RoadVitals

2009 Mercedes-Benz R350 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
15
Latest Feb 26, 2023
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
9
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2009 Mercedes-Benz R350, 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

  • Airbags844.4%
  • Visibility316.7%
  • Electrical15.6%
  • Engine15.6%
  • Fuel system15.6%
  • Interior & seats15.6%
  • Exterior lighting15.6%
  • Seat belts15.6%
  • Body & structure15.6%

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.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I HAVE BEEN RECEIVING SAFETY RECALL NOTICES FROM MERCEDES BENZ SEVERAL TIME IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS. EACH TIME THAT I CALL MERCEDES BENZ OF SOUTH BAY IN TORRANCE, CA, THEY TELL ME THAT THEY DON'T HAVE THE PART. SINCE THE SAFETY RECALL IS ABOUT THE AIR BAGS, IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT THAT THEY GET FIXED. I AM REALLY FRUSTRATED, CAN YOU HELP ME. VIN #: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID 11101124 · filed Jun 11, 2018

RECEIVED LETTER TELLING ME TO CONTACT YOU FOR A FREE AIRBAG REPLACEMENT. THESE AIRBAGS INFLATORS ARE DEFECTED ON MY VEHICLE. PLEASE CONTACT ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND PROVIDE DEALER THAT CAN HANDLE THIS ISSUE NEAR MY HOMETOWN.

NHTSA ID 11060874 · filed Jan 6, 2018
All 8 reports naming airbags

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES BENZ R350. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD SOMETHING LIKE A LOUD POPPING SOUND. AT THAT POINT, THE CONTACT REALIZED THAT THE SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED WITHOUT IMPACT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THE FAILURE HAD NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THIS FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. *TT

NHTSA ID 11081564 · filed Mar 27, 2018

MY FAMILY AND I WERE DRIVING HOME FROM VACATION ON INTERSTATE 95 NORTH. THERE WAS A HEAVY DOWNPOUR OF RAIN, AND IN THE MIDST OF ALL THAT RAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CEASE TO OPERATE. WE BEGAN TO PANIC BECAUSE THE RAIN WAS SO HEAVY. I BEGAN TO TURN THE SWITCH TO THE WINDSHIELD WIPER OFF AND ON. FINALLY, I HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN, BACK ON. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED PARTIALLY TO OUR FINAL DESTINATION. ON A DIFFERENT DAY, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE 2009 MERCEDES BENZ R350 ON INTERSTATE 295 NORTH ON HER WAY TO WORK, IT STARTED TO RAIN VERY HEAVILY. AGAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CEASE TO OPERATE AND VISIBILITY WAS VERY POOR. MY WIFE WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AND COULD NOT PULL OVER DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY. AS THIS WAS VERY UNSAFE, AN 18 WHEELER TRUCK WAS APPROACHING FROM BEHIND AND IMMEDIATELY, MY WIFE PUT ON HER FLASHERS. IF NOT FOR MY WIFE'S QUICK THINKING, SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED OR WORSE. MY WIFE WAS TOTALLY SHOOK UP FROM THIS INCIDENT, AND SHE WILL NOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE UNTIL IT IS REPAIRED. ONE OF THE MAIN REASON WE PURCHASED THE 2009 R 350 WAS FOR MERCEDES OUTSTANDING SAFETY RECORD. *TR

NHTSA ID 10523594 · filed Jul 7, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WIFE IS DISABLED WITH A BACK INJURY LUMBAR SUPPORT HAS FAILED 4 TIMES IN 7 MONTHS PART WAS FINALLY ORDERED FROM GERMANY AND THE ITEM SEEMS FIXED WHINING NOISE COMES FROM UNDER THE HOOD. MERCEDES ENGINEER SAYS IT IS A AC PRESSURE RELEASE VALVE...AND REFUSES TO FIX IT AGAIN.....CAR WAS IN THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES FOR THIS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10347761 · filed Aug 6, 2010

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WIFE IS DISABLED WITH A BACK INJURY LUMBAR SUPPORT HAS FAILED 4 TIMES IN 7 MONTHS PART WAS FINALLY ORDERED FROM GERMANY AND THE ITEM SEEMS FIXED WHINING NOISE COMES FROM UNDER THE HOOD. MERCEDES ENGINEER SAYS IT IS A AC PRESSURE RELEASE VALVE...AND REFUSES TO FIX IT AGAIN.....CAR WAS IN THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES FOR THIS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10347761 · filed Aug 6, 2010

