AI Damage2001 Mercedes-Benz E Class: common problems
Owners of the 2001 Mercedes-Benz E Class filed 15 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 15
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 27% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 20% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 20% of all complaints
- 4 Equipment 20% of all complaints
- 5 Electronic stability control 13% of all complaints
- 6 Exterior lighting 13% of all complaints
- 7 Tires 13% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 13% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 4 complaints (27% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (20% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 3 complaints (20% of all).
- Equipment: 3 complaints (20% of all).
- Electronic stability control: 2 complaints (13% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.2 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 4.3 L · petrol · 8 cyl
- 5.4 L · petrol · 8 cyl
- automatic, 5-speed
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 15 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 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.
While applying the brake pedal vehicle failed to stop. This caused consumer's vehicle to collide with the vehicle in front. No one was injured, and the vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic could not duplicate the problem.
Tl contact owns a 2001 mercedes benz e-320. While changing the tire to the spare, the contact did not use the special spare nuts. When she attempted to enter onto the highway, the mounts in the wheel locked and caused the brakes to engage.
During scheduled tire rotation at sears auto shop, it was discovered that a large piece (approximately 1 inch in diameter) of the tire was missing. The missing piece was from the part of the tire that makes contact with the street. The sears manager, informed me that the tire is unsafe to re-installed.
While driving 35mph, the leaking in the cup holder blew out the brains of the transmission and locked the back wheels on may 16, 2007. The engine will start; however, when the gas pedal is engaged the vehicle will not move forward (accelerate). The vehicle just stopped suddenly with no prior warning.
Instrument cluster display has malfunctioned on my 2001 mercedes e320. It is a problem that has occurred in almost every marcedes. The company is aware of the defect and it should be recalled.
The dealer has replaced the instrument cluster (3 times), fuel level sensor, oil level sensor, a/c control and regulators ( 3 times), steering lock and key, right headlight assembly, both catalytic converters and the right rear window regulator. All these repairs were covered under warranty.
Power window not working, one by one each power window stop working. I replace the motor, than 4 months later replaced the window assembly. This applies to the front and rear windows.
(nar) the radio did not function properly. The interior lights did not function properly. The telephone did not function properly, the electronic stability program (esp) did not function properly. The brake assist system (bas) did not function properly. The turn signals do not work.
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 9,286 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 25% most complained about).
On average one model year of the E Class has 19 complaints (16 years in the data). This year has 15, below average.
What to check before buying
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Electronic stability control. ABS/ESC sensors, steering angle, codes after suspension repair.
Other years of this model
- E Class 19937 sources
- E Class 199438 sources
- E Class 199521 sources
- E Class 199616 sources
- E Class 199738 sources
- E Class 199824 sources
- E Class 199913 sources
- E Class 200034 sources
- E Class 20028 sources
- E Class 200345 sources
- E Class 200415 sources
- E Class 20059 sources
- E Class 200610 sources
- E Class 20085 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Mercedes-Benz E Class?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: service brakes, electrical system, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 15. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: tires: bulges, blowouts (13%), windows, sunroof (13%), A/C or heater (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz E Class?
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 E Class 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.