Total Complaints
33 filings
MERCEDES-BENZ E CLASS · model year
2001 MERCEDES-BENZ E CLASS
33 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2001MERCEDES-BENZE CLASS carries 33 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 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 E CLASS is engine and engine cooling:engine with 2 filings, followed by interior lighting (2) and service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (2). 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 E CLASS. 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.
33
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 2 |
| INTERIOR LIGHTING | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL | 1 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | 1 |
| EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL | 1 |
| EQUIPMENT | 1 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL:AUTOMATIC (ASC) | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20090914ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
Mileage: 128,431
20090914TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
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
Mileage: 128,431
20090914ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
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
Mileage: 128,431
20090914SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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
Mileage: 128,431
20080910TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
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
Mileage: 99,485
20080427TIRES
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
Mileage: 62,000
20071104UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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
Mileage: 69,600
20070516POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT
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.
Mileage: 69,000
20070405ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
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
Mileage: 30,000
20070405UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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
Mileage: 30,000
20061207INTERIOR LIGHTING
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
20060510SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
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.
20060510STEERING
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.
20060510SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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.
20060510ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
20060510EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
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.
20060510EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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.
20060510ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
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.
20051110VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
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
20041007CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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
Compare 2001MERCEDES-BENZE CLASS to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ E CLASS have?▼
The 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ E CLASS has 33 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ E CLASS?▼
The most-complained component for the 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ E CLASS is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include INTERIOR LIGHTING and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP.
Is the 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ E CLASS 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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.