2009 Mercedes-Benz R350 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 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.
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
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.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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 !
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
Rear Panoramic Roof Glass Cracks
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 .