Most common 2009 Mercedes-Benz R350 problems
Share of the 15 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mercedes-Benz R350 complaints by model year
Best R350 years: 2012, 2010, 2009. Years to avoid: 2006, 2007. Compare all years →
2009 Mercedes-Benz R350 recalls (3)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML, GL, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2006-2012 ML-Class, GL-Class, and R-Class vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. Moisture may accumulate and cause corrosion in the brake booster housing unit, which can result in reduced brake performance or brake failure.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy has been performed. Dealers will remove the rubber sleeve, inspect the brake booster, and as necessary, replace the brake booster.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 ML320 BlueTec 4Matic, GL320 BlueTec 4Matic and R320 CDI 4Matic, 2011 E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet, 2009-2011 ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML550 4Matic, ML63 AMG, and C63 AMG, 2010-2011 ML450 4Matic Hybrid, E350 Coupe, E350 4Matic, E550 Coupe, E550 4Matic,…
Remedy: MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2009 Mercedes-Benz R350:
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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.
What 2009 Mercedes-Benz R350 owners say
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 #: [redacted]
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.
Windows, wipers & sunroof
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.
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. …
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2009 Mercedes-Benz R350 a good car?
Based on 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 R350 rates average: 19% fewer complaints than a typical year of the R350 at the same age. It is one of the best R350 years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2009 Mercedes-Benz R350?
The air bags — 8 complaints, 53% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the windows, wipers & sunroof (3) and seats (1).
How many recalls does the 2009 Mercedes-Benz R350 have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2009 Mercedes-Benz R350, the most recent from April 26, 2024 (vacuum). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz R350?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2012, 2010 and 2009. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2006 and 2007. See the full Mercedes-Benz R350 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2009 Mercedes-Benz R350 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 75,000 miles; 17% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.