Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

2009 Mercedes Benz R320: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

2 owner complaints analyzed

3 distinct recall campaigns

95,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2009 model year. Data updated: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 2 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Air Bags
1
Engine
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags1
Engine1

Air Bags: 1; Engine: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
1
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9991
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 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.

2014
1
2017
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20141
20171

2014: 1; 2017: 1

Pattern summary

Air Bags 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 10597528 · 2014-06-11 (June 11, 2014)

I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD WHEN I HIT A POTHOLE. VEHICLE THEN STARTED SHUTTING DOWN. IT EVENTUALLY STOPPED AND I COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE STARTED AGAIN. TOWED VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY TOOK A LOOK AT IT. THEY SAID IT LOOKED LIKE A PART OF THE CAMSHAFT BROKE OFF, GOT CAUGHT IN THE TIMING CHAIN, BROKE BOTH CHAINS, AND CAUSED COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE WHICH WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 95,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10597528 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11045698 · 2017-11-13 (November 13, 2017)

TAKATA RECALL / NHTSA RECALL # 16V-081 - MERCEDES SENT A LETTER ABOUT THIS RECALL BACK IN MAY OF 2016 AND THEY STILL DO NOT HAVE A SOLUTION OR TIMEFRAME FOR WHEN THEY ARE GOING TO REPLACE OUR AIRBAG. NOW THAT TAKATA HAS FILLED FOR CHAPTER 11 BANKRUPTCY I AM CONCERNED THAT THEY EVER WILL AND GIVEN THE NATURE OF THIS RECALL ALONG WITH THE AGE OF OUR VEHICLE THIS IS VERY TROUBLING. MERCEDES NEEDS TO MAKE REPLACING THESE AIRBAGS A PRIORITY

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11045698 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.

16V081000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2016-02-11 (February 11, 2016)

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, and E63 AMG, 2011-2012 GL350 BlueTec 4Matic and R350 BlueTec 4Matic, 2009-2012 GL450 4Matic, GL550 4Matic and R350 4Matic, 2007-2008 SLK280, SLK350, and SLK55 AMG, 2011-2014 SLS AMG Coupe, 2012 SLS AMG Cabriolet, 2013-2014 SLS AMG GT and SLS AMG GT Cabriolet, 2005 C230 Kompressor and C320, 2006-2007 C230, 2006-2011 C350, 2008-2011 C300 and C300 4Matic, 2010-2012 GLK350 and GLK350 4Matic and 2007-2008 Chrysler Crossfire vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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. This recall began November 2016. Mercedes-Benz owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372 and Chrysler owners may contact Fiat Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
22V315000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum

Reported: 2022-05-09 (May 9, 2022)

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.

Consequence: Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.

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. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2022050014, 2022050015 2022090006, & 2022090007.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
24V298000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum

Reported: 2024-04-26 (April 26, 2024)

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.

Consequence: Reduced brake performance or brake failure can increase the risk of a crash.

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. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2024. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MMUSA's number for this recall is 2024050001/2. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 22V-315.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

2 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

50.0%Usable mileage1 / 2 records
100.0%Valid incident date2 / 2 records
100.0%Valid filing date2 / 2 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates2 / 2 records

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 complaint heatmap
Component2006200720082009
Engine
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

321.4%
ODI 10469682 · 75,200 mi

ENGINE 'DIED' (VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER) WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. I HAD TO PULL VEHICLE OVER ON SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH NO POWER ASSISTANCE STEERING OR BRAKING. BROUGH IT TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE 8/8/12, STALLED TWO MORE TIMES WHILE ENROUTE. I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS A FAILED CAMSHAFT SENSOR. I LOOKED UP ALL SAFETY RECALLS ON VEHICLE, AND FOUND ONE FOR THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR IN 2008. I WAS TOLD THAT MY FAILED CAMSHAFT SENSOR IS DIFFERENT AND IS NOT COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER, EVEN THOUGH IT PRODUCES THE SAME SYMPTOM/RESULT AS A FAILED CR…

Look up ODI 10469682 at NHTSA ↗

150.0%
ODI 10714698 · 44,856 mi

I THANKFULLY TOOK MY CAR TO HAVE REGULAR MAINTENANCE (SERVICE B) COMPLETED AND UNFORTUNATELY DURING THAT INSPECTION, THEY FOUND THAT THE RUBBER CYLINDER ON THE HARMONIC BALANCER WAS HANGING OUT. THEY AND I LOOKED TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL (SURLY, THIS WOULD WARRANT A RECALL). THE CAR IS WELL MAINTAINED AND ONLY 44,856 MILES ON IT. FAULTY PART? CAN'T FIND ANY ANSWERS... I HAD TO PAY $900 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AS DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN THAT CONDITION WITH MY BABY INSIDE IS BEYOND IRRESPONSIBLE. HAD IT FAILED BY BLOWING APART WHILE ON THE…

Look up ODI 10714698 at NHTSA ↗

150.0%
ODI 10597528 · 95,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD WHEN I HIT A POTHOLE. VEHICLE THEN STARTED SHUTTING DOWN. IT EVENTUALLY STOPPED AND I COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE STARTED AGAIN. TOWED VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY TOOK A LOOK AT IT. THEY SAID IT LOOKED LIKE A PART OF THE CAMSHAFT BROKE OFF, GOT CAUGHT IN THE TIMING CHAIN, BROKE BOTH CHAINS, AND CAUSED COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE WHICH WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. *TR

