2001 Mercedes-Benz CL600 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2001 Mercedes-Benz CL600, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Suspension729.2%
- Electrical416.7%
- Engine312.5%
- Exterior lighting28.3%
- Visibility28.3%
- Body & structure28.3%
- Fuel system28.3%
- Interior & seats14.2%
- Airbags14.2%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
R HEADLIGHT TURN SIGNAL WILL NOT WORK (REST OF HEADLIGHT WORKS) RANDOMLY FLASH CHECK DIFFERENT LIGHTS AND ALL WORK. RANDOM ISSUES WITH FRONT WINDOWS. ABC LIGHT. CAR HAS LESS THAN 54,000 MILES ON IT. MERCEDES TOLD ME ALL RECALLS HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED FIXED AND I SHOULDN'T HAVE PURCHASED THE CAR IF I DIDN'T WANT TO SPEND THE MONEY TO FIX IT. NOW IT HAS THROWN THE V-BELT. I HAVE READ THE FORUMS ABOUT THE MANY ISSUES AND THERE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ANY ASSISTANCE OFFERED TO REMEDY THESE ISSUES. WHEN YOU SPEND A LOT OF MONEY ON A VEHICLE YOU WOULD THINK IT WOULD BE DEPENDABLE FOR A WHILE WITHOUT HAVING TO PUT THOUSANDS MORE INTO IT. I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT THE REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND UPKEEP. THIS IS A GREAT CAR MINUS THE MANY ISSUES.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ CL600. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FAILED TO WORK AND THE GAUGES INTERMITTENTLY SHORTED OUT. THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF FUEL DUE TO THE FUEL GAUGE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REFUEL THE VEHICLE. WHILE TRAVELING OVER UNLEVELED LAND OR A BUMPY ROAD, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FLICKERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC REPAIRED THE VEHICLE WITH A HOSE KIT; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT LEAK OCCURRING UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT HAD TO FILL THE HYDRAULIC FLUID AND PRESS A BUTTON TO RAISE THE CHASSIS AS AN INTERIM REPAIR FOR THE LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V228000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
R HEADLIGHT TURN SIGNAL WILL NOT WORK (REST OF HEADLIGHT WORKS) RANDOMLY FLASH CHECK DIFFERENT LIGHTS AND ALL WORK. RANDOM ISSUES WITH FRONT WINDOWS. ABC LIGHT. CAR HAS LESS THAN 54,000 MILES ON IT. MERCEDES TOLD ME ALL RECALLS HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED FIXED AND I SHOULDN'T HAVE PURCHASED THE CAR IF I DIDN'T WANT TO SPEND THE MONEY TO FIX IT. NOW IT HAS THROWN THE V-BELT. I HAVE READ THE FORUMS ABOUT THE MANY ISSUES AND THERE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ANY ASSISTANCE OFFERED TO REMEDY THESE ISSUES. WHEN YOU SPEND A LOT OF MONEY ON A VEHICLE YOU WOULD THINK IT WOULD BE DEPENDABLE FOR A WHILE WITHOUT HAVING TO PUT THOUSANDS MORE INTO IT. I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT THE REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND UPKEEP. THIS IS A GREAT CAR MINUS THE MANY ISSUES.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ CL600. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FAILED TO WORK AND THE GAUGES INTERMITTENTLY SHORTED OUT. THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF FUEL DUE TO THE FUEL GAUGE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REFUEL THE VEHICLE. WHILE TRAVELING OVER UNLEVELED LAND OR A BUMPY ROAD, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FLICKERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC REPAIRED THE VEHICLE WITH A HOSE KIT; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT LEAK OCCURRING UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT HAD TO FILL THE HYDRAULIC FLUID AND PRESS A BUTTON TO RAISE THE CHASSIS AS AN INTERIM REPAIR FOR THE LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V228000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
SMALL FIRE STARTED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WHEN GETTING OFF THE EXPRESSWAY AFTER TRAVELING ABOUT 12 MILES. STARTED TO SEE SMOKE WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT. SAW SMALL FLAMES WHEN I STOPPED TO LOOK FOR SOURCE OF SMOKE. RECENT REPAIRS MADE HEATER CORE REPLACED. ALSO WATER PUMP REPLACED. ALSO UPPER RADIATOR HOSE REPLACED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ CL600. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT ENGINE STARTUP, THE SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 25-30 MPH, THE ABC WARNING LIGHT AND BOTH TURNING SIGNALS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY.THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT BLACK SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE EXHAUST FOLLOWED BY A LOUD EXPLOSION. THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN WITH THE ELECTRONIC KEY-LESS REMOTE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR PANEL DETACHED WHEN THE DOOR WAS CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE MODULE FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 65,700. UPDATED 10/24/12 *CN UPDATED 11/9/2012 *JS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
