2001 Mercedes-Benz M Class Problems
- Complaints
- 5filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 45,000miles, 4 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 4campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz M Class (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz M Class. The part named most often is electrical system, with 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by air bags (1) and engine cooling (1). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 45,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 3 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 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.
- Electrical system2 40%
- Air bags1 20%
- Engine cooling1 20%
- Equipment1 20%
- Other or unknown1 20%
- Steering1 20%
- Body and structure1 20%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “Just as reported in consumer reports, electrical systems failed on this vehicle causing all safety systems (ie., brake assist, safety belts, air bags) to fail. The problem caused two accidents last year when the 4,400 lb. Vehicle could not stop. Other electrical systems are also failing. Further, the rear gate latch was not locking and the dealer never verbally told us when we picked up the vehicle from being serviced, nor did they ever ask if we wanted it fixed. We just found out about this. One would expect more from a mercedes product. …”
NHTSA complaint #10131784, filed 2005-08, 86,000 milesAir bags: “I was hit on the passenger door side on 8/6/05 by a car running a red light. My car was hit so hard it rolled over resting on it's roof. No air bags deployed, not even side ones. I called mb-USA to complain. They didn't seem concerned about the event.”
NHTSA complaint #10142648, filed 2005-11Engine cooling: “I purchased this vehicle in may of this year and every month I have been at the service department turning it in for one problem or another. I am assured they are doing all that they can but I have not gone 30 days in a row with a functioning, no problem, vehicle. I purchased a mb because I thought the value and dependability was there. I thought the vehicle would be hassle free and I could enjoy few mechanical issues. I am not spending time away from work which is causing me problems, just to keep this SUV maintained. …”
NHTSA complaint #10070943, filed 2004-01, 30,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
50% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 30,000 and 60,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 11V208000Mar 31, 2011Vehicle speed control › Cruise controlCovers: Mercedes-Benz M Class 1999–2003
Mercedes-benz is recalling certain model year 1999-2002 m-class and model year 2000-2003 m-class amg vehicles. The cruise control system in the affected vehicles allows the driver to disengage the system in a number of ways, including tapping the brake…
- 08V465000Sep 17, 2008Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connectionsCovers: Mercedes-Benz M Class 1998–2004
Mercedes-benz is recalling 125,228 my 1998-2004 m-class vehicles. The hose clamp used to secure the power steering fluid cooling hose to the power steering fluid cooler may not provide sufficient clamping force for this connection.
- 03V121000Mar 27, 2003Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connectionsCovers: Mercedes-Benz M Class 1998–2003
On certain passenger vehicles, the hose clamp used to secure the power steering fluid cooling hose to the power steering fluid cooler may not provide sufficient clamping force for this connection.
- 01V061000Feb 27, 2001Electrical system › WiringCovers: Mercedes-Benz M Class 2001
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Certain all activity module ii (aam ii) could have a sub-component that could cause the module to intermittently not function properly. The aam ii controls a number of systems including the high beam lights…
Recall details for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz M Class → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE10050Brake lamp switch failure.Closed · Dec 21, 2010
- EA08009Brake line chafeClosed · Apr 28, 2008
- RQ08002Power steering hose leakClosed · Mar 11, 2008
- PE07007Electronic stability control malfunctionClosed · Feb 1, 2007
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. 3 on record; the latest 3 are shown.
- 10051989Feb 15, 2013Steering. Mercedes: see document search button for owner letter. The lower power steering hose and clamp should be replace, under extended warranty, due to power steering leakage from connection to power…
- 10016685May 16, 2005Electrical system. Esp lamp illuminated.
- 10012829Feb 7, 2005Engine cooling. Engine will not start and fault message start error appears in instrument cluster.
Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz M Class
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 14 | 4,481 | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 10 | 24,334 | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 5 | 50,450 | 5 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 5 | 45,000 | 4 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2000 | 25 | 75,000 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 18 | 100,050 | 4 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1998 | 5 | 67,700 | 4 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Mercedes-Benz M Class model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2001 Mercedes-Benz M Class have?
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz M Class as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2001 Mercedes-Benz M Class is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 2 complaints (40% of the total), followed by air bags with 1.
Has the 2001 Mercedes-Benz M Class been recalled?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2001 Mercedes-Benz M Class reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 45,000 miles and the middle half falls between 30,000 and 60,000 miles; 50% 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.
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.