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

IN 4 SEPARATE INCIDENTS SINCE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN 2012, I HAVE RUN OUT OF GAS BUT THE GAS GAUGE SHOWS MORE THAN 1/4 TANK OF FUEL AVAILABLE. MOST RECENTLY, ON FEB 12,2018, MY CAR STOPPED WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH ON I-270 IN COLUMBUS OH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WITH NO WARNING AND 1/3 TANK OF GAS SHOWING ON THE GAUGE. I FEARED FOR MY AND MY DAUGHTER'S LIVES, AS A CAR WITH NO FUEL IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. I ASKED AN AUTHORIZED MB DEALER (ASTORG) TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM 2 YEARS AGO AND THEY COULD NOT FIND A REASON FOR THE ISSUE. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ID 11074658 · filed Feb 24, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WIFE IS DISABLED WITH A BACK INJURY LUMBAR SUPPORT HAS FAILED 4 TIMES IN 7 MONTHS PART WAS FINALLY ORDERED FROM GERMANY AND THE ITEM SEEMS FIXED WHINING NOISE COMES FROM UNDER THE HOOD. MERCEDES ENGINEER SAYS IT IS A AC PRESSURE RELEASE VALVE...AND REFUSES TO FIX IT AGAIN.....CAR WAS IN THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES FOR THIS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10347761 · filed Aug 6, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVING THROUGH SNOW STORM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE WHICH TURNED INTO HEAVY RAIN IN MA. APPROX. 3-4 HOURS INTO TRIP DRIVING CAREFULLY THROUGH WINTER STORM LIKE CONDITIONS ON MASS PIKE IN LEFT LANE AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING, BLINKERS STOPPED WORKING, HAZARDS STOPPED WORKING COULDN'T GET OVER SAFELY DON'T THINK BRAKES OR ACCELERATION WORKING BUT COULD STEER SO FRIGHTENED AND COULDN'T SEE AHEAD SINCE HEAVY RAIN - GOT TO SHOULDER BY USING OUTSIDE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR AND TURNED CAR INTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO STOP IT, DON'T THINK BRAKES WORKING SINCE WE KIND OF CRASHED STOPPED BUT DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO REALLY TEST ANYTHING CAREFULLY SINCE JUST THINKING ABOUT MY 2 KIDS IN THE BACK OF CAR. ONCE CAR STOPPED COULDN'T GET OUT SINCE DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT OPEN. TERRIFIED IT WAS ELECTRICAL AND WE WERE TRAPPED INSIDE. CALLED 911 AND OFFICER ASKED ME WHERE IWAS AND I DIDN'T KNOW AND WAS SO PANICKED THINKING TRAPPED INSIDE CAR. OFFICER YELLED AT ME TO LOOK FOR SIGN SO HE COULD SEND HELP AND I WENT OVER TO PASSENGER FRONT SEAT SIDE TO LOOK OUT AND LUCKILY THAT DOOR OPENED MANUALLY. CAR IS A MERCEDES BENZ R CLASS I THINK IT IS A 2009 OR 2008, I CAN CHECK. CAR IS IN SHOP, DEALER SAID IT WAS BATTERY BUT I DON'T THINK SO SINCE SCREEN FOR NAVIGATION WAS ON BRIGHTLY LIT UP WHICH WOULDN'T BE IF BATTERY DIED. VERY SCARY, VERY DANGEROUS, VERY LUCKY WE WERE NOT KILLED. STILL NOT SURE HOW ON EARTH WE GOT OVER TO THE SIDE WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT OR BEING HIT I COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING AT ALL OUT FRONT WINDOW AND COULD NOT SIGNAL TROUBLE OR CHANGING LANES AND COULD NOT STOP. I COULD STEER WHICH IS HOW I GOT OVER. MAYBE I COULD BRAKE, HONESTLY NOT SURE JUST KNOW WE HIT GRASS VERY HARD UPON STOPPING. CAR WAS IN CONTROL OF ME -- TOO ELECTRONIC AND NO WARNING OR AUTOMATIC HAZARDS (UNLESS THEY WENT ON AND I COULDN'T SEE THEM BUT THEY WERE NOT ON WHEN TOW TRUCK ARRIVED). *TR

NHTSA ID 10386797 · filed Mar 8, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

REAR SEATBELTS RANDOMLY GET STUCK RETRACTED ALL THE WAY OR PARTIALLY OUT AND BECOME UNUSABLE FOR THE ( MIDDLE ROW) REAR PASSENGERS. THIS MALFUNCTION WAS NOTICED ON OR AROUND 8/30/2014 AND HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE TO ITS CURRENT STATE OF USELESSNESS !

NHTSA ID 11152344 · filed Nov 18, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

Rear Panoramic Roof Glass Cracks

NHTSA ID 11509176 · filed Feb 26, 2023

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

Data on this page last refreshed .