Skip to content
Mercedes-Benz C240Model year report

2001 Mercedes-Benz C240 Problems

Complaints
8filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
97,200miles, 6 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
20 mpgcombined, 2.6L 6-cyl RWD · 18 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz C240 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz C240. The part named most often is electronic stability control, with 2 complaints (25% of the total), followed by engine (2) and visibility (2). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 97,200 miles. Of all complaints, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 30 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electronic stability control complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Electronic stability control: “Normal driving conditions, then vehicle automatically slams on brakes (sometimes all 4 wheels, sometimes only 1 wheel--which causes vehicle to yaw). At first, this problem would only occur after driving for about 40 minutes. Now it can happen up to 3 minutes after starting vehicle. On 1 occasion system caused the wheels to skid for about one second, which made me lose traction. Problem happens only when vehicle is in motion. Independent of whether on highway or in a turn.”

NHTSA complaint #10854486, filed 2016-04, 107,000 miles

Engine: “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. Multiple leaks discovered and the cluster lighting also fades out once the car has been running for a while making the readings unreadable. Benzel and busch generated a diagnostic that discovered many problems with the car. …”

NHTSA complaint #11005283, filed 2017-07, 1 miles

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “The contact owns a 2001 Mercedes-Benz C240. The contact stated that he was made aware of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 191V18000 (Visibility) after the vehicle was taken through inspection. Additionally, the contact stated that the sliding roof failed to close as designed. As a result, the contact had to remotely open and close the sliding sunroof repeatedly until properly closed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the vehicle was denied the recall repair however, the contact stated that the vehicle had not been inspected. The vehicle was not repaired. …”

NHTSA complaint #11522525, filed 2023-05, 140,000 miles

Air bags: “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 front tire as well. There was no collision, yet the airbag deployed with an extremely loud bang that seriously damaged my hearing, perhaps permanently. An online search indicates that mercedes has had problems with airbags deploying unnecessarily, but I have never received notice of a recall.”

NHTSA complaint #11061484, filed 2018-01, 28,520 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

33% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 28,520 and 140,000 miles.

17%0–100%10–2517%25–500%50–7517%75–10033%100–15017%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (6 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 97,200 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

2014120161201712018120191202012021120231
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2001 Mercedes-Benz C240 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
C240 RWD2.6L 6-cyl5-speed automatic182420$4,100
C240 RWD2.6L 6-cyl6-speed manual162519$4,350

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz C240 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 30 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 30 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz C240

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20053066,7803—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20041680,0003—19—Falling
200320114,5003—19—Falling
200213117,0003—20—Not enough data
2001897,2003—20—Not enough data

All Mercedes-Benz C240 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2001 Mercedes-Benz C240 have?

NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz C240 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2001 Mercedes-Benz C240 is reported most often?

Electronic stability control is named most often, in 2 complaints (25% of the total), followed by engine with 2.

Has the 2001 Mercedes-Benz C240 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2001 Mercedes-Benz C240 get?

The EPA rates the 2001 Mercedes-Benz C240 (C240, 2.6L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 18 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,100 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2001 Mercedes-Benz C240 reported?

Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 97,200 miles and the middle half falls between 28,520 and 140,000 miles; 33% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.