Tl* the contact owns a 2001 mercedes benz s class. The contact was driving 65 MPH when he noticed that the lights on the instrument panel failed and smoke was coming from the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that they needed to replace the instrument cluster module. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and advised that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 06v028000 (interior lighting) but the recall had expired. The failure and the current mileage was 134,000. Updated 07/13/12 *bf updated 07/31/12
The worst 2001 Mercedes Benz S Class problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Electrical21
- Lights7
- Suspension5
- Acceleration1
- Airbags1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical21
- Lights7
- Suspension5
- Acceleration1
- Airbags1
- Body1
- Driver assistance1
- Engine1
- Fuel system1
- Seats1
- Tires1
- Transmission1
Recalls 5
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- This may result in abc hydraulic fluid leakage near the catalytic converter. Leaking fluid may come in contact with hot engine components and lead to a possible fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install new corrosion resistant abc high pressure distribution hose. The recall began on july 2, 2007. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1‑800‑367‑6372.
Recall number 07V263000 · Recall details
Interior lighting
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- Due to inadequate illumination, the driver will be unable to read the gauges and indicators, such as the speedometer, which could increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the instrument cluster modules. The recall will be conducted in phases. Phase I was mailed out to approximately 7,500 owners on september 29, 2006. Phase ii and phase iii is scheduled for december 2006. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1‑800‑367‑6372.
Recall number 06V028000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- Consequently, the electric conductor of the blower motor fuse holder may dissipate more heat than the plastic fuse holder was designed to withstand, which could result in overheating of the holder and disabling of the blower motor and the ability to defrost or defog the windshiled in cold or hot and humid weather conditions. Depending on the occurrence and weather situation, driver visibility could be reduced, which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install new blower motor fuse holders. The recall began during october 2004. Owners should contact mercedes-benz at 1‑800‑367‑6372.
Recall number 04V227000 · Recall details
Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- This can damage the electrical system components located in the trunk, including the vehicle's battery.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a static insulation panel between the carpet and the vehicle battery which will provide an electrical grounding. Owner notification began february 14, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact mercedes-benz at 1‑800‑367‑6372.
Recall number 02V338000 · Recall details
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The sheathing material on the electrical connection of the heated windshield washer bottle hose could overheat.
- Risk
- This could cause the surrounding plastic and insulation to melt.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the heated washer bottle hose assembly. Owner notification began january 29, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact mercedes-benz at 1‑800‑367‑6372.
Recall number 01V014000 · Recall details
See all 5 recalls for the 2001 Mercedes Benz S Class
Defect investigations
Instrument cluster failure
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this investigation based on seven reports indicating that the instrument clusters in model year (my) 2000-2001 mercedes-benz s class vehicles failed in that consumers were unable to read any of the gauges while operating their vehicles at any speed during the day or night.in its 573 report to the federal safety agency dated february 1, 2006, mercedes-benz USA, llc (mercedes-benz)states that there are three instrument cluster failure modes that would result in undesirable operation.these three failure modes are specific to certain dates of production (see below) for the subject vehicle, and mercedes-benz is recalling those vehicles within those dates.specific information regarding the failure modes is described in mercedes-benz's report (see the federal safety agency recall 06v028).three of the odi complaints submitted to mercedes-benz involve vehicles that were produced before the dates of production of vehicles affected by the three failure modes.based on review of those three complaints, mercedes-benz was unable to identify a relation of those three to the defects identified in the recalled vehicles.all of the mercedes-benz complaints with vins identified were within the recall population (only 2 vehicle vins were not available to positively identify vehicle build date).the recall population will include 36,911 s class and cl class mercedes-benz vehicles built in the production dates ranging from june 2000 through november 2000, january 2002 through april 2002, and may 2004 through september 2004.these dates of production cover vehicles from the 2000-2002 my and the 2004-2005 my.to correct the condition, mercedes-benz will replace all affected instrument clusters with improved ones that are not subject to the failure modes.mercedes-benz will begin owner notification during the 1st quarter of 2006.
PE05062
Technical service bulletins for the 2001 Mercedes Benz S Class 13
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Complaints about poor wiping effect of winshield wiper
- Mercedes: parktronic intermittently not functioning
- Mercedes: corrosion protection coatings for brake components and hardware may be damaged and or stripped...
- Mercedes benz: water in tail lamp housing on either right side or left side.
- Seal between exterior rear view mirror housing and door
- After eis replacement circuit 15X delayed after ignition start
- The high pressure hydraulic distribution hose of the active body control (ABC) may deteriorate over time...
