2009 Mercedes Benz M-CLASS: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Structure:Body:Tailgate is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 1 complaints (100.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Structure:Body:Tailgate | 1 |
Structure:Body:Tailgate: 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 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 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 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 |
2009: 1
Pattern summary
Structure:Body:Tailgate leads the component reports. 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 10283372 · 2009-09-09 (September 9, 2009)
POWER TAILGATES FOR SOME MFG,S (INCLUDING EVEN MERCEDES BENZ) ARE POORLY DESIGNED, HAVING NO LIMIT SWITCHES TO PREVENT CRUSHING A PERSON CAUGHT NEAR THE CLOSING TAILGATE!!! *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10283372 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
09V076000 · Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights
Reported: 2009-03-10 (March 10, 2009)
MERCEDES BENZ IS RECALLING 16,130 MY 2009 M-CLASS W164 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE OPTIONAL POWER LIFT GATE. AS A RESULT OF A FAULTY SEAL AROUND THE REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY, WATER MAY ENTER THE REAR COMPARTMENT CONTAINING THE SPARE TIRE. WATER CONTAMINATION OF THE CONTROL UNIT FOR THE POWER LIFT GATE CAN RESULT IN DISABLING OF THE POWER LIFT GATE MOTOR.
Consequence: WATER WILL CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT WHICH COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAL OF THE REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY WITH A THICKER ONE AND REPOSITION THE AFFECTED POWER LIFT GATE CONTROL UNIT INSIDE THE CHASSIS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
NHTSA campaign record ↗Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
1 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 2006 | 2007 | 2009 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 214.3%ODI 10142963 · 4,481 mi2006 MERCEDES ML 350 - WATER GOT SPILLED ON FLOOR IN PASSENGER REAR SEAT AREA; UNKNOWN TO US, THERE IS ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY - REFERRED TO AS THE FRT SAM IN THE INVOICE. THIS CAUSED THE ENTIRE CAR TO SHUT DOWN, AND AT ONE POINT THE CAR STALLED IN TRAFFIC WHILE BEING DRIVEN. ALSO CAUSED A SHORT IN A POWER WINDOW THAT CREATED A LOT OF SMOKE. THERE IS A CUP HOLDER IN THE BACK SEAT, AND THAT IS WHERE KIDS SIT, BUT WE DID NOT KNOW THAT A LIQUID SPILL IN THE REAR SEAT COULD CAUSE THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND THUS THE CAR TO SHUT DOWN (EVEN THE … | 150.0%ODI 10444887 · 97,900 miMALFUNCTION IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK REST HEATING SYSTEM CAUSED MELTING OF THE UPHOLSTERY AND OF THE OUTER LAYER OF THE DRIVER'S CAR COAT AT THE MELTED SEAT-BACK UPHOLSTERY. NO OVERT FIRE. ACTION TAKEN: SWITCHED OFF SEAT HEAT. BARE WIRES VISIBLE INSIDE THE SEAT-BACK. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 321.4%ODI 10138650DT: 2006 MERCEDES ML350. VEHICLE SURGES WHEN STARTING/ PULLING OUT AND COMING TO A STOP. . THE DEALERSHIP HAS VEHICLE FOR FIVE WEEKS AND THEY STILL HAVEN'T FOUND THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM STARTED OCCURRING AFTER TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE. NO ACCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 214.3%ODI 10132005 · 500 miREGARDING: ODI ID NUMBER 10130895 I HAD SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE AND MERCEDES BENZ COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND BLAMED IT ON ME FOR DRIVING WITH TWO FEET. I DON'T DRIVE WITH TWO FEET AND I REFUSED TO ACCEPT THE CAR WITHOUT ANYTHING BEING DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE NEXT DAY THEY CALLED AND HAD A CODE FOR A FAULTY CRANK SENSOR WHICH THEY REPLACED. I HAVEN'T NOTICED ANY PROBLEMS SINCE THEN BUT IT WAS VERY UNNERVING TO KNOW MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE (ML500 '06) WHILE THESE PROBLEMS COULD HAPPEN. SOMEONE SHOULD RECALL THIS… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 214.3%ODI 10130895 · 3,090 miSUV ENGINE STALLED 7/3/2005 GOING 65 MPH WITHOUT WARNING; SUV RESTARTED AFTER STALL. SUV ENGINE STALLED AGAIN 7/22/2005 GOING 45 MPH WITHOUT WARNING; SUV DID NOT RESTART AFTER STALL. TOWED TO DEALER. THE DEALER FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE AND SAID CAUSE WAS WATER THAT SPILLED DURING THE INCIDENT HOWEVER WATER SPILLED BECAUSE OF INCIDENT NOT BEFORE. SUV HAD STALLED 3 WEEKS PRIOR AND NO WATER WAS INVOLVED. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE FOR FEAR IT WILL STALL AND I WILL GET HIT FROM BEHIND CAUSING BODILY INJURY OR DEATH. PLEASE HELP I… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Seats | 17.1%ODI 10458972 · 150,136 miWHEN THE SEAT HEATER WAS ACTIVATED A BURNING SMELL FILLED THE CABIN. SOME SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE LOWER, LEFT SIDE OF THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE SWITCH TURNED OFF ON ITS OWN. THERE IS A HOLE, APPROXIMATELY 3/4 IN. IN DIAMETER ON THE SEAT. *TR | 150.0%ODI 10444887 · 97,900 miMALFUNCTION IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK REST HEATING SYSTEM CAUSED MELTING OF THE UPHOLSTERY AND OF THE OUTER LAYER OF THE DRIVER'S CAR COAT AT THE MELTED SEAT-BACK UPHOLSTERY. NO OVERT FIRE. ACTION TAKEN: SWITCHED OFF SEAT HEAT. BARE WIRES VISIBLE INSIDE THE SEAT-BACK. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Steering | 214.3%ODI 10295444THE STEERING PUMP WAS DAMAGED BY A LEAK. I PREVIOUSLY BROUGHT THE CAR IN COMPLAINING THERE WAS A LOUD WHIRRING NOISE. I WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED. THEN THIS PROBLEM BEGAN AGAIN, I FOUND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS DENIED REPAIR OR THAT THERE WAS ANY RECALL THAT EXISTED. THE RECALL NUMBER IS 05V224000. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Power Train | 17.1%ODI 10432214 · 74,600 miTWO PROBLEMS - FIRST, TRANSMISSION DO NOT SWITCH HIGHER THAN SECOND SPEED. UPON ENGINE RESTART, VEHICLE DROVE PROPERLY. SECOND, ON ANOTHER OCCASION, I WAS SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO PULL OFF, THE VEHICLE STARTED DRIVING VERY SLOW AND ROUGH. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD; TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND WAITED FOR A FEW SECONDS. WHEN I STARTED THE VEHICLE AGAIN AND ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE AWAY, THE VEHICLE DROVE PROPERLY. MERCEDES DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THESE ISSUES, AND ALSO MANY OF PEOPLE I KNOW WHO HAVE MERCEDES WITH SAME TRA… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/Cooler | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 10297463 · 403,766 miSEAT WARMER BURNED A HOLE THROUGH MY DRIVER'S SEAT. APPROXIMATELY 2'-3' IN HEIGHT AND APPROXIMATELY 1/2' IN LENGTH. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No usable records for this analysis. | ||||
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2007: 1 complaints · 2009: 1 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Structure:Body:Tailgate |
|---|---|
| Structure:Body:Tailgate | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.