2001 Mercedes Benz E CLASS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
15 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
69,300 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 15 complaints (13.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 40.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 13.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 6.7% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 6.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Interior Lighting | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 1 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 1 |
Electrical System: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Interior Lighting: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module: 1; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 9 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
2002: 1; 2003: 3; 2004: 2; 2005: 1; 2006: 2; 2007: 3; 2008: 2; 2009: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10073329 · 2004-05-07 (May 7, 2004)
VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH 2001 MERCEDES BENZ E320 SR. (NAR) *MR THE RADIO DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE TELEPHONE DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP) DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE BRAKE ASSIST SYSTEM (BAS) DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE TURN SIGNALS DO NOT WORK. THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT FUNCTION ON MOST OCCASIONS. *NM *CB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10073329 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10095449 · 2004-10-07 (October 7, 2004)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10095449 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10190965 · 2007-05-16 (May 16, 2007)
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 FAILU…
Owner-reported narrative. 69,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10190965 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10207882 · 2007-11-04 (November 4, 2007)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. 69,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10207882 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10051799 · 2003-12-18 (December 18, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10051799 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10157340 · 2006-05-04 (May 4, 2006)
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 CONT…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10157340 at NHTSA ↗