Mercedes-Benz S Class Recall R/2009/011: Steering Could Be Impaired, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 6 Mar 2009
- Launched
- 209
- vehicles in the UK
- R/2009/011
- DVSA reference
Mercedes-Benz recalled S Class vehicles. It has been established that the service life of the ABC (Active Body Control) suspension lower ball joint on the front suspension struts does not meet Mercedes-Benz strict quality requirements. The dealer will check the ball joint on the front suspension struts and replace the ball joints where necessary. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
It has been established that the service life of the ABC (Active Body Control) suspension lower ball joint on the front suspension struts does not meet Mercedes-Benz strict quality requirements. In cases of extreme loads the joint could fail which could possibly result in the vehicle losing directional control. Reports of this issue have only occur on very high mileages vehicle which have had been subject to use in rough conditions.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: STEERING COULD BE IMPAIRED Defect: It has been established that the service life of the ABC (Active Body Control) suspension lower ball joint on the front suspension struts does not meet Mercedes-Benz strict quality requirements. In cases of extreme loads the joint could fail which could possibly result in the vehicle losing directional control. Reports of this issue have only occur on very high mileages vehicle which have had been subject to use in rough conditions. Remedy: Recall all affected vehicles to check the ball joint on the front suspension struts and replace the ball joints where necessary.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
The recall notice describes the concern as: steering could be impaired.
The Fix
The dealer will check the ball joint on the front suspension struts and replace the ball joints where necessary.
Are You Affected?
S Class may be included. Mercedes-Benz estimates 209 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with Mercedes-Benz, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with Mercedes-Benz.
- Book with any franchised Mercedes-Benz dealer, quoting the DVSA reference R/2009/011. See how to get a Mercedes-Benz recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
Related Recalls
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| S ClassWindshield bonding | Low | R/2026/191 | |
| AMG GT, GLC, S Class, SLProcessor Starter/Generator | Urgent | R/2025/124 | |
| AMG GT, C Class, CLE, E Class and 5 moreSystem protection | Low | R/2024/130 | |
| A Class, C Class, CLA(117), GLA and 2 moreOn affected vehicles the panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof might not have been bonded correctly during a prior service repair | Low | R/2024/024 | |
| S ClassA 12V ground connection bolt in the boot might not meet specifications | Low | R/2023/259 |
This is one of 833 Mercedes-Benz recalls in DVSA’s data. The Mercedes-Benz recall launched before it was R/2008/160 on 3 Mar 2009, for airbag may not fully inflate. The one launched after it was RCOMP/2008/012 on 9 Mar 2009, for steering COLUMN weld not to specification. You can also see every Mercedes-Benz recall, all recalls launched in 2009 and steering recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2009/011, launched 6 March 2009. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.