Recalls (5)
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗ABC HIGH PRESSURE HOSE
- Summary
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE
- Summary
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
MERCEDES-BENZ/BLOWER MOTOR FUSE HOLDER
- Summary
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
MERCEDES-BENZ/TRUNK FLOOR MATS/STATIC DISCHARGE
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
MERCEDES-BENZ/WINDSHIELD WIPER WASHER BOTTLE
- Summary
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SHEATHING MATERIAL ON THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION OF THE HEATED WINDSHIELD WASHER BOTTLE HOSE COULD OVERHEAT.
- Consequence
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (36)
36 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 36 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 21 | 58.3% |
| Interior lighting | 7 | 19.4% |
| Suspension | 5 | 13.9% |
| Air bags | 1 | 2.8% |
| Child seat | 1 | 2.8% |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 2.8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 2.8% |
| Fuel system | 1 | 2.8% |
| Power train | 1 | 2.8% |
| Seats | 1 | 2.8% |
How 2001 compares with other S-Class years
Best and worst S-Class years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 2 | 0 |
| 1998 | 2 | 0 |
| 1999 | 9 | 0 |
| 2000 | 81 | 5 |
| 2001 | 36 | 5 |
| 2002 | 48 | 2 |
| 2003 | 28 | 2 |
| 2004 | 15 | 4 |
| 2005 | 2 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 | 1 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 17 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $4,850
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 523 g/mi
- EPA class
- Large Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 17 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.4 L 8-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 20 / 17 | $4,850 | 523 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2001 S-Class for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class FAQ
How many recalls does the 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class have?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns: 07V263000 (engine), 06V028000 (lighting), 04V227000 (electrical), 02V338000 (electrical), 01V014000 (visibility). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class problems?
Owners filed 36 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (21), Interior lighting (7), Suspension (5) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class get?
EPA rates the 5.4 L 8-cyl · 5-speed automatic version at 14 city, 20 highway and 17 combined mpg.
How does the 2001 S-Class compare with other years?
Among the 1997–2009 Mercedes-Benz S-Class model years at least five years old, the 1997 drew the fewest complaints (2) and the 2000 the most (81). The 2001 drew 36. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.