2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Brakes
Brakes leads by volume: 2 of 5 complaints (40%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 24 in 2008 to 5 in 2009.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | vs. 2009 Large Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 4,550–5,950 | 4,850–5,950 | 4,550–5,950 | 3,700–5,950 | 3,700–5,550 | |
| Combined MPG | 13–17 | 13–16 | 13–17 | 13–21 | 14–21 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 11–14 / 17–22 | 11–14 / 17–21 | 11–14 / 17–22 | 11–19 / 17–25 | 12–19 / 19–25 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 523–684 | 555–684 | 523–684 | 423–684 | 423–635 | |
| Complaints filed | 65 | 24 | 5 | 33 | 19 | |
| Recalls issued | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
Brakes: 2 of 5 NHTSA complaints (40%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class get?
EPA rates it 13–17 MPG combined across 5 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
EPA estimates $4,550–$5,950 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (5)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 5-spd | 12 | 5.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Large Cars | 11 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | 13 mpg (low) | $5,950 (high) | 684 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S7) | 8 | 6.2L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Large Cars | 11 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | 13 mpg (low) | $5,950 (high) | 684 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S5) | 12 | 6.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Large Cars | 11 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | 13 mpg (low) | $5,950 (high) | 684 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 7-spd | 8 | 5.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Large Cars | 14 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (high) | 17 mpg (high) | $4,550 (low) | 523 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 7-spd | 8 | 5.5L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Large Cars | 14 mpg (high) | 21 mpg | 17 mpg (high) | $4,550 (low) | 523 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES · Campaign 09V081000 · Mar 12, 2009
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.