- Replacement of abc pressure supply valve unit hydraulic line
- Air mass sensors
- Subject regarding hard starting after fuel filter replacement
2001 Mercedes Benz S Class fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.4L 8‑cyl | RWD | 14 | 20 | 17 |
| 5.8L 12‑cyl | RWD | 14 | 21 | 16 |
What 2001 Mercedes Benz S Class owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 mercedes benz s-class. The contact was driving 55 MPH when the instrument panel lights failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the dealer confirmed that the illumination cluster needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileages were 108,976.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 mercedes benz s500. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked and the instrument panel gauges would not illuminate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic. The mechanic stated that the instrument panel cluster would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 mercedes benz s500. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the lighting on the instrument panel failed to illuminate. As a result, the contact could not read any of the gauges or meters on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated the instrument cluster module needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number 06v028000 (interior lighting). The instrument panel was replaced. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Mercedes benz never informed me that my car an s500 was involved in a recall to change the instrumental panel lighting, now that it failed the miami mercedes dealership do not want to fix my car alleging that there was not any recall, that it was only a warranty extension beginning in 2001 for 10 years leaving me out of coverage since my car is 2001. I think this is unfair to the unsuspecting public lack of communication and desire to do little for the users of their cars my car is within the 10 years and refuse to fix it that is my complaint.
I have a 2001 mercedess430 which has a failed instrument cluster. There appears to have been a recall issued in 2006 but it was limited to a certain number of VIN# and does not cover the widespread issues I have uncovered via my research. This is a serious defect that could cause a major accident as the lights go out, no gauges work, and you have no idea how fast you are going, what gear you are in e.g. You could accidentally reverse, etc. I called mercedes benz along with several dealers and they indicate that they will not cover this and the cost is exorbitant. This is a fatal error and can not be corrected to work or function at all without full replacement of the entire instrument cluster. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
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.
My car's air-matic suspension system failed and my car is very, very low. It failed while I was driving fast on the freeway; I almost lost control of the car.
For the past few months my car has been getting stuck in park. The problem is becoming more frequent. The last time the shifter got stuck in park, the only way I could get it out of park was to hit the top of shifter with a rubber mallet (this is the method used by mercedes benz roadside service). This is an unsafe, potentially deadly problem. I recently ran out of gas on the highway and as I coasted onto an off ramp, my car came to a stop on a narrow section of road where the cars drive by very fast. I put the car in park to try to restart the engine and after trying this for a minute, I decided to push the car a bit further off the roadway. The car was struck in park again (at the worst possible time and place) and would not release. Luckily I survived. Please read about this problem at the mercedes benz forums and you will learn how prevalent the problem is. The dealers have been charging $700 - $2200 to fix this problem which is caused by a 10 cent plastic part that breaks inside the shifter. The newer model mercedes benz's have been outfitted with an open compartment at the shifter which allows the driver to disengage the shifter lock in the event that it becomes stuck. This clearly demonstrates that mercedes benz is aware of the problem and has addressed it in the newer models. This is a very dangerous condition that affects the driver and passengers safety and mercedes should recall this shifter defect or extend the warranty to cover this defect. I also believe that since this is a problem that must be fixed when it occurs, complaints have not been reported as frequently as they may have been otherwise. This vehicle is not being used at the time as the shifter condition has made it undriveable. The common fix employed by some owners (which I may also use) involves the disassembly of the console, shifter and linkage and the removal of the 10 cent part broken inside the shifter. The car can then be taken out of park without pressing the brake.
Compare the 2001 Mercedes Benz S Class
Other model years
Questions about the 2001 Mercedes Benz S Class
Is the 2001 Mercedes Benz S Class reliable?
Owners have filed 36 complaints about the 2001 Mercedes Benz S Class, 2.4 times a typical S Class model year.
What is the 2001 Mercedes Benz S Class year score?
The 2001 Mercedes Benz S Class scores 40 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Mercedes Benz S Class: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 Mercedes Benz S Class?
Electrical system, with 21 complaints, typically around 81,450 miles. Next is lights (7).
How many recalls does the 2001 Mercedes Benz S Class have?
5 recalls, covering engine and engine cooling, interior lighting and electrical system.
Was there a recall on the 2001 Mercedes Benz S Class electrical?
Yes, 2 recalls: 04V227000, 02V338000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Mercedes Benz S Class have the most electrical problems?
The Mercedes Benz S Class model years with the most electrical complaints are 2000 (33 complaints), 1995 (22 complaints) and 2001 (21 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2001 Mercedes Benz S Class get?
Official estimates for the 2001 Mercedes Benz S Class range from 16 to 17 mpg combined. The most efficient version (5.4L 8-cyl, RWD) gets 14 city and 20 highway.
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