Mercedes-Benz S-Class problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 13 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
Above-average reliability for the segment. Few systemic issues on file.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.8/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Ask anything about your 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz S550. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with the air condition system activated, there was hot air blowing out of the vents. The contact stated that the hot air was blowing out of the vents and the floorboard was…
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…
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-benz s63. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, a bystander informed her under the vehicle was on fire. The contact was able to park on side of the road. The contact stated she was unable to open the front driver side door. The contact…
Vehicle fails to go in park after driving on the street and arriving at the grocery store.
Common questions
Is the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.8 out of 10 based on 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
On the NHTSA data, the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.8/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class to flag a standout failure pattern. Run the VIN for open recalls — those are free to fix regardless of warranty — get a standard pre-purchase inspection, and ask the seller for service records.
Is the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 13 owner complaints. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
No problem area has crossed our reporting threshold yet, which is a good sign for this vehicle.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
Major repair items haven't been flagged often enough on this vehicle to single one out.
How do I check if my Mercedes-Benz S-Class has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 13 complaints on file, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.