Model year record

2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class recalls & problems

The 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class has 5 safety recalls and 36 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (23 complaints).

Recalls5safety recalls

Complaints36filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Engine and engine coolingJun 12, 2007

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 07V26300019,924 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Components: Engine and engine cooling; Suspension

Interior lightingFeb 2, 2006

Interior lighting

Recall 06V02800036,911 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Electrical systemMay 13, 2004

Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers

Recall 04V22700054,454 vehicles

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

Electrical systemDec 16, 2002

12v/24v/48v battery

Recall 02V33800065,000 vehicles

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

VisibilityJan 17, 2001

Windshield wiper/washer

Recall 01V0140003,400 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SHEATHING MATERIAL ON THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION OF THE HEATED WINDSHIELD WASHER BOTTLE HOSE COULD OVERHEAT.
Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE THE SURROUNDING PLASTIC AND INSULATION TO MELT.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Electrical systemInstrument cluster/panel; Wiring › Interior/under dash	23	0	0	80,475 mi
Interior lighting	7	0	0	60,100 mi
SuspensionFront; Front › Control arm › Lower arm	5	0	0	102,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	1	0	0	—
Unknown or other	1	0	0	—
Tires	1	0	0	—
Structure	1	0	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine	1	1	1	—
Electronic stability controlAutomatic (asc)	1	0	0	—
Seats	1	0	0	—
Air bags	1	0	0	—
Child seat	1	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S CLASS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING) BUT THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 134,000. UPDATED 07/13/12 *BF UPDATED 07/31/12
Jun 1, 2012 · 134,000 miles
Suspension
WENT TO MY CAR IN THE A.M. TO GO TO WORK. TURNED CAR ON, A RED LIGHT CAME ON THAT SAID VEHICLE TOO LOW. SENSOR CAME ON AND SAID AIRMATIC SYSTEM WAS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. IN APRIL 2010 I PAID ABOUT $2500 TO FIX THIS ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS PART ARE ONLY UNDER WARRANTY FOR ONE YEAR AND THIS HAPPENS. AS MY CAR IS VERY WELL MAINTAINED, AND THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE, AND MOST LIKELY ANOTHER $2500, I HAVE GIVEN UP. I WOULD MERCEDES WOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. *TR
May 30, 2012 · 164,000 miles
Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S-CLASS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE ILLUMINATION CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 108,976.
Mar 2, 2012 · 108,976 miles
Electrical system
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 VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
May 1, 2011 · 160,000 miles
Interior lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE LIGHTING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT COULD NOT READ ANY OF THE GAUGES OR METERS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING). THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Aug 1, 2011 · 100,000 miles
Electrical system
MERCEDES BENZ NEVER INFORMED ME THAT MY CAR AN S500 WAS INVOLVED IN A RECALL TO CHANGE THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL LIGHTING, NOW THAT IT FAILED THE MIAMI MERCEDES DEALERSHIP DO NOT WANT TO FIX MY CAR ALLEGING THAT THERE WAS NOT ANY RECALL, THAT IT WAS ONLY A WARRANTY EXTENSION BEGINNING IN 2001 FOR 10 YEARS LEAVING ME OUT OF COVERAGE SINCE MY CAR IS 2001. I THINK THIS IS UNFAIR TO THE UNSUSPECTING PUBLIC LACK OF COMMUNICATION AND DESIRE TO DO LITTLE FOR THE USERS OF THEIR CARS MY CAR IS WITHIN THE 10 YEARS AND REFUSE TO FIX IT THAT IS MY COMPLAINT. *TR
Aug 8, 2011 · 101,000 miles
Electrical system
I HAVE A 2001 MERCEDESS430 WHICH HAS A FAILED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THERE APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN A RECALL ISSUED IN 2006 BUT IT WAS LIMITED TO A CERTAIN NUMBER OF VIN# AND DOES NOT COVER THE WIDESPREAD ISSUES I HAVE UNCOVERED VIA MY RESEARCH. THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT THAT COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT AS THE LIGHTS GO OUT, NO GAUGES WORK, AND YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING, WHAT GEAR YOU ARE IN E.G. YOU COULD ACCIDENTALLY REVERSE, ETC. I CALLED MERCEDES BENZ ALONG WITH SEVERAL DEALERS AND THEY INDICATE THAT THEY WILL NOT COVER THIS AND THE COST IS EXORBITANT. THIS IS A FATAL ERROR AND CAN NOT BE CORRECTED TO WORK OR FUNCTION AT ALL WITHOUT FULL REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT…
Jul 1, 2011 · 121,987 miles
Electrical system
I WAS DRIVING AND MY WHOLE DASH BOARD WENT OUT..COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING, CALLED MERCEDES AND WAS TOLD THIS WASN'T ON RECALL AND WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY..I THINK THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SOMEONE GOING TO GET HURT WHEN THIS HAPPEN. *TT
Jun 18, 2011 · 102,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILUREClosedLed to recall 06V028000
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON SEVEN REPORTS INDICATING THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2001 MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS VEHICLES FAILED IN THAT CONSUMERS WERE UNABLE TO READ ANY OF THE GAUGES WHILE OPERATING THEIR VEHICLES AT ANY SPEED DURING THE DAY OR NIGHT.IN ITS 573 REPORT TO NHTSA DATED FEBRUARY 1, 2006, MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC (MERCEDES-BENZ)STATES THAT THERE ARE THREE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE MODES THAT WOULD RESULT IN UNDESIRABLE OPERATION.THESE THREE FAILURE MODES ARE SPECIFIC TO CERTAIN DATES OF PRODUCTION (SEE BELOW) FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLE, AND MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING THOSE VEHICLES WITHIN THOSE DATES.SPECIFIC INFORMATION REGARDING THE FAILURE MODES IS DESCRIBED IN MERCEDES-BENZ'S REPORT (SEE NHTSA RECALL 06V028).THREE OF THE ODI COMPLAINTS SUBMITTED TO MERCEDES-BENZ INVOLVE VEHICLES THAT WERE PRODUCED BEFORE…
PE05062 · opened Nov 10, 2005 · closed Feb 8, 2006