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Mercedes-Benz CL500Model year report

2001 Mercedes-Benz CL500 Problems

Complaints
5filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
100,000miles, 4 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns 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
17 mpgcombined, 5.0L 8-cyl RWD · 14 city / 21 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz CL500 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz CL500. The part named most often is suspension, with 3 complaints (60% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and engine (1). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 25% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 100,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 23 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins 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

Suspension: “The contact owns a 2001 mercedes benz CL500. The contact stated that the active body control sensor illuminated intermittently and then remained lit. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 137,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10617744, filed 2014-07, 137,000 miles

Electrical system: “Driving at highway speed, the instrument panel went black and has not come back on. This includes the speedometer, the fuel gauge and all the other engine gauges. The cruise control does not work. Searching online, this appears to be a prevalent problem and that was confirmed by my mechanic. I don't understand why this is not a safety recall for this vehicle and the many others affected. The vehicle has about 100,000 miles on it (I can't see exactly how may with the dash black).”

NHTSA complaint #11172189, filed 2019-01, 100,000 miles

Engine: “The contact owns a 2001 Mercedes-Benz CL500. While driving 30 MPH, the airmatic warning indicator illuminated. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed fluid leaking from under the hood on the driver's side. The vehicle was serviced by an unknown dealer per NHTSA campaign number: 07v263000 (suspension, engine and engine cooling), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local body shop where the contact was informed that the fluid was due to the compressor that fractured and the compressor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …”

NHTSA complaint #11131003, filed 2018-09, 45,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

25% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 100,000 and 100,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–2525%25–500%50–750%75–10075%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (4 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 100,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

2014120151201812019120211
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 CL500 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
CL500 RWD5.0L 8-cyl5-speed automatic142117$4,850

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

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz CL500 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by 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. 23 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 23 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz CL500

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2006724,4260—17—Not enough data
20049122,0000—17—Not enough data
200212109,0000—17—Not enough data
20015100,0000—17—Not enough data
2000674,0001—17—Not enough data

All Mercedes-Benz CL500 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2001 Mercedes-Benz CL500 have?

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz CL500 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2001 Mercedes-Benz CL500 is reported most often?

Suspension is named most often, in 3 complaints (60% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.

Has the 2001 Mercedes-Benz CL500 been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2001 Mercedes-Benz CL500 get?

The EPA rates the 2001 Mercedes-Benz CL500 (CL500, 5.0L 8-cyl) at 17 mpg combined, 14 city and 21 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,850 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2001 Mercedes-Benz CL500 reported?

Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 100,000 miles and the middle half falls between 100,000 and 100,000 miles; 25% 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.