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.
The worst 2009 Mercedes Benz CLS550 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Airbags1
- Engine1
- Fuel system1
- Suspension1
- Tires1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags1
- Engine1
- Fuel system1
- Suspension1
- Tires1
- Transmission1
Recalls 3
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and can detach.
- Risk
- A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372. This recall is an expansion of previous the federal safety agency recall number 22V‑954. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120001/2/3.
Recall number 24V874000 · Recall details
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and may detach.
- Risk
- A detached sunroof panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372. This recall expands the federal safety agency recall number 19V‑918. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010004, 2023010005, and 2023010006.
Recall number 22V954000 · Recall details
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly resulting in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle. For a full list of the affected models visit:
- Risk
- A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1‑800‑367‑6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020040011.
Recall number 19V918000 · Recall details
See all 3 recalls for the 2009 Mercedes Benz CLS550
Defect investigations
Loss of rear lighting assembly
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of loss of rear lighting in model year (MY) 2008-2011 Mercedes Benz C-Class vehicles.Complainants alleged that one or both rear lighting assemblies fail to illuminate (i.e., all lights housed within the assembly extinguish, including the stop, tail, and turn signal functions) or illuminate dimly.In some reports, complainants also alleged that the failure was accompanied by a burning smell emanating from the trunk of the vehicle.When examined, these vehicles showed evidence of overheating at the lighting assembly harness connector, including damaged (blackened) wiring and plastic.The rear lighting failures typically involved one side of the vehicle however in some cases both assemblies failed (although probably not simultaneously).ODI identified 5 fire and one injury allegations during the course of this investigation.Two fires occurred while the vehicles were parked.One originated in the vicinity of the driver?s side light assembly where the fire and associated damage was confined to the trunk area, and the fire self extinguished due to oxygen starvation.As a result of the fire, the vehicle was repurchased by Mercedes and salvaged.The second fire originated on the passenger's side and required fire department response to extinguish; the fire damaged the tail light and surrounding body panels as well as the trunk area and wiring.The vehicle was repaired and returned to service.Two firesoccurred while the vehicle was being driven.In the first instance, the driver detected an odor and pulled over to observe smoking and a small flame at the lighting assembly wiring in the trunk.The owner was able to extinguish the fire before any significant damage occurred.In the second instance, the driver smelled smoke, pulled over, and opened the trunk to find smoke and sparks emanating from the forward facing side of the tail light.The driver was able to extinguish the sparks and drive the vehicle to the dealer. A fifth fire was reported by a fleet manager who observed a vehicle with fire damage originating near one of the tail light assemblies.The injury incident occurred when a technician burned their hand while diagnosing a failed light.The technician touched the tail light wiring which was hot enough to burn him although the injury did not require medical attention.On April 10th, 2014, Mercedes notified ODI that it would conduct a safety recall to remedy the rear light assemblies in approximately 252,867 MY 2008 - 2011 C-Class vehicles including the C300, C350 and C63 AMG models.Each rear light assembly has separate bulbs that act as brake, tail lamp, backup and turn signal indicators.The bulbs are mounted in a bulb carrier which uses a common electrical ground circuit at the harness connection.According to Mercedes, oxidation due to the use of dissimilar metals on the harness and bulb carrier electrical connectors can result in increased resistance and a subsequent dimming or loss of lighting function.The heat caused by the increased resistance/oxidation can also lead to the melting of the surrounding plastic, or in some cases, present a fire hazard.In conducting recall 14V‑171, Mercedes dealers will inspect the left and right bulb carriers and harness connectors for the presence of dissimilar electrical connectors and/or evidence of related thermal damage; affected bulb carriers and/or harness connectors will be replaced free of charge.Mercedes notes that service replacement bulb carriers produced from January 2012 eliminate the dissimilar metal condition and that these bulb carriers will not requ
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Technical service bulletins for the 2009 Mercedes Benz CLS550 83
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- The warranty on the SBC Hydraulic Unit for MY 2003-2006 Model 211, MY 2006 Model 219, and Model Year...
- In our continuing efforts to enhance the satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) has...
- Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE: Although the symptom is...
- Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors
- Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end)
- There are several types of complaint about noises or poor windshield wiper wiping performance: A: Wiper...
- Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged
- Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged
- Headlamps leaking or fogged
- Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end)
What 2009 Mercedes Benz CLS550 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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.
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.
Compare the 2009 Mercedes Benz CLS550
Other model years
Questions about the 2009 Mercedes Benz CLS550
Is the 2009 Mercedes Benz CLS550 reliable?
Owners have filed 4 complaints about the 2009 Mercedes Benz CLS550, fewer than a typical CLS550 model year.
What is the 2009 Mercedes Benz CLS550 year score?
The 2009 Mercedes Benz CLS550 scores 91 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Mercedes Benz CLS550: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2009 Mercedes Benz CLS550?
Airbags, with 1 complaint. Next is engine (1).
How many recalls does the 2009 Mercedes Benz CLS550 have?
3 recalls, covering visibility.
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