2001 Mercedes Benz 240: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
22 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
48,541 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 22 complaints (13.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 4 | 18.2% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 13.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 13.6% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 13.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 4.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Structure | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 1 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 |
Structure: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Electrical System: 2; Suspension: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Air Bags:Side/Window: 1; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 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 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 11 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 |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
2001: 3; 2002: 6; 2003: 1; 2004: 3; 2005: 2; 2006: 2; 2008: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 1
Pattern summary
Structure leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000990 · 2003-01-13 (January 13, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING WITH MY WIFE AS PASSENGER THE STEERING FROZE. UNABLE TO TURN WHEEL. VEHICLE PUSHED TO SAFETY OFF ROAD WITH A LOT OF EFFORT TO STEER. VEHICLE REMAINS AT DEALER # 2 IN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK. MILEAGE WAS OVER 30, 000 AT TIME OF FAILURE ON 11/11/02.
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000990 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10054420 · 2004-01-18 (January 18, 2004)
ENGINE SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING WHEN ACCELERATING. 3 OCCURRENCES IN 10 MONTHS. LOSES ALL POWER AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON. ALMOST REAR-ENDED. DEALERSHIP SAID IT INSTALLED MISMATCHED SPARK PLUGS BUT APPEARS TO BE FALSE. *CB
Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10054420 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10059417 · 2004-02-19 (February 19, 2004)
ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP) FAILED TO ENGAGE, WHICH AFFECTED VEHICLE'S ACCELERATION. DEALER SUGGESTED TO PLACE TWO 50 POUND BAGS DUE TO SNOW TIRES WAS THE CAUSE, BUT DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. (NAR) *LA *CB
Owner-reported narrative. 160 miles reported. Look up ODI 10059417 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10074074 · 2004-07-07 (July 7, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE ODOMETER. THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE DISPLAY. (CLOCK) THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED TO GET HER WINDOWS TINTED. *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10074074 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10133644 · 2005-08-20 (August 20, 2005)
AIR MASS SENSOR & CAM POSITION SENSOR, AUTO HAS 65,000 MILES. INVESTIGATE IF MANUFACTURER DEFECT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10133644 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10141839 · 2005-11-05 (November 5, 2005)
I HAVE A 2001 C-240 MERCEDES BENZ, THE LEFT TAIL LIGHT KEEP BLOWING AND I GET A MESSAGE THAT I'M USING THE SUBSTITUTE LIGHT, I TOOK IT THE REPAIR SHOP (MERCEDES BENZ) AND THEY CHANGED THE BULB, NOW THE PROBLEM IS HAPPENING AGAIN IN LESS THAN A YEAR. THERE IS A SHORTEST SOMEWHERE AND IT ALSO CAUSES THE CAR NOT TO START ONLY AFTER A DAY OF SITTING, I HAVE TO JUMP IT TO GET IT TO START. I CALLED ROADSIDE SERVICE THE CHECKED THE BATTERY AND SAID SOMETHING IS DRAINING THE BATTERY, BUT WHEN I TAKE IT IN THE REPAIR SHOP CAN'T FIND ANYTHING. A COUP…
Owner-reported narrative. 27,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10141839 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10148626 · 2006-01-04 (January 4, 2006)
2001 MERCEDES BENZ LEAKED WATER UNDER DRIVER SEAT AND BACK SEAT, ENGINE MADE A CLICKING NOISE, COMPUTER MALFUNCTIONED. *TS THE HEADLIGHTS NEVER LASTED MORE THAN 2-3 MONTHS. WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS A HUGE EXPLOSION UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER. WHILE WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK, THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED A HUGE OIL LEAK UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. HE OPENED THE HOOD, AND A SMELL OF ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE EMITTED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE ENGINE RODS HAD FAILED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 6,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10148626 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10164152 · 2006-08-02 (August 2, 2006)
AT SEVERAL POINTS DURING A ROAD TRIP THIS PAST WEEKEND, MY 2001 MERCEDES C240 SUDDENLY DIED WHILE CRUISING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR IN THE MONTHS LEADING UP TO THIS INCIDENCE. HOWEVER, SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING IT, THE SAME THING HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE DEALER CHECKED THE CAR AT THAT TIME BUT NEVER TOOK ANY CORRECTIVE ACTION. IN THE LATEST INCIDENCES THIS PAST WEEK THE STALLING PUT ME IN IMMEDIATE DANGER OF BEING HIT BECAUSE THEY HAPPENED ON A MOUNTAIN ROA…
Owner-reported narrative. 54,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10164152 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.