RoadVitals

2001 Mercedes-Benz S600 Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints 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.
23
Latest Dec 4, 2018
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
61%
of 38 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2001 Mercedes-Benz S600 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 23 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming engine

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Engine
Filed Dec 4, 2018

ENGINE OIL COOLER UNDER INTAKE LEAKING OIL DEALERS WANT ALMOST 6000.00 TO REPAIR.

NHTSA ID
11156004
Incident
Jan 1, 2009
Mileage
78,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 13, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ S600. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A PROGRESSING OIL LEAK. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A PRESENCE OF A LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL COOLER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000. UPDATED 11/01/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED OIL LEAKED OUT ON TO THE MANIFOLD CAUSING HEAVY SMOKE. ALSO, THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE SUSPENSION CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SAG OR LEAN IN THE FRONT END AND REAR. *JS

NHTSA ID
10884660
Incident
Apr 11, 2016
Mileage
84,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 13, 2016

TAKATA INFLATORS MY CAR SEEMS TO BE LEAKING OIL. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP THEY TOLD ME IT WAS MY OIL COOLER, I WAS TOLD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE MERCEDES BENZ S 600 IN THAT IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS MATTER...WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR I NOTICED OIL LEAKS IN MY GARAGE SO AS I DROVE THE VEHICLE I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR I PULLED THE CAR OVER SHUT IT OFF AND CALLED THE TOW TRUCK...

NHTSA ID
10884648
Incident
Mar 12, 2015
Mileage
84,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 4, 2016

THESE S600 WITH V12 ENGINES FROM 2000-2005 HAVE SEVERE ENGINE OIL COOLER LEAKS. SOME WITH AS LITTLE AS 30,000 MILES. THESE VEHICLES SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED YEARS AGO NOW MERCEDES WANTS TO CHARGE FROM 5,OOO TO 6,000 TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM AND DONT WANT TO WARRANT AFTER FIX BECAUSE ITS A RECURRING PROBLEM BECAUSE OF POOR ENGINEERING. THEIR SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
10838369
Incident
Aug 1, 2015
Mileage
80,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 4, 2016

OIL COOLER SEALS FAIL APPROXIMATELY EVERY 50 TO 60,000 MILES & IN ORDER TO CHANGE THEM YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE HEADS OFF THE ENGINE.THIS JOB COST ANYWHERE FROM $3,400 TO $6,000 DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU GO. FIRST & FOREMOST THE OIL LEAK BECOMES BAD VERY QUICKLY & SPILLS DOWN THE MANIFOLD, WHILE DRIVING COULD CAUSE A FIRE & EVEN WORST DEATH.

NHTSA ID
10824354
Incident
Jan 15, 2016
Mileage
70,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 4, 2016

ENGINE OIL COOLER LEAKS. THIS LOOKS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL WITH V12 ENGINE.THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED BECAUSE OF THIS VERY EXPENSIVE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
10824310
Incident
Oct 1, 2015
Mileage
80,015 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 4, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ S600. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LEAKED OIL INTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

NHTSA ID
10824246
Incident
Oct 1, 2015
Mileage
54,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 15, 2011

2001 MERCEDES BENZ S600 OIL COOLER LEAK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10395988
Incident
Jan 1, 2008
Mileage
60,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 15, 2010

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S600 OIL COOLER, LEAKING SUDDENLY, 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 2 DAYS (25 TO 50 MILES.) VERY STRONG SMELL OF BURNED OIL UPON EXITING CAR. NORMAL DRIVING. NO REASON FOR LEAKAGE, NO ACCIDENTS, SERVICED REGULARLY AND ON TIME. CONCERNED ABOUT OIL HITTING THE EXHAUST, RESULTING IN A FIRE. A FRIEND HAD HIS MERCEDES CATCH ON FIRE, ON THE FREEWAY, BECAUSE OF THE SAME PROBLEM, TOTAL LOSS OF CAR, BUT DRIVER WAS ABLE TO ESCAPE. MERCEDES ESTIMATES REPAIRS TO BE BETWEEN $8,000 & $10,000.....TO FIX AN OIL LEAK !!!!! TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT MERCEDES REPAIR SHOP, WAS TOLD THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE S600'S, AN ENGINEERING DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE MORE THAN SUFFICIENT TO GENERATE A RECALL. (SAID, UNFORTUNATELY, REPAIR SHOPS LOVE IT, $10,000 JOBS ARE FEW & FAR BETWEEN.) UPON CHECKING ON VARIOUS WEB SITES AND 'GOOGLING" THE PROBLEM, I SEE THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT. OTHERS HAVE MENTIONED FILING A COMPLAINT WITH YOU, YET I DO NOT SEE ANY REFERENCES TO THEM ON YOUR SITE. WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR COMPLAINTS TO BE ABLE TO GENERATE RECALLS? PLEASE RESPOND TO MY COMPLAINT , I WANT TO BE SURE THAT IT HAS BEEN RECEIVED AND READ. [XXX] *TR

