2001 Mercedes Benz CL CLASS: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
4 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
66,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 4 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 50.0% |
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 | 1 |
| Interior Lighting | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
| Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems | 1 |
Electrical System: 1; Interior Lighting: 1; Suspension: 1; Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems: 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 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 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: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 0 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 |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
2006: 3; 2007: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 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 10167695 · 2006-09-08 (September 8, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WENT OUT AND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAD MALFUNCTIONED. THIS INCIDENT CAUSED THE BATTERY TO DRAIN. THERE WAS AN NHTSA RECALL, # 06V028000, REGARDING THE INTERIOR LIGHTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK UPDATED 9/22/2006 - *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10167695 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10168193 · 2006-09-13 (September 13, 2006)
I HAVE A 2001 MERCEDES CL 500 THAT I PAID 90K FOR AND HAS LESS THAN 40 K MILES. THE LIGHTS WENT OUT AND I COULD SMELL ELECTRICAL SMOKE. EVERY TIME I TURN ON THE IGNITION, I SMELL BURNING. I NOTICED ON AN INTERNET SEARCH THAT THERE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT HAS NOT BEEN FINALIZED, I KNOW THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS BURNING UP ON THESE VEHICLES AS MY PARTNER'S CAR ( ALSO A MERCEDES) HAD HIS DO THE SAME THING. I REQUEST THAT YOU TAKE ACTION ON THIS MATTER AS I DON'T FEEL I…
Owner-reported narrative. 38,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10168193 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10175841 · 2006-12-11 (December 11, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM FAILED TO MONITOR THE ADEQUATE TIRE PRESSURE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM FAILED, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO ALERTED. UPDATED 01/10/07. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10175841 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10192354 · 2007-06-04 (June 4, 2007)
THERE IS SUPPOSE TO BE A RECALL ON THE ABC ACTIVE BODY CONTROL ON THE MERCEDES BENZ CL CLASS FROM 2001 TO 2004. MY CAR HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM AND JUST FOUND OUT IT WAS A RECALL BY FORUM YESTERDAY, BUT IT DOES NOT SAY THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS ON YOUR SITE OR ANY OTHER RECALL SITE. IF YOU COULD POST THIS RECALL TO THE LIST THAT WOULD BE GREAT. THANK YOU *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 67,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10192354 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
01V014000 · Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
Reported: 2001-01-17 (January 17, 2001)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SHEATHING MATERIAL ON THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION OF THE HEATED WINDSHIELD WASHER BOTTLE HOSE COULD OVERHEAT.
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE SURROUNDING PLASTIC AND INSULATION TO MELT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEATED WASHER BOTTLE HOSE ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 29, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
NHTSA campaign record ↗04V227000 · Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers
Reported: 2004-05-13 (May 13, 2004)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DURING THE PRODUCTION PROCESS OF THE BLOWER MOTOR FUSE HOLDER, THE SIZE OF THE ELECTRIC CONDUCTOR OF THE HOLDER MAY BE BELOW APPROPRIATE TOLERANCES.
Consequence: CONSEQUENTLY, THE ELECTRIC CONDUCTOR OF THE BLOWER MOTOR FUSE HOLDER MAY DISSIPATE MORE HEAT THAN THE PLASTIC FUSE HOLDER WAS DESIGNED TO WITHSTAND, WHICH COULD RESULT IN OVERHEATING OF THE HOLDER AND DISABLING OF THE BLOWER MOTOR AND THE ABILITY TO DEFROST OR DEFOG THE WINDSHILED IN COLD OR HOT AND HUMID WEATHER CONDITIONS. DEPENDING ON THE OCCURRENCE AND WEATHER SITUATION, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW BLOWER MOTOR FUSE HOLDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING OCTOBER 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
NHTSA campaign record ↗06V028000 · Interior Lighting
Reported: 2006-02-02 (February 2, 2006)
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CONTAINS GAUGES AND INDICATORS THAT MUST BE ILLUMINATED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION.
Consequence: DUE TO INADEQUATE ILLUMINATION, THE DRIVER WILL BE UNABLE TO READ THE GAUGES AND INDICATORS, SUCH AS THE SPEEDOMETER, WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MODULES. THE RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES. PHASE I WAS MAILED OUT TO APPROXIMATELY 7,500 OWNERS ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2006. PHASE II AND PHASE III IS SCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
NHTSA campaign record ↗07V263000 · Engine And Engine Cooling | Suspension
Reported: 2007-06-12 (June 12, 2007)
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, CORROSION MAY OCCUR IN THE INNER STEEL PORTIONS OF THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL'S (ABC) HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE DUE TO EXTENSIVE EXPOSURE TO HUMIDITY CAUSING DETERIORATION OF THE HOSE.
Consequence: THIS MAY RESULT IN ABC HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKAGE NEAR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. LEAKING FLUID MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS AND LEAD TO A POSSIBLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW CORROSION RESISTANT ABC HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 2, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
NHTSA campaign record ↗