NHTSA vehicle safety data

2001 Mercedes Benz E Class Recalls & Complaints

The 2001 Mercedes Benz E Class has no NHTSA recall campaigns and 15 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Mercedes Benz dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2001 Mercedes Benz E Class. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2001 Mercedes Benz E Class owner complaints

Owners have filed 15 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Mercedes Benz E Class, describing incidents dated December 21, 2002 to September 12, 2009.

Most-cited components

Service Brakes 4 complaints
Electrical System 3 complaints
Engine 3 complaints
Equipment 3 complaints
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) 2 complaints
Exterior Lighting 2 complaints

Of the 15 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10283940 · Filed September 14, 2009
THE STOP LAMP SWITCH, WHICH ACTIVATES THE STOP LAMPS, ANT-LOCK BRAKES, TRACTION CONTROL MECHANISMS, ON MY 2001 MERCEDES BENZ E320 HAS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED 4 TIMES IN THE PAST 5 YEARS. THE PART NUMBER THAT CONTINUALLY GOES BAD IS 001-545-64-09. THE MOST RECENT REPLACEMENT WAS 09-12-09. *TR
ODI #10241731 · Filed September 10, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ E-320. WHILE CHANGING THE TIRE TO THE SPARE, THE CONTACT DID NOT USE THE SPECIAL SPARE NUTS. WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO ENTER ONTO THE HIGHWAY, THE MOUNTS IN THE WHEEL LOCKED AND CAUSED THE BRAKES TO ENGAGE. THERE WAS NO PRECAUTIONARY WARNING LABEL ON THE SPARE…
ODI #10225846 · Filed April 27, 2008
DURING SCHEDULED TIRE ROTATION AT SEARS AUTO SHOP, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT A LARGE PIECE (APPROXIMATELY 1 INCH IN DIAMETER) OF THE TIRE WAS MISSING. THE MISSING PIECE WAS FROM THE PART OF THE TIRE THAT MAKES CONTACT WITH THE STREET. THE SEARS MANAGER, INFORMED ME THAT THE TIRE IS UNSAFE TO…

Read all 15 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2001 Mercedes Benz E Class in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Defect Petition DP05-007: TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION
Closed March 27, 2006
Service Query SQ01-010: SUDDEN ENGINE SHUT DOWN
Closed February 4, 2002

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2001 Mercedes Benz E Class as of November 3, 2026. New recalls can be issued at any time, so check the specific VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before buying.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2001 Mercedes Benz E Class. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

15 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Mercedes Benz E Class.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Electrical System; Electronic Stability Control (ESC); Traction Control System

ODI #10283940

Incident: September 12, 2009 · Filed: September 14, 2009

THE STOP LAMP SWITCH, WHICH ACTIVATES THE STOP LAMPS, ANT-LOCK BRAKES, TRACTION CONTROL MECHANISMS, ON MY 2001 MERCEDES BENZ E320 HAS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED 4 TIMES IN THE PAST 5 YEARS. THE PART NUMBER THAT CONTINUALLY GOES BAD IS 001-545-64-09. THE MOST RECENT REPLACEMENT WAS 09-12-09. *TR

Tires

ODI #10241731

Incident: September 3, 2008 · Filed: September 10, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ E-320. WHILE CHANGING THE TIRE TO THE SPARE, THE CONTACT DID NOT USE THE SPECIAL SPARE NUTS. WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO ENTER ONTO THE HIGHWAY, THE MOUNTS IN THE WHEEL LOCKED AND CAUSED THE BRAKES TO ENGAGE. THERE WAS NO PRECAUTIONARY WARNING LABEL ON THE SPARE TIRE TO PREVENT THIS FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE NUTS AND BOLTS, REAR HUBS AND AXLE, BRAKE ROTORS, SHOES, CALIPERS, DRIVESHAFT, SPRINGS, SHACKLES, AND TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT SHE SHOULD HAVE READ THE INFORMATION IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL PRIOR TO CHANGING THE TIRE. THEY REFUSED TO ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 99,485. UPDATED 10/14/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A SECOND BLOWOUT. UPDATED 10/15/08. *JB

Tires

ODI #10225846

Incident: May 18, 2006 · Filed: April 27, 2008

DURING SCHEDULED TIRE ROTATION AT SEARS AUTO SHOP, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT A LARGE PIECE (APPROXIMATELY 1 INCH IN DIAMETER) OF THE TIRE WAS MISSING. THE MISSING PIECE WAS FROM THE PART OF THE TIRE THAT MAKES CONTACT WITH THE STREET. THE SEARS MANAGER, INFORMED ME THAT THE TIRE IS UNSAFE TO RE-INSTALLED. HE ALSO STATED THAT IT WAS A DEFECTIVE AND OFFERED TO REPLACE IT AT 30% OF THE CURRENT PRICE. *TR

