RoadVitals

2001 Mercedes-Benz C Class

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
14
Latest Nov 20, 2010
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
0
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 14 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz C Class, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and exterior lighting categories. 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 8 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical523.8%
  • Engine314.3%
  • Exterior lighting29.5%
  • Transmission29.5%
  • Visibility29.5%
  • Other / unspecified14.8%
  • Suspension14.8%
  • Interior & seats14.8%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

DP05007ClosedDefect Petition

TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION

Opened Nov 7, 2005
Closed Mar 27, 2006

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.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
SQ01010ClosedInvestigation

SUDDEN ENGINE SHUT DOWN

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

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Electrical
Filed Nov 20, 2010

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10366976
Incident
Oct 10, 2010
Mileage
93,100 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 7, 2010

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10341913
Incident
Jul 7, 2010
Mileage
1,284,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 28, 2010

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.*CW

NHTSA ID
10303029
Incident
Jun 6, 2009
Mileage
100,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Apr 20, 2009

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10266184
Incident
Apr 19, 2009
Mileage
11,400 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 15, 2009

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 ID
10265511
Incident
Mar 12, 2009
Mileage
72,193 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 14, 2008

STALLING IN TRAFFIC CAUSED BY FAILURE OF CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10214727
Incident
Oct 1, 2007
Mileage
115,000 mi
Heating & air conditioning
Filed May 16, 2007

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.*AK

NHTSA ID
10190948
Incident
Aug 15, 2006
Mileage
75,000 mi
Filed May 23, 2006

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 ID
10158412
Incident
Jan 1, 1901

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

LI68.05-P-059193

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES

SENTEX gate operator with Clik Card Remote not compatible with Homelink

PB-61-10-07

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING; FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING

MERCEDES: REPLACING THE LONGITUDINAL MEMBER (LEFT AND RIGHT) BELOW THE MAIN FLOOR PANEL ON ALL MY 204 UP TO 12/31/07. (C300, C350, C300 4-MATIC, C63 AME). *PE

PB 42-45-98

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

MODEL 203 (C) SERIES FROM PRODUCTION 8/1/01 TO 2/1/03 AND MODEL 209 (CLK) SERIES UP TO PRODUCTION 2/1/03; ESP VISIT WORKSHOP WITH FAULT CODE C1185. *PE

076139

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

AIR MASS SENSORS. *MJ

PB8262165

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

SUBJECT REGARDING POPPING OR THUMPING IN THE SPEAKERS. *JG

50012

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ON 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. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mercedes-Benz C Class by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2023000
2012100
2008131251.4
2006920
2005520
2004151045.1
2003900
2002310033.1
2001Viewing140233.2
2000803
1999712
1998612
1997300
1996610
1995490041.4
1994150046.1
1991100

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.