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2001 problems

FaultScore report

2001 Mercedes Benz C Class problems

Owners have filed 25 complaints about the 2001 Mercedes Benz C Class with NHTSA between 2002 and 2010. The largest single group is the electrical system. Across this model's run it ranks 6 of 9 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Mercedes Benz C Class All 2001 cars

FaultScore 46/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Mercedes Benz C Class.

How this is worked out

The numbers

Complaints

Crashes reported

Fires reported

Injuries reported

17,700 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

62%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.

Complaint volume — 51: Against the median year of the Mercedes Benz C Class. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0: 0% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 100: 62% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2001 compares with every other Mercedes Benz C Class

Click any bar to open that year's report.

1 19 64 10 5 7 7 13 25 46 12 20 8 12

91 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2001 Mercedes Benz C Class

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Electrical System 7 28.0%

Median failure at 93,100 miles

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 3 12.0%

Median failure at 10,168 miles

Engine & Cooling 3 12.0%

Median failure at 93,596 miles

Equipment & Accessories 2 8.0%

Median failure at 42,584 miles

Lights 2 8.0%

Median failure at 17,700 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 2 8.0%

Median failure at 10,784 miles

Other & Unspecified 1 4.0%

Wheels 1 4.0%

Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 4.0%

Suspension 1 4.0%

Brakes 1 4.0%

Median failure at 17,700 miles

Airbags 1 4.0%

Median failure at 10,168 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

10,000 – 24,999 miles 7 53.8%

25,000 – 49,999 miles 1 7.7%

50,000 – 74,999 miles 1 7.7%

75,000 – 99,999 miles 2 15.4%

100,000 – 149,999 miles 2 15.4%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Jul 2002 peak 8 Nov 2010

NHTSA investigations into the 2001 Mercedes Benz C Class

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

DP05007 Opened 7 Nov 2005 Closed 27 Mar 2006 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION

THE PETITIONER ALLEGES THAT COFFEE FROM A CUP, PLACED IN THE CUP HOLDER, SPILLED ONTO THE GEAR SHIFTER AND SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE?S ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE CONCERN RAISED BY THE PETITIONER WAS INVESTIGATED (SQ01-010) AND WAS CLOSED AFTER ODI CONCLUDED THAT THE FACTS DID NOT DEMONSTRATE A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT.ODI HAS SUBSEQUENTLY RECEIVED NINE MORE COMPLAINTS ALLEGING FLUID CONTAMINATION OF THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER SINCE THE INVESTIGATION WAS CLOSED, NONE OF WHICH REPORT CRASHES OR INJURIES.THESE NINE COMPLAINANTS MAINLY EXPRESSED DISSATISFACTION WITH THE DESIGN OF THE CUP HOLDER AND THE...

SQ01010 Opened 25 Sep 2001 Closed 4 Feb 2002 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

SUDDEN ENGINE SHUT DOWN

Recalls on the 2001 Mercedes Benz C Class

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 2022740 22 Dec 2022 10,460 units in Canada

Structure

Issue: On certain vehicles, the sunroof glass may not be properly attached to the sliding roof frame. Over time, the glass can become loose and could separate from the vehicle. Note: Vehicles that were inspected under Transport Canada recalls 2019-668 and 2021-478 also require this inspection. Safety Risk: A sunroof that detaches from the vehicle could create a road hazard for others and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to inspect the bonding of the sunroof glass. Dealers will replace the sliding roof, if necessary.

Recall 2021478 23 Jul 2021 432 units in Canada

Structure

Issue: This recall is for certain vehicles inspected under Mercedes-Benz recall 7891003 (Transport Canada recall 2019-668) that require a second inspection. On certain vehicles, the sunroof glass may not be properly attached to the sliding roof frame. Over time, the glass can become loose and could separate from the vehicle. Note: This recall affects 2006 and 2007 models originally equipped with a sunroof. Additionally, some 2001-2011 models may have had an affected sunroof installed during a repair. Safety Risk: A sunroof that detaches from the vehicle could create a road hazard for others and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to inspect the bonding of the sunroof glass. Dealers will replace the sliding roof, if necessary.

