Check a VIN

2009 Mercedes Benz S Class problems

The most common problem on the 2009 Mercedes Benz S Class is airbags. It has fewer complaints than a typical S Class model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
94/100
Owner complaints
2
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
11
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
13-17mpg

The worst 2009 Mercedes Benz S Class problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Airbags
    1
  • Brakes
    1
  • Locks
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Airbags
    1
  • Brakes
    1
  • Locks
    1

Recalls 1

Latches/locks/linkagesReported March 13, 2009 · 54 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Mercedes benz is recalling 54 my 2009 s-class, w221 vehicles. During production the front and rear passenger side door locks may have been mistakenly interchanged during production. The exchange of a front and a rear passenger side door lock would result in a passenger side door that cannot be opened by merely pulling on the interior handle and a rear door lock that can be opened with a simple pull of the interior door handle even if locked.
Risk
This situation could affect the safe exiting of a vehicle in the event of a crash or protection of children from inadvertent opening of the rear door.
Remedy
Dealers will check the part number on all door locks and replace any incorrectly installed door lock free of charge. The recall began on march 27, 2009. Owners may contact mercedes benz at 1‑800‑367‑6372.

Recall number 09V081000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2009 Mercedes Benz S Class

Technical service bulletins for the 2009 Mercedes Benz S Class 11

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 11 bulletins for the 2009 Mercedes Benz S Class

2009 Mercedes Benz S Class fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
5.5L 8‑cyl4WD142117
5.5L 12‑cylRWD111713
6.2L 8‑cylRWD111713
6.0L 12‑cylRWD111713

What 2009 Mercedes Benz S Class owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed May 21, 2012 · Locks · NY

There are no child safety locks on the rear doors. The manufacturer seems to think the fact that the door locks once the car is moving over a specific speed is good enough, the problem is a child can still pull the handle twice to open the door while it's moving, or simply lift the rear lock latch and pull the door handle once, and out they kid goes at highway speeds. I personally don't understand how the manufacturer could get away with selling this car without this most basic safety feature for children's protection. Either we wait until some kids fly out this car before acting, or force the manufacturer to come up with a solution to this safety hazard.

Filed Aug 16, 2010 · Airbags, Brakes · 8,000 miles · NY · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 mercedes benz s class. The contact was driving 55 MPH when a vehicle ahead of him abruptly stopped. The contact applied the brakes as the pedal was applied down to the floorboard and remained. The contact was unable to release the brake pedal and crashed into the preceding vehicle. The frontal air bags did not deploy and the sos system did not engage. There were no reported injuries. A police report was available (sp1l15000802). The vehicle was towed to a local repair facility. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and the current mileages were 8,000.

Compare the 2009 Mercedes Benz S Class

Other model years

19941995199619971998199920002001200220032004200520092012

Questions about the 2009 Mercedes Benz S Class

Is the 2009 Mercedes Benz S Class reliable?

Owners have filed 2 complaints about the 2009 Mercedes Benz S Class, fewer than a typical S Class model year.

What is the 2009 Mercedes Benz S Class year score?

The 2009 Mercedes Benz S Class scores 94 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Mercedes Benz S Class: 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 S Class?

Airbags, with 1 complaint. Next is brakes (1).

How many recalls does the 2009 Mercedes Benz S Class have?

1 recall, covering latches/locks/linkages.

What gas mileage does the 2009 Mercedes Benz S Class get?

Official estimates for the 2009 Mercedes Benz S Class range from 13 to 17 mpg combined. The most efficient version (5.5L 8-cyl, 4WD) gets 14 city and 21 highway.

Share your experience with the 2009 Mercedes Benz S Class

Tell other buyers what went wrong and what it cost. We review every report before it appears, and we never publish names, emails or VINs.

No names, contact details or links. Reports about a dealer or a person are not published.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2009 Mercedes Benz S Class?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history
Is this car on a recall?Check VIN