NHTSA vehicle safety data

2001 Mercedes Benz S Class Recalls & Complaints

The 2001 Mercedes Benz S Class has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 36 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 S Class. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2001 Mercedes Benz S Class owner complaints

Owners have filed 36 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Mercedes Benz S Class, describing incidents dated May 16, 2001 to June 1, 2012.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 21 complaints
Interior Lighting 7 complaints
Suspension 5 complaints
Air Bags 1 complaint
Child Seat 1 complaint
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) 1 complaint

Of the 36 complaints on file, 1 reports a fire; across all 36 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10460306 · Filed June 1, 2012
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…
ODI #10459994 · Filed May 30, 2012
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…
ODI #10450266 · Filed March 5, 2012
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…

Read all 36 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2001 Mercedes Benz S Class in 1 investigation. 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.

Preliminary Evaluation PE05-062: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE
Closed February 8, 2006
- Recall 06V-028

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

ABC HIGH PRESSURE HOSE

NHTSA #07V263000 · Suspension · NHTSA notice

Reported June 12, 2007 · MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.

Potentially affected: 19,924 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 2007060002 · Owners notified July 2, 2007

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

MERCEDES-BENZ RECALL NO. 207060002.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE

NHTSA #06V028000 · Interior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported February 2, 2006 · MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.

Potentially affected: 36,911 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 2006080004 · Owners notified September 29, 2006 · Vehicles built June 1, 2000 – November 30, 2000 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

MERCEDES-BENZ/BLOWER MOTOR FUSE HOLDER

NHTSA #04V227000 · Electrical System — Wiring — Fuses and Circuit Breakers · NHTSA notice

Reported May 13, 2004 · MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.

Potentially affected: 54,454 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 2004 070010 · Owners notified October 18, 2004 · Vehicles built May 1, 1998 – October 31, 2000 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

MERCEDES-BENZ RECALL NO. 2004 070010.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

MERCEDES-BENZ/TRUNK FLOOR MATS/STATIC DISCHARGE

NHTSA #02V338000 · Electrical System — 12V/24V/48V Battery · NHTSA notice

Reported December 16, 2002 · MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.

Potentially affected: 65,000 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 2002 110014 · Owners notified February 14, 2003

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THIS CAN DAMAGE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COMPONENTS LOCATED IN THE TRUNK, INCLUDING THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

MERCEDES-BENZ RECALL NO. 2002110014. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

MERCEDES-BENZ/WINDSHIELD WIPER WASHER BOTTLE

NHTSA #01V014000 · Visibility — Windshield Wiper/Washer · NHTSA notice

Reported January 17, 2001 · MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.

Potentially affected: 3,400 vehicles

Owners notified January 29, 2001 · Vehicles built November 1, 2000 – January 15, 2001 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SHEATHING MATERIAL ON THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION OF THE HEATED WINDSHIELD WASHER BOTTLE HOSE COULD OVERHEAT.

Safety consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE THE SURROUNDING PLASTIC AND INSULATION TO MELT.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

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

36 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Mercedes Benz S Class.

Electrical System; Interior Lighting

ODI #10460306

Incident: June 1, 2012 · Filed: June 1, 2012

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 NHTSA 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

Suspension

ODI #10459994

Incident: May 30, 2012 · Filed: May 30, 2012

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. *TR

Electrical System

ODI #10450266

Incident: March 2, 2012 · Filed: March 5, 2012

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.

Electrical System

ODI #10436898

Incident: May 1, 2011 · Filed: November 23, 2011

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.

Interior Lighting

ODI #10430088

Incident: August 1, 2011 · Filed: October 13, 2011

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 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING). THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Electrical System

ODI #10418230

Incident: August 8, 2011 · Filed: August 9, 2011

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. *TR

Electrical System

ODI #10414781

Incident: July 1, 2011 · Filed: July 22, 2011

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) *TT

Electrical System

ODI #10407546

Incident: June 18, 2011 · Filed: June 20, 2011

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. *TT

Suspension

ODI #10335598

Incident: June 5, 2010 · Filed: June 10, 2010

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. *TR

Power Train

ODI #10285343

Incident: September 4, 2009 · Filed: September 26, 2009

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. *TR

Other Mercedes Benz S Class model years

Check your 2001 Mercedes Benz S Class VIN

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

Check a Mercedes Benz VIN