NHTSA ID
10299820
Incident
Oct 25, 2009
Mileage
69,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 12, 2009

MY OIL COOLER HAS BEEN LEAKING SINCE 41,000 MILES AND I HAVE READ OTHER MERCEDES BENZ S600 OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. TO FIX THIS PROBLEM I WOULD HAVE TO PAY A SHOP 4K DOLLARS. IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS CAR I THINK MERCEDES BENZ SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE AND FIX THE PROBLEM. I LEAK UP TO A QUART OF OIL EVERY 2 WEEKS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10291912
Incident
Nov 11, 2009
Mileage
44,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 5, 2009

I HAVE A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S600. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 76,000 MILES. THE ENGINE OIL COOLER IS LEAKING, AND THIS CAN CAUSE A FIRE. THERE IS A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. IT SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURE DEFAULT. THE LEAKING OIL CAN RUN ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND CAUSE A SERIOUS FIRE. MBA SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10291127
Incident
Nov 5, 2009
Mileage
65,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 18, 2009

2001 MERCEDES BENZ S600 OIL COOLER LEAKING 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 500 MILES. THE CAR IS DRIVEN NORMALLY TO WORK AND VACATION TRIPS. NOTHING SPECIAL LEADING UP TO THE OCCURRENCE. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT. I AM AFRAID THAT WITH THE AMOUNT OF OIL THAT LEAKS AND HOW IT RUNS DOWN THE BELL HOUSING AND HITS THE EXHAUST, THAT A FIRE IS POSSIBLE. WITH THE WINDAGE TRAY THAT IS MOUNTED UNDER THE TRANSMISSION, IT CAUSES IT TO POOL THE OIL AND LEAKS ON THE EXHAUST WHEN IT IS DRIVEN. THE OIL COOLER IS MOUNTED UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND REQUIRES THE HEADS TO BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE. THIS ISSUE OCCURS APPROX EVERY 40K-60K MILES. A SIMPLE REPLACEMENT DOES NOT RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. THERE IS AN ENGINEERING DEFECT HERE THAT MBUSA IS NOT WILLING TO RESOLVE WITH THE CUSTOMER OR A CHANGE IN DESIGN FOR RESOLUTION. I HAVE CALLED MBUSA (1-800-367-6372, 4,5) AND NO ONE SEEMS TO CARE BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I TOOK IT TO MB IN NW ARKANSAS AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE SAME ISSUE AND ESTIMATED A REPAIR COST OF $7800 AND 2 WEEKS. I AM AWAITING SOME ATTENTION FORM NHTSA OR MBUSA BEFORE REPAIRS. I WOULD BE WILLING FOR NHTSA TO INSPECT CAR BEFORE AND DURING THE REPAIRS TO PUSH FOR A RECALL. THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS ON THE NET. PLEASE CHECK HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2001/MERCEDES+BENZ/S-600. *TR

NHTSA ID
10284537
Incident
Sep 17, 2009
Mileage
50,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 27, 2009

THERE IS A LEAK IN THE OIL COOLER (ENGINE COOLING) OF MY 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S600. THE CAR HAS 79K MILES ON IT. IT STARTED DRIPPING OIL LATE LAST YEAR AT ABOUT 69K MILES AND IS NOW POURING OUT OIL PROFUSELY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON WITH THIS CAR BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR IT. TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM WILL COST AT LEAST 6K. THE CAR IS TOTALLY A LEMON AND I CANNOT DRIVE IT AS I AM TOLD THE OIL LEAK CAN DAMAGE THE ENGINE COMPLETELY OR CAUSE A FIRE. I AM CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF MY WIFE AND CHILDREN. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE ONLINE AND WAS SHOCKED TO SEE THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS OIL LEAK PROBLEM. BELOW IS A LINK TO JUST ONE OF THE WEBSITES WHERE I FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. CAN SOMEONE HELP? MERCEDES BENZ NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS ISSUE. THIS CAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM. HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2001/MERCEDES+BENZ/S-600. *TR

