VehicleVerdict

2001 Mercedes-Benz C240 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 11 complaints on file for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz C240 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

11

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other C240 years?

C240 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted39 complaints2001: 11 complaints2002: 16 complaints2003: 29 complaints2004: 31 complaints2005: 39 complaints2007: 1 complaints
C240 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all C240 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Mercedes-Benz C240 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System327%
Engine218%
Visibility & Wipers218%
Suspension19%
Lighting19%
Airbags19%
Body & Structure19%

Does the 2001 Mercedes-Benz C240 have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

24V874000Visibility & WipersNovember 19, 2024 · 33,456 units

Defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and can detach.

Consequence

A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 22V-954. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120001/2/3.

22V954000Visibility & WipersDecember 23, 2022 · 131,653 units

Defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and may detach.

Consequence

A detached sunroof panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall expands NHTSA recall number 19V-918. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010004, 2023010005, and 2023010006.

19V918000Visibility & WipersDecember 20, 2019 · 747,928 units

Defect

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly resulting in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V918-4126.pdf

Consequence

A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020040011.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ C 240. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS REQUIRED IN ORDER TO ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 1, 2014

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ C240. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V918000 (VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, 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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · February 26, 2020

“ESP LIGHT, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FADING, ACCELERATION SENSOR AND MULTIPLE LEAKS IN THE ENGINE, POWER STEERING, AXEL SEAL, SPARK PLUGS VALVE LEAKS, OIL LEAKS, TRANS BELL. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT IN FOR AN ESP LIGHT THAT TURNS ON ONCE THE CAR IS IN MOTION, A BURNING SMELL THAT COMES THROUGH THE CAR.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 30, 2017

“IN DECEMBER 2017, I WAS DRIVING ALONG A CITY STREET WHEN THE DRIVER'S FRONT AIRBAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. MY CAR WAS WELL-MAINTAINED, WITH MILEAGE OF 28,520. IT APPEARS THE SUSPENSION (LOWER BALL JOINT) ON THE RIGHT SIDE FAILED, CAUSING THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE TO BLOW OUT AND CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE LEFT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · December 19, 2017

“THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF ON MY 2001 MERCEDES BENZ C240 SHATTERED OR EXPLODED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT A HIGHWAY SPEED OF 55 MPH. IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT AND THE GLASS WAS SHATTERED OVER THE PASSENGER AND REAR SEATS. NO ONE WAS SITTING IN THOSE SEATS FORTUNATELY. MERCEDES DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · March 8, 2021

2001 Mercedes-Benz C240 — common questions

Is the 2001 Mercedes-Benz C240 reliable?

The record is thin — 11 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2001 C240 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (3 complaints), engine (2 complaints), visibility & wipers (2 complaints).

Does the 2001 Mercedes-Benz C240 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Mercedes-Benz C240. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mercedes-Benz C240 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the C240 years to avoid are 2005. The cleanest record among C240 years belongs to 2007.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.