R HEADLIGHT TURN SIGNAL WILL NOT WORK (REST OF HEADLIGHT WORKS) RANDOMLY FLASH CHECK DIFFERENT LIGHTS AND ALL WORK. RANDOM ISSUES WITH FRONT WINDOWS. ABC LIGHT. CAR HAS LESS THAN 54,000 MILES ON IT. MERCEDES TOLD ME ALL RECALLS HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED FIXED AND I SHOULDN'T HAVE PURCHASED THE CAR IF I DIDN'T WANT TO SPEND THE MONEY TO FIX IT. NOW IT HAS THROWN THE V-BELT. I HAVE READ THE FORUMS ABOUT THE MANY ISSUES AND THERE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ANY ASSISTANCE OFFERED TO REMEDY THESE ISSUES. WHEN YOU SPEND A LOT OF MONEY ON A VEHICLE YOU WOULD THINK IT WOULD BE DEPENDABLE FOR A WHILE WITHOUT HAVING TO PUT THOUSANDS MORE INTO IT. I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT THE REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND UPKEEP. THIS IS A GREAT CAR MINUS THE MANY ISSUES.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ CL600. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT ENGINE STARTUP, THE SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 25-30 MPH, THE ABC WARNING LIGHT AND BOTH TURNING SIGNALS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY.THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT BLACK SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE EXHAUST FOLLOWED BY A LOUD EXPLOSION. THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN WITH THE ELECTRONIC KEY-LESS REMOTE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR PANEL DETACHED WHEN THE DOOR WAS CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE MODULE FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 65,700. UPDATED 10/24/12 *CN UPDATED 11/9/2012 *JS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TWO PIECES OF ALL FOUR SIDE WINDOWS WERE SEPARATING. THE DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER CLAIMED THE PROBLEM WAS RELATED TO THE HOT CLIMATE IN FLORIDA. THE CONSUMER WANTED TO CHECK THE STATUS OF THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 06/14/07 *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS HAD BUBBLES IN THE GLASS. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE GLASS SECTIONS WERE SEPARATING DUE TO THE HEAT. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ CL600. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT ENGINE STARTUP, THE SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 25-30 MPH, THE ABC WARNING LIGHT AND BOTH TURNING SIGNALS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY.THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT BLACK SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE EXHAUST FOLLOWED BY A LOUD EXPLOSION. THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN WITH THE ELECTRONIC KEY-LESS REMOTE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR PANEL DETACHED WHEN THE DOOR WAS CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE MODULE FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 65,700. UPDATED 10/24/12 *CN UPDATED 11/9/2012 *JS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TWO PIECES OF ALL FOUR SIDE WINDOWS WERE SEPARATING. THE DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER CLAIMED THE PROBLEM WAS RELATED TO THE HOT CLIMATE IN FLORIDA. THE CONSUMER WANTED TO CHECK THE STATUS OF THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 06/14/07 *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ CL600. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FAILED TO WORK AND THE GAUGES INTERMITTENTLY SHORTED OUT. THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF FUEL DUE TO THE FUEL GAUGE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REFUEL THE VEHICLE. WHILE TRAVELING OVER UNLEVELED LAND OR A BUMPY ROAD, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FLICKERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC REPAIRED THE VEHICLE WITH A HOSE KIT; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT LEAK OCCURRING UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT HAD TO FILL THE HYDRAULIC FLUID AND PRESS A BUTTON TO RAISE THE CHASSIS AS AN INTERIM REPAIR FOR THE LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V228000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ CL600. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FLAMES APPEARED FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE POWER BOOSTER LINE, EVAPORATION HOSE, AND HYDRAULIC HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V252000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE AND STRUCTURE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,641.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ CL600. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT ENGINE STARTUP, THE SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 25-30 MPH, THE ABC WARNING LIGHT AND BOTH TURNING SIGNALS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY.THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT BLACK SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE EXHAUST FOLLOWED BY A LOUD EXPLOSION. THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN WITH THE ELECTRONIC KEY-LESS REMOTE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR PANEL DETACHED WHEN THE DOOR WAS CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE MODULE FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 65,700. UPDATED 10/24/12 *CN UPDATED 11/9/2012 *JS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ CL600. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT ENGINE STARTUP, THE SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 25-30 MPH, THE ABC WARNING LIGHT AND BOTH TURNING SIGNALS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY.THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT BLACK SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE EXHAUST FOLLOWED BY A LOUD EXPLOSION. THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN WITH THE ELECTRONIC KEY-LESS REMOTE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR PANEL DETACHED WHEN THE DOOR WAS CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE MODULE FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 65,700. UPDATED 10/24/12 *CN UPDATED 11/9/2012 *JS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .