2001 Mercedes-Benz S Class Problems
- Complaints
- 36filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 96,000miles, 31 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 5campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz S Class (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 36 consumer complaints for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz S Class. The part named most often is electrical system, with 21 complaints (58% of the total), followed by interior lighting (7) and suspension (5). 31 of the complaints include a mileage, and 16% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 96,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 5 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the fuses and circuit breakers filed under the same part. Interior lighting complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
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 system21 58%
- Interior lighting7 19%
- Suspension5 14%
- Other or unknown2 5.6%
- Air bags1 2.8%
- Engine cooling1 2.8%
- Fuel system1 2.8%
- Seats1 2.8%
- Body and structure1 2.8%
Also reported: Tires (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
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.”
NHTSA complaint #10407546, filed 2011-06, 102,000 milesInterior lighting: “I own a 2001 mercedes benz s500. I was driving home from work on friday and all of a sudden, the lights in the dashboard went out. It frightened me because I couldn't tell how fast I was going and it hampered me from being as alert as I needed to be by trying to find out what the problem was. These lights need to be functional whenever you are operating the vehicle. Because of the time, the dealerships had closed and I couldn't drive it to them when it happened. This could have resulted in my having an accident and hurting and/or possibly killing myself and/or someone else. …”
NHTSA complaint #10168546, filed 2006-09, 35 milesSuspension: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10459994, filed 2012-05, 164,000 milesOther or unknown: “When a passanger sits in the front seat their weight enables the air bags to work. However after they have sat and exited the vehicle the srs light comes on and disables the air bags. If the passanger sits in the seat and brings their legs as close to the front seat as possible the srs light will come on and disable the front air bags even though their is a person sitting in the front seat. This sensor is the child seat sensor on my 2001 mercedes benz 430s.”
NHTSA complaint #10229908, filed 2008-06, 46,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
16% of the 31 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 60,100 and 103,200 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
- 07V263000Jun 12, 2007SuspensionCovers: Mercedes-Benz S Class 2000–2004, CL Class 2000–2004
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.
- 06V028000Feb 2, 2006Interior lightingCovers: Mercedes-Benz S Class 2000–2002, 2004–2005, CL Class 2000–2002, 2004–2005
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.
- 04V227000May 13, 2004Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakersCovers: Mercedes-Benz S Class 2000–2001, CL Class 2000–2001
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.
- 02V338000Dec 16, 2002Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v batteryCovers: Mercedes-Benz S Class 2000–2001
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.
- 01V014000Jan 17, 2001Visibility › Windshield wiper/washerCovers: Mercedes-Benz S Class 2001, CL Class 2001
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The sheathing material on the electrical connection of the heated windshield washer bottle hose could overheat.
Recall details for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz S Class → · 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. 5 on record; the latest 5 are shown.
- 10136035Jun 23, 2014Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). Complaints about poor wiping effect of winshield wiper
- 10030939Jul 31, 2009Brakes. Mercedes: parktronic intermittently not functioning. The function works again after a short time or distance. When the foot operated parking brake is applied, the parktronic system is deactivated…
- 10030929Jun 15, 2009Brakes. Mercedes: corrosion protection coatings for brake components and hardware may be damaged and or stripped away if highly concentrated acid based cleaners are used. Once the corrosion protection is…
- 10025845Jul 28, 2008Exterior lighting. Mercedes benz: water in tail lamp housing on either right side or left side.
- 10014583Mar 16, 2005Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). Seal between exterior rear view mirror housing and door.
Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz S Class
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 15 | 38,388 | 4 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2003 | 28 | 55,000 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 48 | 78,139 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 36 | 96,000 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 81 | 84,000 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 9 | 96,500 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1996 | 6 | 121,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 27 | 130,500 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 12 | 129,750 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Mercedes-Benz S Class model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2001 Mercedes-Benz S Class have?
NHTSA recorded 36 consumer complaints for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz S Class as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2001 Mercedes-Benz S Class is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 21 complaints (58% of the total), followed by interior lighting with 7.
Has the 2001 Mercedes-Benz S Class been recalled?
NHTSA lists 5 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 S Class reported?
Among the 31 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 96,000 miles and the middle half falls between 60,100 and 103,200 miles; 16% 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.