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Mercedes-Benz S600Model year report

2001 Mercedes-Benz S600 Problems

Complaints
38filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
67,000miles, 32 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
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 S600 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 38 consumer complaints for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz S600. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 17 complaints (45% of the total), followed by suspension (10) and engine (6). 32 of the complaints include a mileage, and 19% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 67,000 miles. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 42 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Suspension complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 4 technical service bulletins 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.

Example complaints

Engine cooling: “My oil cooler has been leaking since 41,000 miles and I have read other mercedes benz S600 owners have the same problems. To fix this problem I would have to pay a shop 4k dollars. If this is a common problem for this car I think mercedes benz should have a recall on this issue and fix the problem. I leak up to a quart of oil every 2 weeks.”

NHTSA complaint #10291912, filed 2009-11, 44,000 miles

Suspension: “2001 S600 abc hose leak -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- so my abc hose is leaking and the shop said that they would need to remove the transmission to replace it - about $3200 in labor and $1000 for the part, and that it must be repaired right away because it might leak on the cat and start a fire. There is a recall. I don't think my insurance co. Is going to appreciate it if they have to cover an S600 barbecue. …”

NHTSA complaint #10218986, filed 2008-02, 78,000 miles

Engine: “Takata inflators my car seems to be leaking oil. I took it to a shop they told me it was my oil cooler, I was told this is a common problem with the mercedes benz s 600 in that it should be a recall on this matter...when I purchased the car I noticed oil leaks in my garage so as I drove the vehicle I noticed smoke coming from underneath the car I pulled the car over shut it off and called the tow truck...”

NHTSA complaint #10884648, filed 2016-07, 84,000 miles

Electrical system: “The contact owns a 2001 mercedes benz S600. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH, the instrument cluster became inoperable. The vehicle stalled but restarted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 87,600.”

NHTSA complaint #10679459, filed 2015-01, 87,600 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

19% of the 32 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 54,000 and 78,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–2519%25–5047%50–7534%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (32 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 67,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

2005200792009201120152018
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 S600 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
S600 RWD5.8L 12-cyl5-speed automatic142116$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

Recall details for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz S600 → · 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. 42 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 42 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz S600

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2007535,0000—13—Not enough data
2003663,9881—14—Not enough data
20021180,5111—16—Not enough data
20013867,0001—16Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Mercedes-Benz S600 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2001 Mercedes-Benz S600 have?

NHTSA recorded 38 consumer complaints for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz S600 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2001 Mercedes-Benz S600 is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 17 complaints (45% of the total), followed by suspension with 10.

Has the 2001 Mercedes-Benz S600 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 S600 get?

The EPA rates the 2001 Mercedes-Benz S600 (S600, 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 S600 reported?

Among the 32 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 67,000 miles and the middle half falls between 54,000 and 78,000 miles; 19% 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.