Recall 2019668 23 Dec 2019 30,219 units in Canada

Structure

Issue: On certain vehicles, the sunroof glass may not be properly attached to the sliding roof frame. Over time, the glass can become loose and could separate from the vehicle. Note: This recall affects 2006 and 2007 models originally equipped with a sunroof. Additionally, some 2001-2011 models may have had an affected sunroof installed during a repair. Safety Risk: A sunroof that detaches from the vehicle could create a road hazard for others and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Mercedes-Benz will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to inspect the bonding of the sunroof glass. Dealers will replace the sliding roof, if necessary.

Recall 2001018 29 Jan 2001 119 units in Canada

Lights And Instruments

Certain vehicles were equipped with an incorrect SAM (Signal Acquisition and Activation Module) electronic control unit that does not cause the front side marker lights to illuminate as soon as the master lighting switch is moved to the headlamps "ON" position. Correction: Headlamp function will be checked and, the incorrect SAM unit will be replaced.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Filed 20 Nov 2010 at 93,100 miles Danville, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

BATTERY DRAIN, SEEMS TO COME FROM DEFECT IN SEAT CONTROLLER MODULE. SEE 19 PAGES OF FORUM: HTTP://WWW.BENZWORLD.ORG/FORUMS/W203-C-CLASS/1196568-MERCEDES-C320-BATTERY-DRAIN-11.HTML MERCEDES C240 2001, BUT MANY OTHER MODELS AND YEARS AFFECTED.

NHTSA complaint #10366976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 7 Jul 2010 Cutler BAY, FL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2001 MERCEDES C240. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS AND THE ACCELERATOR FAILED. THE ENGINE WOULD GO FULL THROTTLE WHEN IN GEAR. SHE HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO HAVE IT TOWED TO MECHANIC. HE FOUND THE CAR COMPUTER HAD SAID THE ELECTRONIC ACCELERATOR WAS BAD. A NEW ACCELERATOR WAS PUT IN AND NO MORE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10341913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 28 Jan 2010 at 100,000 miles Davidson, NC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MERCEDEZ BENZ C 240 YEAR 2001 HAS MANY DEFECTS THAT REQUIRED SEVERAL THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS . THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROVIDE ANY HELP.

NHTSA complaint #10303029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 20 Apr 2009 at 11,400 miles Cedar Hill, TX

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

APRIL NOV 2004, I PURCHASED A 2001 C240 MERCEDES FROM PRINCETON MERCEDES IN NEW JERSEY. ONE MONTH AFTER DRIVING THE CAR SLOWED DOWN AS IF IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATED. I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK IN FOR REPAIR. THEY TOLD THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. HOWEVER 4/19/08 I EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM OF DECELERATION WHILE DRIVING I WAS TOLD THIS TIME THAT IT WAS TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING AND I BELIEVED THAT THIS WAS THE PROBLEM 4 YEARS AGO; HOWEVER THEY DID NOT WAS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I WANT TO KNOW WAS THERE A RECALL FOR THIS SPECIFIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT ON THESE TYPES OF CARS. I HAVE BEEN IN SEVERAL CHAT ROOMS AND THERE ARE VARIOUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. THE CAR WILL STOP IN TRAFFIC OR ON THE FREEWAY WITHOUT NOTICE. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO A GAS STATION: HOWEVER WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THERE WAS MAJOR TRAFFIC BUMPER TO BUMPER. I WANT THIS PROBLEM RESEARCHED. I BELIEVED THAT MERCEDES KNEW ABOUT A FLAW WITH THIS TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT.

NHTSA complaint #10266184 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 15 Apr 2009 at 72,193 miles Solon, OH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ C240. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A CRANKSHAFT CENTER AND THERMOSTAT ISSUE. THE CRANKSHAFT CENTER CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT AND IT WOULD NOT START UNTIL THE ENGINE COOLED OFF. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST $700. A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED, WHICH SHOWED THAT ADDITIONAL REPAIRS WOULD ALSO BE NEEDED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARRANTY; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,193.

