← New search

2001 Mercedes Benz CL600

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all CL600 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 14 of 14 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Suspension. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports4 fire reports0 injury reports

Suspension complaints

7 reports
Clear category filter
44,000 miles · Oct 3, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior LightingSuspension

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…

Read full complaint

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.

NHTSA ODI #10779507

59,000 miles · Nov 19, 2014
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemSuspension

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…

Read full complaint

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.

NHTSA ODI #10659246

77,306 miles · Dec 10, 2013
Suspension

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…

Read full complaint

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

NHTSA ODI #10555449

179,000 miles · Jan 14, 2013
Suspension

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…

Read full complaint

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

NHTSA ODI #10492850

52,000 miles · Mar 2, 2010
Suspension

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.

NHTSA ODI #10315650

74,400 miles · Jul 9, 2009
Suspension

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…

Read full complaint

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

NHTSA ODI #10276261

80,000 miles · Mar 4, 2009
Suspension

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 …

Read full complaint

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

NHTSA ODI #10260674

Official recalls

1

04V228000 · Suspension

May 13, 2004

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.