AI Damage2001 Mercedes-Benz C240: common problems
Owners of the 2001 Mercedes-Benz C240 filed 8 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electronic stability control and engine. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 8
What fails most often
- 1 Electronic stability control 25% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 25% of all complaints
- 3 Visibility 25% of all complaints
- 4 Air bags 13% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 13% of all complaints
- 6 Exterior lighting 13% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 13% of all complaints
- 8 Suspension 13% of all complaints
- Electronic stability control: 2 complaints (25% of all).
- Engine: 2 complaints (25% of all).
- Visibility: 2 complaints (25% of all).
- Air bags: 1 complaints (13% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (13% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 8 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electronic stability control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
As a result, the contact had to remotely open and close the sliding sunroof repeatedly until properly closed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the vehicle was denied the recall repair however, the contact stated that the vehicle had not been inspected.
The panoramic sunroof on my 2001 mercedes benz c240 shattered or exploded while I was driving at a highway speed of 55 mph. It sounded like a gunshot and the glass was shattered over the passenger and rear seats. No one was sitting in those seats fortunately.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 mercedes-benz c240. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 19v918000 (visibility) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.
My 2001 mercedes-benz c240 engine cooling or suction fan runs constantly at high speed nonstop at startup until vehicle is turned off. Vehicle was inspected by dealer who diagnosed that the electronic control unit / module (ecu / ecm) or cooling / suction fan was bad and needed replacement.
In december 2017, I was driving along a city street when the driver's front airbag suddenly deployed. My car was well-maintained, with mileage of 28,520. It appears the suspension (lower ball joint) on the right side failed, causing the right front tire to blow out and causing damage to the left front tire as well.
Esp light, instrument cluster fading, acceleration sensor and multiple leaks in the engine, power steering, axel seal, spark plugs valve leaks, oil leaks, trans bell. The car was brought in for an esp light that turns on once the car is in motion, a burning smell that comes through the car.
Normal driving conditions, then vehicle automatically slams on brakes (sometimes all 4 wheels, sometimes only 1 wheel--which causes vehicle to yaw). At first, this problem would only occur after driving for about 40 minutes. Now it can happen up to 3 minutes after starting vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 mercedes benz c 240. The contact stated while driving 5 mph, the brake lights illuminated and excessive force was required in order to accelerate. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 11,896 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 32% most complained about).
On average one model year of the C240 has 15 complaints (6 years in the data). This year has 8, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electronic stability control. ABS/ESC sensors, steering angle, codes after suspension repair.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Mercedes-Benz C240?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electronic stability control, engine, visibility. Total complaints: 8. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: windows, sunroof (38%), oil leak or consumption (13%), smoke, burning smell, fire (13%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz C240?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2001 Mercedes-Benz C240 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2001 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.