Owners have filed 19 complaints
about the 2009 Mercedes Benz R350 with NHTSA between 2010 and 2023.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 5 of 6 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 19
Against the median year of the Mercedes Benz R350. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 68
40% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2009 compares with every other Mercedes Benz R350
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2009 Mercedes Benz R350
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
842.1%
Median failure at 75,000 miles
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
315.8%
Median failure at 75,000 miles
Other & Unspecified
15.3%
Median failure at 3,000 miles
Seats
15.3%
Median failure at 3,000 miles
Seat Belts
15.3%
Fuel & Propulsion
15.3%
Median failure at 77,000 miles
Lights
15.3%
Median failure at 51,000 miles
Body & Structure
15.3%
Electrical System
15.3%
Median failure at 3,000 miles
Engine & Cooling
15.3%
Median failure at 3,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
440.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
220.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
330.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
110.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Aug 2010peak 4Feb 2023
NHTSA investigations into the 2009 Mercedes Benz R350
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C...
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Las Vegas, NV
STRUCTURE:BODY
Rear Panoramic Roof Glass Cracks
NHTSA complaint #11509176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Reseda, CA
SEAT BELTS
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 complaint #11152344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rolling Hills, CA
AIR BAGS
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).
NHTSA complaint #11101124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,000 milesPhiladelphia, PA
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
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.
NHTSA complaint #11081564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,000 milesAthens, OH
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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 complaint #11074658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Salem, PA
AIR BAGS
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 complaint #11060874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newport Beach, CA
AIR BAGS
WE RECEIVED A RECALL IN FEBRUARY 2016 AND STILL THERE ARE NO REPLACEMENTS AVAILABLE. WHY SEND A RECALL WITH NO POSSIBLE RESOLUTION? I GUESS WE JUST CROSS OUR FINGERS AND HOPE?
NHTSA complaint #11044930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Soquel, CA
AIR BAGS
THERE IS A RECALL NOTICE FEB 11, 2016 AND TO DATE I HAVE NOT =BEEN CONTACTED ABOUT REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE AIR BAG. WHAT DO I DO
NHTSA complaint #11042692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lawrence, KS
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL, NO REMEDY FROM MERCEDES AS OF YET
NHTSA complaint #11041061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
White Plains, NY
AIR BAGS
I RECEIVED A "TAKATA RECALL" NOTICE ALMOST 2 YEARS AGO ALLEGING THAT MY CURRENT AIRBAG CAN CAUSE SERIOUS BODILY INJURY, HARM OR DEATH. I'VE REPEATEDLY TRIED TO CONTACT MERCEDES BENZ TO REPLACE MY AIRBAG AS INSTRUCTED FROM PREVIOUS NOTIFICATIONS AND EVERY SINGLE TIME, I'M TOLD THAT THE PARTS FOR MY CAR ARE NOT YET AVAILABLE. WILL THEY BECOME AVAILABLE AFTER I DIE OR GET SERIOUSLY INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT????
NHTSA complaint #11039762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ypsilanti, MI
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MERCEDES-BENZ R350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V081000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10927430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesAkron, OH
AIR BAGS
DRIVERS SIDE REAR AIR BAG CONSTANTLY LOSING AIR PRESSURE. NO WARNING LIGHT, BOTH WHILE PARKED AND WHILE DRIVING. FENDER NEARLY TOUCHES THE TIRE, VEHICLE LEANS AND BECOMES UNSTABLE. NO VISUAL EVIDENCE OF CRACKED OR DETERIORATION .
NHTSA complaint #10648566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesSicklerville, NJ
VISIBILITY/WIPER
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.
NHTSA complaint #10523594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 51,000 milesChatham, NJ
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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).
NHTSA complaint #10386797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 51,000 milesChatham, NJ
VISIBILITY
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).
NHTSA complaint #10386797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,000 milesGreer, SC
SEATS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10347761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,000 milesGreer, SC
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
NHTSA complaint #10347761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,000 milesGreer, SC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10347761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,000 milesGreer, SC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10347761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.