE ILLNESS AND LIFE THREATENING SYMPTOMS INCLUDING HEADACHES, DIZZINESS, NAUSEA, FATIGUE, AND FEVER THAT QUICKLY ESCALATED TO MAJOR HEALTH PROBLEMS FOR MY FAMILY INCLUDING MY THREE MINOR CHILDREN. THE DEALERSHIP KNEW THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE AND FAULTY BUT FAILED TO DISCLOSE. THE VEHICLE FAILED THE CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS TEST RIGHT BEFORE PURCHASE FOLLOWED BY A PASSING TEST THE SAME DAY. THE SERVICE REPAIR HISTORY SHOWS THE CURRENT PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN ONGOING CONCERNS. ON JUNE 25, 2014 MY MINOR SON WAS NEAR DEATH AND ADMITTED TO THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL CRITICAL CARE UNIT WITH NAUSEA,VISION PROBLEMS, EYES SUNK IN, VOMITING, HEADACHES, EXTREME WEIGHT LOSS, FATIGUE, EXCESSIVELY HIGH BLOOD SUGAR READING OVER 800, PANCREAS DAMAGE/FAILURE, BREATHING PROBLEMS, DEHYDRATION, DIZZINESS AND UNCONSCIOUSNESS, HEMOGLOBIN, MYOGLOBIN AND BETA CELL DAMAGE, FEVER,CHILLS, CHEST PAIN, BRAIN MALFUNCTION, SEIZURE, HYPOXIA, KEYSTONES, CARBOXYHAEMOGLOBIN AND TOXINS IN BLOOD. THE VEHICLE SOLD IS A HEALTH AND SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE ISSUES REGARDING THE MERCEDES AIRMATIC SUSPENSION SYSTEM HAVE BEEN WIDELY KNOWN FOR YEARS, AND MERCEDES NEVER MADE AN EFFORT TO MITIGATE THE MERCEDES LOYAL OWNERS EXCESSIVE EXPENSE TO COVER THE REPAIR. IT IS ALSO HARD TO BELIEVE THE DEALER NEVER INFORMED, INSPECTED OR RECOMMENDED REPAIRS TO THE AIRMATIC SYSTEM. IT TOOK BREAKING DOWN OFF THE HIGHWAY WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR TO DISCOVER THIS PROBLEM. THE SUSPENSION FAILED AND THE CAR COULD NOT BE DRIVEN. A A TOW WAS NECESSARY AND A HUGE REPAIR BILL FOLLOWED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ CLS550 EQUIPPED WITH SENTRY THUNDER D7 TIRES, SIZE: 275/30/R20. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TIRES EXHIBITED THREAD SEPARATION. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT IT WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .