MERCEDES-BENZ 600 · model year

2001 MERCEDES-BENZ 600

16 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2001MERCEDES-BENZ600 carries 16 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 6 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2001 600 is latches/locks/linkages:trunk lid:lock with 1 filings, followed by vehicle speed control:cruise control (1) and electrical system (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 15 investigation files overlapping the 2001 600. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

16
Complaints
6
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

16 filings

Crashes Reported

6 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL:AUTOMATIC (ASC)1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP1
SUSPENSION:FRONT1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS1
VISIBILITY1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
STRUCTURE1

Recent Complaints

20091201CrashEXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

AT APPROXIMATELY 1:45AM ON JULY 4, 2009 WHILE TRAVELING SOUTH ON INTERSTATE 65 NEAR MARSHALL, ARKANSAS I WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION (IN THE INSURED VEHICLE A 2001 S600 MERCEDES-BENZ) WITH A COW THAT RAN ONTO TO THE HIGHWAY IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911 AND STATE FARM. THEY INSTRUCTED ME TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THEIR STATE FARM APPROVED AUTO REPAIR SHOPS IN THE AREA, STEVE'S BODY SHOP, WHICH IS NOT A CERTIFIED MERCEDES REPAIR FACILITY. DUE TO STATE FARM'S REQUIREMENT THAT I LEAVE THE CAR AT STEVE'S BODY SHOP, A NON-MERCEDES CERTIFIED REPAIR FACILITY, THE CAR TOOK OVER TWO MONTHS TO REPAIR AND WAS REPAIRED INCORRECTLY DUE TO STEVE NOT BEING A CERTIFIED MERCEDES MECHANIC/FACILITY. WHILE DRIVING HOME I NOTICED THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON (IT HAD NOT BEEN ON PRIOR TO THE CRASH), THE RIGHT SIDE HEAD LAMP WAS OUT OF ADJUSTMENT, MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND WINDOW DID NOT OPERATE PROPERLY, THE ABC HYDRAULIC WAS NOT FUNCTIONING, AND THERE WAS A DENT ON THE TOP OF MY CAR. NONE OF

20091201CrashVISIBILITY

AT APPROXIMATELY 1:45AM ON JULY 4, 2009 WHILE TRAVELING SOUTH ON INTERSTATE 65 NEAR MARSHALL, ARKANSAS I WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION (IN THE INSURED VEHICLE A 2001 S600 MERCEDES-BENZ) WITH A COW THAT RAN ONTO TO THE HIGHWAY IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911 AND STATE FARM. THEY INSTRUCTED ME TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THEIR STATE FARM APPROVED AUTO REPAIR SHOPS IN THE AREA, STEVE'S BODY SHOP, WHICH IS NOT A CERTIFIED MERCEDES REPAIR FACILITY. DUE TO STATE FARM'S REQUIREMENT THAT I LEAVE THE CAR AT STEVE'S BODY SHOP, A NON-MERCEDES CERTIFIED REPAIR FACILITY, THE CAR TOOK OVER TWO MONTHS TO REPAIR AND WAS REPAIRED INCORRECTLY DUE TO STEVE NOT BEING A CERTIFIED MERCEDES MECHANIC/FACILITY. WHILE DRIVING HOME I NOTICED THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON (IT HAD NOT BEEN ON PRIOR TO THE CRASH), THE RIGHT SIDE HEAD LAMP WAS OUT OF ADJUSTMENT, MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND WINDOW DID NOT OPERATE PROPERLY, THE ABC HYDRAULIC WAS NOT FUNCTIONING, AND THERE WAS A DENT ON THE TOP OF MY CAR. NONE OF

20091201CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

AT APPROXIMATELY 1:45AM ON JULY 4, 2009 WHILE TRAVELING SOUTH ON INTERSTATE 65 NEAR MARSHALL, ARKANSAS I WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION (IN THE INSURED VEHICLE A 2001 S600 MERCEDES-BENZ) WITH A COW THAT RAN ONTO TO THE HIGHWAY IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911 AND STATE FARM. THEY INSTRUCTED ME TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THEIR STATE FARM APPROVED AUTO REPAIR SHOPS IN THE AREA, STEVE'S BODY SHOP, WHICH IS NOT A CERTIFIED MERCEDES REPAIR FACILITY. DUE TO STATE FARM'S REQUIREMENT THAT I LEAVE THE CAR AT STEVE'S BODY SHOP, A NON-MERCEDES CERTIFIED REPAIR FACILITY, THE CAR TOOK OVER TWO MONTHS TO REPAIR AND WAS REPAIRED INCORRECTLY DUE TO STEVE NOT BEING A CERTIFIED MERCEDES MECHANIC/FACILITY. WHILE DRIVING HOME I NOTICED THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON (IT HAD NOT BEEN ON PRIOR TO THE CRASH), THE RIGHT SIDE HEAD LAMP WAS OUT OF ADJUSTMENT, MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND WINDOW DID NOT OPERATE PROPERLY, THE ABC HYDRAULIC WAS NOT FUNCTIONING, AND THERE WAS A DENT ON THE TOP OF MY CAR. NONE OF

20091201CrashENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

AT APPROXIMATELY 1:45AM ON JULY 4, 2009 WHILE TRAVELING SOUTH ON INTERSTATE 65 NEAR MARSHALL, ARKANSAS I WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION (IN THE INSURED VEHICLE A 2001 S600 MERCEDES-BENZ) WITH A COW THAT RAN ONTO TO THE HIGHWAY IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911 AND STATE FARM. THEY INSTRUCTED ME TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THEIR STATE FARM APPROVED AUTO REPAIR SHOPS IN THE AREA, STEVE'S BODY SHOP, WHICH IS NOT A CERTIFIED MERCEDES REPAIR FACILITY. DUE TO STATE FARM'S REQUIREMENT THAT I LEAVE THE CAR AT STEVE'S BODY SHOP, A NON-MERCEDES CERTIFIED REPAIR FACILITY, THE CAR TOOK OVER TWO MONTHS TO REPAIR AND WAS REPAIRED INCORRECTLY DUE TO STEVE NOT BEING A CERTIFIED MERCEDES MECHANIC/FACILITY. WHILE DRIVING HOME I NOTICED THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON (IT HAD NOT BEEN ON PRIOR TO THE CRASH), THE RIGHT SIDE HEAD LAMP WAS OUT OF ADJUSTMENT, MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND WINDOW DID NOT OPERATE PROPERLY, THE ABC HYDRAULIC WAS NOT FUNCTIONING, AND THERE WAS A DENT ON THE TOP OF MY CAR. NONE OF

20091201CrashSTRUCTURE

AT APPROXIMATELY 1:45AM ON JULY 4, 2009 WHILE TRAVELING SOUTH ON INTERSTATE 65 NEAR MARSHALL, ARKANSAS I WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION (IN THE INSURED VEHICLE A 2001 S600 MERCEDES-BENZ) WITH A COW THAT RAN ONTO TO THE HIGHWAY IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911 AND STATE FARM. THEY INSTRUCTED ME TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THEIR STATE FARM APPROVED AUTO REPAIR SHOPS IN THE AREA, STEVE'S BODY SHOP, WHICH IS NOT A CERTIFIED MERCEDES REPAIR FACILITY. DUE TO STATE FARM'S REQUIREMENT THAT I LEAVE THE CAR AT STEVE'S BODY SHOP, A NON-MERCEDES CERTIFIED REPAIR FACILITY, THE CAR TOOK OVER TWO MONTHS TO REPAIR AND WAS REPAIRED INCORRECTLY DUE TO STEVE NOT BEING A CERTIFIED MERCEDES MECHANIC/FACILITY. WHILE DRIVING HOME I NOTICED THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON (IT HAD NOT BEEN ON PRIOR TO THE CRASH), THE RIGHT SIDE HEAD LAMP WAS OUT OF ADJUSTMENT, MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND WINDOW DID NOT OPERATE PROPERLY, THE ABC HYDRAULIC WAS NOT FUNCTIONING, AND THERE WAS A DENT ON THE TOP OF MY CAR. NONE OF

20091201CrashEQUIPMENT

AT APPROXIMATELY 1:45AM ON JULY 4, 2009 WHILE TRAVELING SOUTH ON INTERSTATE 65 NEAR MARSHALL, ARKANSAS I WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION (IN THE INSURED VEHICLE A 2001 S600 MERCEDES-BENZ) WITH A COW THAT RAN ONTO TO THE HIGHWAY IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911 AND STATE FARM. THEY INSTRUCTED ME TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THEIR STATE FARM APPROVED AUTO REPAIR SHOPS IN THE AREA, STEVE'S BODY SHOP, WHICH IS NOT A CERTIFIED MERCEDES REPAIR FACILITY. DUE TO STATE FARM'S REQUIREMENT THAT I LEAVE THE CAR AT STEVE'S BODY SHOP, A NON-MERCEDES CERTIFIED REPAIR FACILITY, THE CAR TOOK OVER TWO MONTHS TO REPAIR AND WAS REPAIRED INCORRECTLY DUE TO STEVE NOT BEING A CERTIFIED MERCEDES MECHANIC/FACILITY. WHILE DRIVING HOME I NOTICED THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON (IT HAD NOT BEEN ON PRIOR TO THE CRASH), THE RIGHT SIDE HEAD LAMP WAS OUT OF ADJUSTMENT, MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND WINDOW DID NOT OPERATE PROPERLY, THE ABC HYDRAULIC WAS NOT FUNCTIONING, AND THERE WAS A DENT ON THE TOP OF MY CAR. NONE OF

20081208EXTERIOR LIGHTING

OIL LEAK ON 2001 MB S600 MODELS. THEY ALL HAVE BAD OIL COOLERS. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

20080827SUSPENSION:FRONT

1. THIS PROBLEM STARTED IMMEDIATELY AFTER I PURCHASED THE AUTO. SOMETHING IN THE FRONT PART OF THE AUTO MAKES A THROBBING NOISE. IT CAUSES EITHER THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL OR THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL TO LOSE ITS BALANCE. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. IN A ONE HOUR TRIP, IT WILL HAPPEN AT LEAST ONCE AND FOR A PERIOD OF FROM 5 MINUTES TO 20 MINUTES. 2. ONE OF THE FRONT WHEELS OR BOTH LOSE THEIR BALANCE. IT FEELS AS IF THE SOME OF THE LUGS HOLDING THE WHEEL ARE LOSE. I WAS STOPPED ONCE BY THE POLICE BECAUSE THE POLICE THOUGHT IT WAS DANGEROUS. I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE AUTO DEALER. IT OCCURS WHEN I CHANGE LANES AND GO OVER THE LANE MARKERS. THE WHEELS START VIBRATING. IT CAUSES EITHER THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL OR THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL TO LOSE ITS BALANCE. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. IN A ONE HOUR TRIP, IT WILL HAPPEN AT LEAST ONCE AND FOR A PERIOD OF FROM 5 MINUTES TO 20 MINUTES. THE CONSEQUENCE IS THAT THE PROBLEM CAUSES THE FRONT TIRES TO BE EATEN UP FROM JUST THE SIDE AND NEED TO

Mileage: 27,600

20070413SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ 600. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN LEAKING HYDRAULIC FLUID. THE ANTI-SKID INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY A MECHANIC. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,000.*AK

Mileage: 62,000

20070413SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ 600. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN LEAKING HYDRAULIC FLUID. THE ANTI-SKID INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY A MECHANIC. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,000.*AK

Mileage: 62,000

20061108ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATION BLINKED ON AND OFF, THEN FAILED COMPLETELY, MAKING THE GAUGES DIFFICULT TO READ IN THE DAYTIME AND IMPOSSIBLE AT NIGHT. THE SERVICE DEALER'S MOBILE TECHNICIAN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF RECALL # 06V028000 FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT PANEL DUE TO THE VIN.