Look up ODI 10597528 at NHTSA ↗

Electrical System
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

321.4%
ODI 10469682 · 75,200 mi

ENGINE 'DIED' (VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER) WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. I HAD TO PULL VEHICLE OVER ON SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH NO POWER ASSISTANCE STEERING OR BRAKING. BROUGH IT TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE 8/8/12, STALLED TWO MORE TIMES WHILE ENROUTE. I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS A FAILED CAMSHAFT SENSOR. I LOOKED UP ALL SAFETY RECALLS ON VEHICLE, AND FOUND ONE FOR THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR IN 2008. I WAS TOLD THAT MY FAILED CAMSHAFT SENSOR IS DIFFERENT AND IS NOT COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER, EVEN THOUGH IT PRODUCES THE SAME SYMPTOM/RESULT AS A FAILED CR…

Look up ODI 10469682 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

17.1%
ODI 11700284

The contact owns a 2007 Mercedes-Benz R320. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle needed a diagnostic test prior to the recall repair. The contact declined to pay for the diagnostic test and advised the dealer to complete the recall repair. The dealer declined to honor the recall repair. The contact later discovered that the dealer had marked the recall repair as completed even though…

Look up ODI 11700284 at NHTSA ↗

150.0%
ODI 11490951

The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz R320. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V315000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Look up ODI 11490951 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Structure:Body
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

214.3%
ODI 11043585 · 203,350 mi

SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE PARKED IN GARAGE.

Look up ODI 11043585 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Suspension
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

214.3%
ODI 10630863 · 51,818 mi

PREFACE: I OWN AN AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOP IN CARROLLTON TEXAS. I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON CARS SINCE 1968. I AM A THREE-TIME CERTIFIED MERCEDES-BENZ MASTER TECHNICIAN. IN DECEMBER, 2012 I REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT AIR SPRING ON A 2007 MERCEDES R-320. THE MANUFACTURER IS AREN'T INDUSTRIES. THEIR PART NUMBER IS A-2587. LESS THAN TWO MONTHS LATER, THE AIR SPRING SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THE SPRING MATERIAL, WHICH IS SIMILAR IN CONSTRUCTION TO A TIRE, RUPTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE OWNER'S GARAGE WHEN THE "BLOW-OUT" OCCURRED. T…

Look up ODI 10630863 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Air Bags
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

150.0%
ODI 11045698

TAKATA RECALL / NHTSA RECALL # 16V-081 - MERCEDES SENT A LETTER ABOUT THIS RECALL BACK IN MAY OF 2016 AND THEY STILL DO NOT HAVE A SOLUTION OR TIMEFRAME FOR WHEN THEY ARE GOING TO REPLACE OUR AIRBAG. NOW THAT TAKATA HAS FILLED FOR CHAPTER 11 BANKRUPTCY I AM CONCERNED THAT THEY EVER WILL AND GIVEN THE NATURE OF THIS RECALL ALONG WITH THE AGE OF OUR VEHICLE THIS IS VERY TROUBLING. MERCEDES NEEDS TO MAKE REPLACING THESE AIRBAGS A PRIORITY

Look up ODI 11045698 at NHTSA ↗

Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

17.1%
ODI 10638821 · 103,000 mi

ESP INOPERATIVE MESSAGE APPEARS. WIPERS WENT ON (ALTHOUGH THEY WERE OFF AT THE TIME) TURN SIGNALS WERE INOPERATIVE AND INTERIOR LIGHTS NOT WORKING.. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS UNABLE TO ENGAGE PARK OR REVERSE. I SHUT THE IGNITION OFF AND NEUTRAL WAS AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGED BUT PARK STILL NOT WORKING. REMOVING THE KEY ENGAGED PARK. RESTARTING THE CAR THE ESP INOPERATIVE MESSAGE WAS STILL DISPLAYED AND DRIVE COULD NOT BE ENGAGED. AFTER LEAVING THE KEY REMOVED FOR 2-3 MINUTES ALL WAS CLEAR. NO RECURRENCE OF THE PROBLEM FOR 6 MONTHS THE…

Look up ODI 10638821 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Exterior Lighting
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

17.1%
ODI 11506547 · 75,000 mi

The contact owns a 2007 Mercedes-Benz R320. The contact stated the vehicle failed to start in very cold weather. The contact stated that after changing the battery several times, the failure continued to occur. Additionally, while operating the vehicle, the front and rear exterior lights failed to illuminate as needed. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failu…

Look up ODI 11506547 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

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 failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
EngineToo few reports for a range95,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10597528 · 95,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD WHEN I HIT A POTHOLE. VEHICLE THEN STARTED SHUTTING DOWN. IT EVENTUALLY STOPPED AND I COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE STARTED AGAIN. TOWED VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY TOOK A LOOK AT IT. THEY SAID IT LOOKED LIKE A PART OF THE CAMSHAFT BROKE OFF, GOT CAUGHT IN THE TIMING CHAIN, BROKE BOTH CHAINS, AND CAUSED COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE WHICH WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. *TR

Look up ODI 10597528 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-112026-10

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
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-10 (partial)0None

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.

Age 0Age 1Age 21 reports

2008: 0 complaints · 2009: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
2008000
2009000
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
2008200
2009200

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 co-occurrence matrix
ComponentAir BagsEngine
Air Bags—0
Engine0—

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.