VehicleVerdict

2001 Mercedes-Benz M-Class problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 9 complaints on file for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz M-Class — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

9

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

4

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other M-Class years?

M-Class NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted32 complaints1998: 6 complaints1999: 28 complaints2000: 32 complaints2001: 9 complaints2002: 5 complaints2003: 12 complaints2004: 0 complaints2006: 18 complaints2007: 3 complaints2008: 1 complaints2009: 1 complaints
M-Class NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all M-Class years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Mercedes-Benz M-Class problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System333%
Engine111%
Airbags111%
Other111%
Steering111%
Body & Structure111%
Latches & Locks111%

Does the 2001 Mercedes-Benz M-Class have recalls?

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

11V208000Speed ControlMarch 31, 2011 · 136,751 units

Defect

MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1999-2002 M-CLASS AND MODEL YEAR 2000-2003 M-CLASS AMG VEHICLES. THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ALLOWS THE DRIVER TO DISENGAGE THE SYSTEM IN A NUMBER OF WAYS, INCLUDING TAPPING THE BRAKE PEDAL, USING THE CRUISE CONTROL STALK, OR BRAKING THE VEHICLE ENOUGH TO REACH A CERTAIN RATE OF DECELERATION. MERCEDES-BENZ HAS DETERMINED THAT UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES USE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL MAY NOT AUTOMATICALLY DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL AS EXPECTED BY THE DRIVER, ALTHOUGH THE OTHER MEANS OF DEACTIVATING CRUISE CONTROL REMAIN FULLY OPERATIVE. SPECIFICALLY, WHERE THE DRIVER PUMPS THE BRAKES RATHER THAN APPLYING CONSISTENT PEDAL FORCE, THE LEVEL OF FORCE REQUIRED MAY BE UNUSUALLY HIGH.

Consequence

DIFFICULTY OR DELAY IN DISENGAGING CRUISE CONTROL CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN DURING OCTOBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

08V465000SteeringSeptember 17, 2008 · 125,228 units

Defect

MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING 125,228 MY 1998-2004 M-CLASS VEHICLES. THE HOSE CLAMP USED TO SECURE THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLER MAY NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CLAMPING FORCE FOR THIS CONNECTION.

Consequence

THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID MAY RESULT IN DIMINISHED POWER STEERING OVER TIME AND ULTIMATELY CAN DAMAGE THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

AN EARLIER RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED ON THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT TO PREVENT A FUTURE LEAKAGE OR FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING HOSE CONNECTION (PLEASE SEE 03V121). SINCE IT IS NOT POSSIBLE THROUGH INSPECTION TO IDENTIFY SPECIFIC VEHICLES THAT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY REPAIRED, ALL VEHICLES REPAIRED PRIOR TO NOVEMBER 15, 2003, WILL BE REPAIRED AGAIN. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

03V121000SteeringMarch 27, 2003 · 211,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE HOSE CLAMP USED TO SECURE THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLER MAY NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CLAMPING FORCE FOR THIS CONNECTION.

Consequence

THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID MAY RESULT IN DIMINISHED POWER STEERING OVER TIME AND ULTIMATELY CAN DAMAGE THE POWER STEERING PUMP.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HOSE CLAMP ON THE POWER STEERING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING COOLER. DURING CLAMP REPLACEMENT, THE POWER STEERING COOLING HOSE WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED AS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 16, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

01V061000Electrical SystemFebruary 27, 2001 · 377 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CERTAIN ALL ACTIVITY MODULE II (AAM II) COULD HAVE A SUB-COMPONENT THAT COULD CAUSE THE MODULE TO INTERMITTENTLY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE AAM II CONTROLS A NUMBER OF SYSTEMS INCLUDING THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, DOOR LOCKS, AND WIPER SYSTEMS.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE AN INTERMITTENT NON-FUNCTIONING OF THESE SYSTEMS.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AAM II. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 16, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“JUST AS REPORTED IN CONSUMER REPORTS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS FAILED ON THIS VEHICLE CAUSING ALL SAFETY SYSTEMS (IE., BRAKE ASSIST, SAFETY BELTS, AIR BAGS) TO FAIL. THE PROBLEM CAUSED TWO ACCIDENTS LAST YEAR WHEN THE 4,400 LB. VEHICLE COULD NOT STOP. OTHER ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS ARE ALSO FAILING. FURTHER,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 28, 2005 · crash

“I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN MAY OF THIS YEAR AND EVERY MONTH I HAVE BEEN AT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TURNING IT IN FOR ONE PROBLEM OR ANOTHER. I AM ASSURED THEY ARE DOING ALL THAT THEY CAN BUT I HAVE NOT GONE 30 DAYS IN A ROW WITH A FUNCTIONING, NO PROBLEM, VEHICLE. I PURCHASED A MB BECAUSE I THOUGHT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · September 15, 2003

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS REPAIRED IN 2003 ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V465000 (STEERING: HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST: HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS); HOWEVER, THE STEERING WAS NEVER CORRECTED PROPERLY. THE STEERING MAKES A LOUD NOISE WHEN THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · January 1, 2003

“JUST AS REPORTED IN CONSUMER REPORTS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS FAILED ON THIS VEHICLE CAUSING ALL SAFETY SYSTEMS (IE., BRAKE ASSIST, SAFETY BELTS, AIR BAGS) TO FAIL. THE PROBLEM CAUSED TWO ACCIDENTS LAST YEAR WHEN THE 4,400 LB. VEHICLE COULD NOT STOP. OTHER ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS ARE ALSO FAILING. FURTHER,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · February 28, 2005 · crash

“I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN MAY OF THIS YEAR AND EVERY MONTH I HAVE BEEN AT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TURNING IT IN FOR ONE PROBLEM OR ANOTHER. I AM ASSURED THEY ARE DOING ALL THAT THEY CAN BUT I HAVE NOT GONE 30 DAYS IN A ROW WITH A FUNCTIONING, NO PROBLEM, VEHICLE. I PURCHASED A MB BECAUSE I THOUGHT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 15, 2003

2001 Mercedes-Benz M-Class — common questions

Is the 2001 Mercedes-Benz M-Class reliable?

The record is thin — 9 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2001 Mercedes-Benz M-Class have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Mercedes-Benz M-Class. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2001 Mercedes-Benz M-Class under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Mercedes-Benz M-Class years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the M-Class years to avoid are 2000. The cleanest record among M-Class years belongs to 2004.

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.