NHTSA ID
10281930
Incident
Aug 1, 2009
Mileage
69,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 17, 2009

2001 MERCEDES BENZ S600 WITH 50,000 MILES ON IT. ENGINE OIL COOLER LEAKING SINCE 40K MILES, NOW IT IS LEAKING PROFUSELY, MERCEDES BENZ WANTS $4000 TO FIX PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10258893
Incident
Dec 28, 2008
Mileage
42,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 6, 2009

OIL LEAK FROM THE OIL COOLER COLLECTOR AT THE BACK OF THE ENGINE. THE OIL RUNS DOWN THE EXHAUST PIPE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10257714
Incident
Nov 1, 2008
Engine
Filed Jan 18, 2009

THE MERCEDES S600 MY2001 HAS A TERRIBLE OIL LEAK CAUSED BY THE OIL COOLER. IF NOT WATCHED CAREFULLY THE OIL WILL LEAK COMPLETELY OUT OF THE ENGINE VERY FAST. I'VE HEARD FROM MANY PEOPLE THAT THEY HAVE THIS SAME EXACT PROBLEM. IT'S BEEN QUOTED AROUND $5K TO FIX. A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10255513
Incident
Nov 18, 2008
Engine
Filed Nov 5, 2008

I HAVE AN OIL LEAK WHICH MY MECHANICS TELLS ME IS THE OIL COOLER AND TO REPAIR IS ESTIMATE TO COST $5000.00. I HEAR FROM OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE WITH SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10247779
Incident
Oct 29, 2008
EngineSuspension
Filed Aug 24, 2008

THE MERCEDES BENZ DEALER INFORMED ME THAT I HAD AN OIL COOLER AND ABC HOSE LEAK ON MY 2001 S600. THE COST TO REPAIR IS UNBELIEVABLE. ABOUT $7,500. IN READING THE MBZ FORUM THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITHOUT ANY HELP FROM MBZ. THE FAILURE FOR THE OIL COOLER LEAK CAN LEAD TO A FIRE, AND THE ABC HOSE LEAK CAN LEAD TO MALFUNCTION OF THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL SYSTEM CAUSING THE CAR TO DRASTICALLY LOWER AT THE EFFECTED WHEEL. THE FREQUENCY OF THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE COVERED BY A MANUFACTURER RECALL. THIS IS A DEATH HAZARD TO ME AND MY FAMILY. I AM NOT DRIVING THE CAR AT THIS TIME DUE TO THE COST TO REPAIR AND THE PROBLEM OF INJURY OR DEATH. *TR

NHTSA ID
10239498
Incident
Aug 4, 2008
Mileage
76,568 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 20, 2008

CAR ONLY HAS 64K MILES AND HAS A BAD OIL LEAK. MY GUESS IS THE OIL COOLER. FOR THE PRICE OF THIS CAR I SHOULD NOT HAVE A PUDDLE OF OIL ON MY GARAGE FLOOR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10239112
Incident
Jul 25, 2008
Mileage
63,700 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 17, 2008

2001 MERCEDES BENZ, 40,000 MILES, PROFUSE OIL LEAK FROM OIL COOLER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10234627
Incident
Jan 1, 2008
Mileage
35,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 31, 2008

THE CAR STARTED SMELLING OF BURNING OIL. IT GOT WORSE AND WORSE TO WHERE ONE COULD SEE THE BURNING OIL AT STOP LIGHTS. THE OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE OIL COOLER AT THE BACK OF THE ENGINE AND DRIPPING ON TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND BURNING THERE. IT WAS LEAKING APPROXIMATELY 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 250 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10229415
Incident
Aug 24, 2006
Mileage
54,000 mi
EngineSuspension
Filed Apr 9, 2008

MERCEDES 2001 S600, MANUFACTURE 02/01. OIL COOLER LEAKS, ABC CONTROL FAILURE. THIS PROBLEM IS IN RECALL BUT MERCEDES SAID MY VIN IS EXCLUDED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10223783
Incident
Mar 10, 2008
Engine
Filed May 7, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S-600. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAULTY SEAL WAS ALLOWING OIL TO ENTER THE WIRING OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT. THE DEALER ALSO FOUND AN OIL LEAK ON TOP OF THE ENGINE CAUSED BY THE OIL COOLER. THIS FAILURE CAUSED OIL TO LEAK INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 57,000.

NHTSA ID
10189989
Incident
May 6, 2007
Mileage
57,000 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .