2001 Mercedes Benz E Class
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Mercedes Benz › E Class › 2001
These records cover every 2001 Mercedes Benz E Class. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
15 complaints1 involved a crash
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system · Electronic stability control (esc) · Service brakes, hydraulic · Traction 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
- Tires › 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…
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
- Tires
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
- Unknown 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…
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 mph. *jb
- Power 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…
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.
- Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel · Unknown 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
- Interior 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
- Electrical system · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor · Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner · Exterior lighting › Headlights · Service brakes, hydraulic · Steering · Suspension › 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…
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.
- Visibility › 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
- Service 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
- Electronic stability control › Automatic (asc) · Equipment · Exterior lighting › Turn signal › Switch · Interior lighting · Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
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
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
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
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Equipment › Electrical · Fuel system, gasoline · Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
Intermittently while driving, the engine completely died. the dealer has been unable to duplicate the issue. the vehicle IS a 2001 mercedes E320. *ak the engine would shut off intermittently. after about 5 minutes the vehicle would restart. the consumer took the vehicle in several times for…
Intermittently while driving, the engine completely died. the dealer has been unable to duplicate the issue. the vehicle IS a 2001 mercedes E320. *ak the engine would shut off intermittently. after about 5 minutes the vehicle would restart. the consumer took the vehicle in several times for repair but the problem could not be found. the washer tube came off and caused washer fluid to leak. the fuel gauge failed which caused it to read incorrectly. the head rest motor failed. *scc *nlm
- Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module
The air bags on the front passenger and rear right passenger side deployed although there was no impact. the manufacturer stated that something probably hit the bottom of the vehicle where the sensors are located and caused the air bags to deploy. *nlm
- Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
Consumer states the brake and accelerator are designed too close together, while attempting to stop vehicle, consumer also pressed down on the accelerator which caused the vehicle to lunge foward and consumer crashed into a building, the dealer checked the vehicle and stated the pedal positions and travel were within specifications.(mercedes E320 2001)*jb
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- 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…
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 cost of replacing the contaminated electronic selector module.similarly, in petitioner?s case she was able to operate the vehicle to a place where it could be safety stopped after the liquid spillage.the petitioner has not provided any evidence of a safety-related defect.in view of the foregoing and the need to allocate and prioritize nhtsa's limited resources to best accomplish the agency's safety mission, the petition IS denied.
- Sudden engine shut down
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10136029SENTEX gate operator with Clik Card Remote not compatible with Homelink
- 10015377Revised repair procedure and additional applicable models. Model 170, 202, 208 and 210 models. Front fog lamp(s) inoperative. Mercedes-benz. Model years: 1994-2004. Updated 09/09/08.
- 10015071Trunk lid opens or closes too quickly while operating with remote trunk lid control button.
- 10010822Consumer shutoff displayed in instrument cluster while driving.
- 10007612Air mass sensors.
- 621570On some vehicles, upon release of the brake pedal and / or application of the accelerator pedal, there IS a 1-2 second delay until the actuator moves to the new accelerator pedal input position. This delay IS integrated in the engine management system as a safety feature and IS not subject to modification in the field.
Every Mercedes Benz E Class model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.