VehicleVerdict

2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 46 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.8 times the median S-Class year — the 2001 model ranks #3 of 16 S-Class years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: electrical system issues account for 52% of all reports (24 of 46), far ahead of lighting at 7.

46

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other S-Class years?

S-Class NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted101 complaints1992: 0 complaints1993: 1 complaints1994: 14 complaints1995: 32 complaints1996: 6 complaints1997: 4 complaints1998: 2 complaints1999: 10 complaints2000: 101 complaints2001: 46 complaints2002: 56 complaints2003: 43 complaints2004: 17 complaints2005: 3 complaints2009: 3 complaints2012: 1 complaints
S-Class NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all S-Class years to avoid →

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

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System2452%
Lighting715%
Suspension511%
Fuel System12%
Other12%
Seats12%
Speed Control12%
Body & Structure12%
Tires & Wheels12%
Airbags12%
Transmission12%
Child Seat12%
Engine12%

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

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

07V263000EngineJune 12, 2007 · 19,924 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, CORROSION MAY OCCUR IN THE INNER STEEL PORTIONS OF THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL'S (ABC) HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE DUE TO EXTENSIVE EXPOSURE TO HUMIDITY CAUSING DETERIORATION OF THE HOSE.

Consequence

THIS MAY RESULT IN ABC HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKAGE NEAR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. LEAKING FLUID MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS AND LEAD TO A POSSIBLE FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW CORROSION RESISTANT ABC HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 2, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

06V028000LightingFebruary 2, 2006 · 36,911 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CONTAINS GAUGES AND INDICATORS THAT MUST BE ILLUMINATED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION.

Consequence

DUE TO INADEQUATE ILLUMINATION, THE DRIVER WILL BE UNABLE TO READ THE GAUGES AND INDICATORS, SUCH AS THE SPEEDOMETER, WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MODULES. THE RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES. PHASE I WAS MAILED OUT TO APPROXIMATELY 7,500 OWNERS ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2006. PHASE II AND PHASE III IS SCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

04V227000Electrical SystemMay 13, 2004 · 54,454 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DURING THE PRODUCTION PROCESS OF THE BLOWER MOTOR FUSE HOLDER, THE SIZE OF THE ELECTRIC CONDUCTOR OF THE HOLDER MAY BE BELOW APPROPRIATE TOLERANCES.

Consequence

CONSEQUENTLY, THE ELECTRIC CONDUCTOR OF THE BLOWER MOTOR FUSE HOLDER MAY DISSIPATE MORE HEAT THAN THE PLASTIC FUSE HOLDER WAS DESIGNED TO WITHSTAND, WHICH COULD RESULT IN OVERHEATING OF THE HOLDER AND DISABLING OF THE BLOWER MOTOR AND THE ABILITY TO DEFROST OR DEFOG THE WINDSHILED IN COLD OR HOT AND HUMID WEATHER CONDITIONS. DEPENDING ON THE OCCURRENCE AND WEATHER SITUATION, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW BLOWER MOTOR FUSE HOLDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING OCTOBER 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

02V338000Electrical SystemDecember 16, 2002 · 65,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, EXCESSIVE STATIC BUILD-UP IN THE TRUNK FLOOR MATS CAN CAUSE A STATIC DISCHARGE WHEN INDIVIDUALS MOVE OR REMOVE ITEMS FROM THE TRUNK COMPARTMENT.

Consequence

THIS CAN DAMAGE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COMPONENTS LOCATED IN THE TRUNK, INCLUDING THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A STATIC INSULATION PANEL BETWEEN THE CARPET AND THE VEHICLE BATTERY WHICH WILL PROVIDE AN ELECTRICAL GROUNDING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 14, 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.

01V014000Visibility & WipersJanuary 17, 2001 · 3,400 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SHEATHING MATERIAL ON THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION OF THE HEATED WINDSHIELD WASHER BOTTLE HOSE COULD OVERHEAT.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE THE SURROUNDING PLASTIC AND INSULATION TO MELT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEATED WASHER BOTTLE HOSE ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 29, 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.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 1, 2011

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE INTERIOR LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V028000, REGARDING THE INTERIOR LIGHTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 10/17/2006 - INTERMITTENTLY THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS DIMMED THEN SURGED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · September 22, 2006

“2001 MERCEDES S500 PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL DROPPED DUE TO AIRMATIC PROBLEM. IT CAUSED THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE TO DAMAGE THE INSIDE FENDER AND THE FRONT BUMPER. FORTUNATELY THE CAR WAS TRAVELED WITH SLOW SPEED AND WAS ABLE TO STOP WITHOUT CAUSING FURTHER DAMAGE. IF THIS WAS ON THE FREEWAY IT WILL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · September 2, 2009

“WHEN A PASSANGER SITS IN THE FRONT SEAT THEIR WEIGHT ENABLES THE AIR BAGS TO WORK. HOWEVER AFTER THEY HAVE SAT AND EXITED THE VEHICLE THE SRS LIGHT COMES ON AND DISABLES THE AIR BAGS. IF THE PASSANGER SITS IN THE SEAT AND BRINGS THEIR LEGS AS CLOSE TO THE FRONT SEAT AS POSSIBLE THE SRS LIGHT WILL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Child Seat · June 1, 2008

“FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS MY CAR HAS BEEN GETTING STUCK IN PARK. THE PROBLEM IS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT. THE LAST TIME THE SHIFTER GOT STUCK IN PARK, THE ONLY WAY I COULD GET IT OUT OF PARK WAS TO HIT THE TOP OF SHIFTER WITH A RUBBER MALLET (THIS IS THE METHOD USED BY MERCEDES BENZ ROADSIDE SERVICE).…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 4, 2009

2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class — common questions

Is the 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 46 complaints put the 2001 model at #3 of 16 S-Class years. It is one of the S-Class years to avoid.

What are the most common 2001 S-Class problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (24 complaints), lighting (7 complaints), suspension (5 complaints).

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

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-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 S-Class under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

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

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the S-Class years to avoid are 2000, 2002, 2001, 2003, 1995. The cleanest record among S-Class years belongs to 1992.

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.