Unknown or Other

ODI #10207882

Incident: September 28, 2007 · Filed: November 4, 2007

WE DRIVING ALONG ON THE FREEWAY WHEN MY WIFE BUMPED A CUP OF COFFEE IN THE CUP HOLDER THAT CAUSED A SMALL AMOUNT OF COFFEE TO SPLASH OUT OF THE CUP AND ONTO THE CONSOLE. IN ABOUT 10 MINUTES A NUMBER OF THINGS HAPPENED, FIRST THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT BLANK, SPEEDOMETER, TACK, ETC, AND ALL VEHICLE ALARMS CAME ON, SECOND THE TRANSMISSION WAS LOCKED INTO HIGH GEAR AND THE CAR WOULD NOT DOWNSHIFT. I NOTICED WHEN I CAME TO A SMALL RISE IN THE ROAD THE CAR WOULD NOT DOWNSHIFT SO I LOST POWER. WHEN I STOPPED THE CAR AND PUT TRANSMISSION IN PARK, IT LOCKED IN THAT POSITION AND WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR AND WOULD HARDLY START. I FOUND THIS TO BE UNSAFE CONSEQUENCE OF SUCH A SMALL AMOUNT OF COFFEE TO BE SPLASHED ONTO THE CONSOLE. AFTER HAVING THE CAR TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A MODULE IN THAT AREA THAT AFFECTED NEARLY EVERY ASPECT OF THE CAR. THERE WAS SOMETHING LIKE 60 ALARM CODES IN THE CAR'S COMPUTER. THE BILL WAS $725. THIS IS A FREIGHTING THING TO HAPPEN AT 70 MPH. *JB

Power Train

ODI #10190965

Incident: May 15, 2007 · Filed: May 16, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ E-320. THE CUP HOLDER LOCATED NEAR THE GEAR SHIFT WHEN HOLDING COLD SUBSTANCES SWEATS AND THE LIQUID LEAKS INTO THE ELECTRONICS OF THE GEAR SHIFT. WHILE DRIVING 35MPH, THE LEAKING IN THE CUP HOLDER BLEW OUT THE BRAINS OF THE TRANSMISSION AND LOCKED THE BACK WHEELS ON MAY 16, 2007. THE ENGINE WILL START; HOWEVER, WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS ENGAGED THE VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD (ACCELERATE). THE VEHICLE JUST STOPPED SUDDENLY WITH NO PRIOR WARNING. THE ENGINE SIZE IS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 69000.

Unknown or Other; Electrical System

ODI #10187120

Incident: September 1, 2006 · Filed: April 5, 2007

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAY HAS MALFUNCTIONED ON MY 2001 MERCEDES E320. IT IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS OCCURRED IN ALMOST EVERY MARCEDES. THE COMPANY IS AWARE OF THE DEFECT AND IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. *JB

Interior Lighting

ODI #10175507

Incident: December 4, 2006 · Filed: December 7, 2006

DID A SMOG CHECK ON MY MERCEDES E320 AND FAILED BECAUSE THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD NOT BE ON. CHECKED THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, JUST FOR THE ENGINE LIGHT. I SAW THERE IS A RECALL FOR INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ON MERCEDES S-CLASS, AND WOULD LIKE TO LET YOU KNOW THAT PROBLEM ALSO EXIST IN E-CLASS. *JB

Steering; Suspension; Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Engine and Engine Cooling; Electrical System; Exterior Lighting; Equipment

ODI #10157340

Incident: May 1, 2006 · Filed: May 4, 2006

2001 BENZ E320 WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED. *TS ***NAR*** THE CONSUMER NOTICED A SCRAPING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE UNTIL THE VEHICLE BECAME UNDRIVABLE. THE CONSUMER ALSO NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED NEW BEARINGS ON BOTH FRONT WHEELS AND A NEW LEFT SPINDLE, ROTOR AND BRAKE PADS. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (3 TIMES), FUEL LEVEL SENSOR, OIL LEVEL SENSOR, A/C CONTROL AND REGULATORS ( 3 TIMES), STEERING LOCK AND KEY, RIGHT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY, BOTH CATALYTIC CONVERTERS AND THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW REGULATOR. ALL THESE REPAIRS WERE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.

Visibility

ODI #10142400

Incident: July 7, 2005 · Filed: November 10, 2005

POWER WINDOW NOT WORKING, ONE BY ONE EACH POWER WINDOW STOP WORKING. I REPLACE THE MOTOR, THAN 4 MONTHS LATER REPLACED THE WINDOW ASSEMBLY. THIS APPLIES TO THE FRONT AND REAR WINDOWS. *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #10095449

Crash

Incident: October 2, 2004 · Filed: October 7, 2004

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THIS CAUSED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO COLLIDE WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. NO ONE WAS INJURED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Other Mercedes Benz E Class model years

Check your 2001 Mercedes Benz E Class VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Mercedes Benz E Class at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Mercedes Benz VIN