2001 Mercedes-Benz CL600 Problems
- Complaints
- 14filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 75,853miles, 14 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns 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
- 16 mpgcombined, 5.8L 12-cyl RWD · 14 city / 21 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz CL600 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz CL600. The part named most often is suspension, with 7 complaints (50% of the total), followed by electrical system (4) and engine cooling (2). 14 of the complaints include a mileage, and 21% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 75,853 miles. Of all complaints, 4 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 28 technical service bulletins for this model year. Suspension complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 6 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.
- Suspension7 50%
- Electrical system4 29%
- Engine cooling2 14%
- Exterior lighting2 14%
- Fuel system2 14%
- Body and structure2 14%
- Air bags1 7.1%
- Engine1 7.1%
Example complaints
Suspension: “Mercedes refused to take repair responsibility for abc hose leak on my 2001 cl. The car was completely lower ,body touched tires, while I was driving on freeway. The NHTSA has issued a recall affecting Mercedes-Benz cl class and s class autos from the 2000 through 2004 model years. The issue involves hydraulic fluid leakage that could touch off a fire. …”
NHTSA complaint #10260674, filed 2009-03, 80,000 milesElectrical system: “R headlight turn signal will not work (rest of headlight works) randomly flash check different lights and all work. Random issues with front windows. Abc light. Car has less than 54,000 miles on it. Mercedes told me all recalls have been considered fixed and I shouldn't have purchased the car if I didn't want to spend the money to fix it. Now it has thrown the v-belt. I have read the forums about the many issues and there doesn't seem to be any assistance offered to remedy these issues. …”
NHTSA complaint #10779507, filed 2015-10, 44,000 milesEngine cooling: “Small fire started underneath the vehicle when getting off the expressway after traveling about 12 miles. Started to see smoke while stopped at a light. Saw small flames when I stopped to look for source of smoke. Recent repairs made heater core replaced. Also water pump replaced. Also upper radiator hose replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10521098, filed 2013-06, 165,000 milesExterior lighting: “The contact owns a 2001 mercedes benz CL600. The contact stated that at engine startup, the srs warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that while traveling 25-30 MPH, the abc warning light and both turning signals illuminated. In addition, the driver side window failed to work properly.the contact also stated that black smoke emitted from the exhaust followed by a loud explosion. The driver's side door failed to open with the electronic key-less remote and the passenger side door panel detached when the door was closed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10466780, filed 2012-07, 65,700 milesMileage when problems were reported
21% of the 14 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 52,000 and 117,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2001 Mercedes-Benz CL600 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CL600 RWD | 5.8L 12-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 14 | 21 | 16 | $5,150 |
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
- 04V228000May 13, 2004SuspensionCovers: Mercedes-Benz CL600 2001–2004, S600 2001–2004
On certain passenger 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 heat and humidity. Over time, corrosion may deteriorate the inner steel portions of…
Recall details for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz CL600 → · 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. 28 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11019018May 21, 2025Transmission and drivetrain. Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse (and vice versa)…
- 11017500Apr 28, 2025Exterior lighting. Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky headlamp, physical fogging…
- 11017496Apr 28, 2025Exterior lighting. Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to any technical…
- 11015640Mar 5, 2025Electrical system. Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party during a call. It becomes…
- 11013332Jan 15, 2025Transmission and drivetrain. Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. Note…
- 11009122Oct 23, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors), Body and structure. Complaint Washer fluid system leaks Cause Various possible causes: 1. Washer fluid reservoir itself. 2. Seal on washer fluid pump/washer fluid reservoir. 3. Washer fluid pump. 3.1. Distributor…
- 11008091Sep 28, 2024Electrical system. Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party during a call. It becomes…
- 11007974Sep 21, 2024Exterior lighting. Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky headlamp, physical fogging…
- 11007753Sep 10, 2024Exterior lighting. Complaint Headlamp or front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to any technical…
- 11005294Jul 23, 2024Exterior lighting. Complaint Rear lamps fogged up/not leaktight. Cause Fogging of the rear lamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. This does not lead to any technical…
Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz CL600
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 13 | 76,000 | 1 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 14 | 75,853 | 1 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
All Mercedes-Benz CL600 model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2001 Mercedes-Benz CL600 have?
NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz CL600 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2001 Mercedes-Benz CL600 is reported most often?
Suspension is named most often, in 7 complaints (50% of the total), followed by electrical system with 4.
Has the 2001 Mercedes-Benz CL600 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2001 Mercedes-Benz CL600 get?
The EPA rates the 2001 Mercedes-Benz CL600 (CL600, 5.8L 12-cyl) at 16 mpg combined, 14 city and 21 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2001 Mercedes-Benz CL600 reported?
Among the 14 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 75,853 miles and the middle half falls between 52,000 and 117,000 miles; 21% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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.