NHTSA complaint #10265511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 14 Jan 2008 at 115,000 miles Grasonville, MD

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

STALLING IN TRAFFIC CAUSED BY FAILURE OF CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR.

NHTSA complaint #10214727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 16 May 2007 at 75,000 miles Tumwater, WA

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM FAILED IN THE C-240, 2006. I CALLED FOR AN APPOINTMENT FOR DIAGNOSIS, AND WAS GIVEN A DATE THAT PUT THE CAR JUST OUT OF EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE. I DISCOVERED THIS AFTER THE FACT. I HAD ASSUMED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER JUST NEEDED CHARGING AGAIN, AND WOULD NOT BE COVERED. IF I HAD ANY IDEA THAT IT WAS GOING TO BE A $3,000.00 FOR REPAIRS. I WOULD HAVE RUSHED BACK IN DECEMBER 2005 WHEN THE PROBLEM STARTED WITH FOGGED WINDOWS.

NHTSA complaint #10190948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 30 May 2006 Miramar, FL

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2001 C240 CEILING FABRIC SAGS. *TS THE FABRIC IN THE CONSUEMR'S DAUGHTER IN LAWS 2002 C240 ALSO SAGS ANS IS ONLY BEING HELP UP BY THE INTERIOR LIGHT***NAR***

NHTSA complaint #10158412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 29 Dec 2004 at 10,168 miles Flemington, NJ

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH 2001 MERCEDES C240. *MR THE KEYLESS ENTRY REMOTE FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE WINDSHIELD WASHER AIMED TOO HIGH. THE FM RADIO RECEPTION WAS POOR. THE CLUTCH WAS RUBBING. THE SRS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH.

NHTSA complaint #10073800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 29 Dec 2004 at 10,168 miles Flemington, NJ

AIR BAGS

NHTSA complaint #10073800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 29 Dec 2004 at 10,168 miles Flemington, NJ

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

NHTSA complaint #10073800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 29 Dec 2004 at 10,168 miles Flemington, NJ

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

NHTSA complaint #10073800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 22 Apr 2004 at 17,700 miles Toluca Lake, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

AFTER LEAVING MY 2001 CLK320 MERCEDES AT THE DEALERSHIP I WAS NOTIFIED THAT MY BRAKE SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE REQUIRING PADS/ROTORS AND OTHER RELATED ITEMS ALONG WITH THE FACT THAT EVERY 1000 MILES OR SO, A LIGHT BULB OR SOMETHING ELECTRICAL WILL FAIL AND I USUALLY FIND THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP AND GET THE PROBLEM FIXED. THE BRAKE SYSTEM (WHICH IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY) WAS THE LAST STRAW! WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A 50,000 DOLLAR AUTOMOBILE WITH ONLY A LITTLE OVER 17,000 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA complaint #10071027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 22 Apr 2004 at 17,700 miles Toluca Lake, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

NHTSA complaint #10071027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 29 Mar 2004 at 31,384 miles Stevenson Ranch, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

STEERING WHEEL LOOSE AND MAKING NOISE WHEN TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT, DEALER FOUND POWER STEERING PUMP LEAKING AND WAS REPLACED. NEXT DAY ENGINE LIGHT ON,ABS SYSTEM FAILS, ESP ELEC,STABILITY,PROGRAM FAILS, BAS BRAKE ASSIST SYSTEM FAILS, THE CAR DOES NOT CHANGE GEAR AND WOULD NOT PICK UP SPEED EVENTHOUGH I'M PRESSING HARD ON THE GAS PEDAL. DEALER ATTEMPTED FIXING THE PROBLEM 4X AND STILL THERE FOR THE 5TH TIME. EACH TIME THEY FIND DIFFERENT CAUSES LIKE CRACKED THRUST ARMS AND WAS REPLACED. THEN THEY SAID THERE'S AN OPEN CIRCUIT AT THE RIGHT SPEED CENSOR AND THEY REPLACED RIGHT REAR SPEED SENSOR.ANOTHER CAUSE FOUND CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR OPEN CIRCUIT.. IGNITION SYSTEM REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10064111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.