Mileage: 40,433

20050610ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL:AUTOMATIC (ASC)

THE FRONT WHEELS LOSE THEIR ALIGNMENT EASILY AND FREQUENTLY. THE FRONT TIRES START WOBBLING AND CONTINUE WOBBLING FOR MINUTES. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY FRONT TIRES FREQUENTLY. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY LEFT WHEEL. THE AUTHORIZED MERCEDES DEALER IS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.

Mileage: 27,000

20030922VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

WHILE DRIVING, THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED ON ITS OWN. THERE WAS NO WARNING. *AK THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD SUDDENLY DISENGAGE AND WAS INTERMITTENT, THE WINDOW HAD BLOWN OUT DURING BAD WEATHER, THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL DID NOT FUNCTION MOST OF THE TIME, THE ABC WARNING HAD COME ON, THEN SUDDENLY THE BRAKE LIGHT HAD GONE OUT, THE BRAKE-LINING HAD GONE THIN, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED EMPTY WHEN THE TANK WAS FILLED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD GONE OUT (AGAIN), THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CAR WASH WHEN WATER GUSHED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WITH THE WINDOWS CLOSED, THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE JUMP STARTED TWICE AND THE DEALER COULDN'T FIND WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, THE TURN SIGNAL HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE AND THE CONSUMER FOUND THE "REAR SAM" FUSE BOX WITH CORROSION ALONG WITH THE WIRING HARNESS. *SCC *JB

20030922ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING, THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED ON ITS OWN. THERE WAS NO WARNING. *AK THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD SUDDENLY DISENGAGE AND WAS INTERMITTENT, THE WINDOW HAD BLOWN OUT DURING BAD WEATHER, THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL DID NOT FUNCTION MOST OF THE TIME, THE ABC WARNING HAD COME ON, THEN SUDDENLY THE BRAKE LIGHT HAD GONE OUT, THE BRAKE-LINING HAD GONE THIN, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED EMPTY WHEN THE TANK WAS FILLED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD GONE OUT (AGAIN), THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CAR WASH WHEN WATER GUSHED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WITH THE WINDOWS CLOSED, THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE JUMP STARTED TWICE AND THE DEALER COULDN'T FIND WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, THE TURN SIGNAL HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE AND THE CONSUMER FOUND THE "REAR SAM" FUSE BOX WITH CORROSION ALONG WITH THE WIRING HARNESS. *SCC *JB

20030922VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

WHILE DRIVING, THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED ON ITS OWN. THERE WAS NO WARNING. *AK THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD SUDDENLY DISENGAGE AND WAS INTERMITTENT, THE WINDOW HAD BLOWN OUT DURING BAD WEATHER, THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL DID NOT FUNCTION MOST OF THE TIME, THE ABC WARNING HAD COME ON, THEN SUDDENLY THE BRAKE LIGHT HAD GONE OUT, THE BRAKE-LINING HAD GONE THIN, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED EMPTY WHEN THE TANK WAS FILLED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD GONE OUT (AGAIN), THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CAR WASH WHEN WATER GUSHED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WITH THE WINDOWS CLOSED, THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE JUMP STARTED TWICE AND THE DEALER COULDN'T FIND WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, THE TURN SIGNAL HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE AND THE CONSUMER FOUND THE "REAR SAM" FUSE BOX WITH CORROSION ALONG WITH THE WIRING HARNESS. *SCC *JB

20030313LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK

FAILURE OF TRUNK TO CLOSE EVENLY. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THIS PROBLEM IS WITH ALL THE MERCEDES S600 VEHICLES AND THAT IT CANNOT BE REPAIRED WITHOUT THE INSTALLATION OF A SECOND MOTOR ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TRUNK. THIS WILL CAUSE WATER TO ENTER IN THE TRUNK, AND CAUSE RUST TO THE BODY OF THE CAR.*JB

Mileage: 27,542

Compare 2001MERCEDES-BENZ600 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ 600 have?
The 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ 600 has 16 NHTSA complaints, 6 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ 600?
The most-complained component for the 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ 600 is LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK with 1 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ 600 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.