2001 Mercedes Benz CL600

Routine

Owners filed 14 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the suspension. It has been recalled 1 time.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Suspension4
000
Electrical System3
010
Engine and Engine Cooling2
010
Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear1
000
Visibility1
000
Suspension › Front1
000
Fuel/Propulsion System1
010
Air Bags1
010

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Suspension04V228000
Filed May 13, 20046,238 vehiclesMercedes-Benz Usa, Llc.

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, CORROSION MAY OCCUR IN THE INNER STEEL PORTIONS OF THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL'S (ABC) HIGH-PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE DUE TO EXTENSIVE EXPOSURE TO HEAT AND HUMIDITY. OVER TIME, CORROSION MAY DETERIORATE THE INNER STEEL PORTIONS OF THE HOSE.

Risk. THIS MAY RESULT IN ABC HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKAGE. UNDER SOME CIRCUMSTANCES, LEAKING HYDRAULIC FLUID MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS AND LEAD TO A POSSIBILITY OF FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW, CORROSION RESISTANT ABC HIGH-PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSES. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 31, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Oct 3, 201544,000 milesAR

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.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 19, 201459,000 milesNC

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.

Fuel/Propulsion SystemFire
Filed Jun 11, 2014148,641 milesCA

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.

Suspension
Filed Dec 10, 201377,306 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ CL 600. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABC (ACTIVE BODY CONTROL) SENSOR LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE LOCAL DEALER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN 04V228000(SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,306. *TR

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Jun 21, 2013165,000 milesNC

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

Suspension
Filed Jan 14, 2013179,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ CL-600. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE ABC LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HIM THE HYDRAULIC SUSPENSION LINE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY TWO DAYS LATER WITH THE VEHICLE IN IDLE MODE, HE HEARD A LOUD BURST. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED ANOTHER HYDRAULIC SUSPENSION LINE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V228000 (SUSPENSION), BUT WAS REPAIRED IN 2005. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS APPROXIMATELY 179,000. UPDATED 3/20/13 *CN

Air BagsFire
Filed Jul 20, 201265,700 milesNC

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

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Sep 15, 2011100,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ CL 600. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, A FIRE ERUPTED FROM THE DASH BOARD AREA. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DID NOT CONFIRM THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 29, 2011117,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ CL-600. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ABC WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN DETECTED THAT THE ABC HYDRAULIC HOSE AND HYDRAULIC PUMP WERE LEAKING A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF FLUID ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE HAD ALSO BEEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V263000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE YEARS AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000. ..UPDATED 09/21/11 *BF

Suspension › Front
Filed Mar 2, 201052,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES CL-600. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RECALL NUMBER 04V228000, SUSPENSION WAS REPAIRED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE RECALL HAD BEEN PERFORMED AND A SECOND RECALL REPAIR WAS DENIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,575. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

Suspension
Filed Jul 9, 200974,400 milesIL

ON MAY 6, 2009 MY MERCEDEZ CL600 ACTIVE BODY CONTROL FAILED AND CAUSED THE CAR TO DROP SO LOW THAT THE BODY TOUCHED THE TIRES AND CAUSING DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE MERCEDES DEALERSHIP REPAIR FACILITY OF CHICAGO INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY AN OIL LEAK IN THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL HIGH PRESSURE LINE. SINCE THE REPAIR ON JUNE 1, 2009, FOR WHICH A RECALL WAS NEVER MENTIONED, THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL SYSTEM CAUSED THE BODY TO TOUCH THE TIRES AGAIN ON JUNE 20, 2009 AND I TOWED THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE NO WORK WAS DONE AND NO RECALL INFORMATION WAS DISCLOSED. THE BODY OF HE CAR RAISED TEMPORARILY ENOUGH TO DRIVE BUT CONTINUES TO LOWER SPONTANEOUSLY. *TR

Suspension
Filed Mar 4, 200980,000 milesCA

MERCEDES REFUSED TO TAKE REPAIR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ABC HOSE LEAK ON MY 2001 CL. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY LOWER ,BODY TOUCHED TIRES, WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY. THE NHTSA HAS ISSUED A RECALL AFFECTING MERCEDES-BENZ CL CLASS AND S CLASS AUTOS FROM THE 2000 THROUGH 2004 MODEL YEARS. THE ISSUE INVOLVES HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKAGE THAT COULD TOUCH OFF A FIRE. DETAILS ARE LISTED BELOW: MANUFACTURER: MERCEDES-BENZ MODEL YEAR: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 MODELS AFFECTED: CL CLASS, S CLASS NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V263000 POTENTIAL UNITS AFFECTED: 19924 PROBLEM: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, CORROSION MAY OCCUR IN THE INNER STEEL PORTIONS OF THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL?S (ABC) HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE DUE TO EXTENSIVE EXPOSURE TO HUMIDITY CAUSING DETERIORATION OF THE HOSE. THIS MAY RESULT IN ABC HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKAGE NEAR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. LEAKING FLUID MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS AND LEAD TO A POSSIBLE FIRE. *TR

Visibility
Filed Sep 11, 200632,000 milesFL

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

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear
Filed Feb 24, 200629,250 milesFL

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.

14 of 14 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2001
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20051000Routine
20041100Routine
20032100Routine
200213100Routine
2001 — this page14140Routine

Compare every CL600 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 13, 2004. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.