2009 Mercedes Benz CLS550: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
4 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
68,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 4 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 25.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 1 |
Air Bags: 1; Engine: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Power Train: 1; Suspension: 1; Tires:Tread/Belt: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 1 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
2014: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10616261 · 2014-07-25 (July 25, 2014)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. 61,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10616261 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10915588 · 2016-10-12 (October 12, 2016)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 68,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10915588 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10981041 · 2017-04-27 (April 27, 2017)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10981041 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11041817 · 2017-10-31 (October 31, 2017)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11041817 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
19V918000 · Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Reported: 2019-12-20 (December 20, 2019)
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: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V918-4126.pdf
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗22V954000 · Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Reported: 2022-12-23 (December 23, 2022)
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.
Consequence: 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 NHTSA recall number 19V-918. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010004, 2023010005, and 2023010006.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V874000 · Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Reported: 2024-11-19 (November 19, 2024)
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.
Consequence: 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 NHTSA recall number 22V-954. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120001/2/3.
NHTSA campaign record ↗