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2001 Mercedes-Benz S600Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 38 owner complaints about the 2001 Mercedes-Benz S600, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints380 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage60kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 4, 2018. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2001 Mercedes-Benz S600 has problems

38 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling170
Suspension100
Engine60
Electrical system50
Interior lighting30
Service brakes, hydraulic20

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

2001 Mercedes-Benz S600 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mercedes-Benz.

Best & worst years

2001 vs. every other S600 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the S600 median. How we score

'95'97'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'11'12'15'16'17
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2001 Mercedes-Benz S600, and the recalls they led to.

  1. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILUREPE05062 · closed Feb 8, 2006
    Led to recall 06V-028
In owners' words

What S600 owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 10838369 · Feb 4, 2016 · 80,000 miles
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,…
Complaint 10299820 · Jan 15, 2010 · 69,000 miles
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.…
Complaint 10291912 · Nov 12, 2009 · 44,000 miles

Own a 2001 S600?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.