The 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a full-size car that came with a choice of 4.3L 8-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl, 5.4L 8-cyl and 5.8L 12-cyl engines. At 25 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.
| Body style | Large Cars |
|---|---|
| Engines | 4.3L 8-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl, 5.4L 8-cyl, 5.8L 12-cyl |
| Transmissions | Automatic 5-spd |
| Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
| Fuel economy | 14–16 city / 20–23 highway / 16–18 combined MPG |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $4,550–$5,150 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles) |
| Tailpipe CO₂ | 494–555 grams per mile |
| Versions tested by EPA | 4 configurations: S430, S500, S55 AMG, S600 |
| Age | 25 years |
Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.
NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls covering the 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.
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.
Risk: 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.
On certain vehicles, the instrument cluster is experiencing electrical malfunctions. The instrument cluster contains gauges and indicators that must be illuminated whenever the vehicle is in operation.
Risk: Due to inadequate illumination, the driver will be unable to read the gauges and indicators, such as the speedometer, which could increase the risk of a crash.
On certain passenger vehicles, during the production process of the blower motor fuse holder, the size of the electric conductor of the holder may be below appropriate tolerances.
Risk: Consequently, the electric conductor of the blower motor fuse holder may dissipate more heat than the plastic fuse holder was designed to withstand, which could result in overheating of the holder and disabling of the blower motor and the a
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.
On certain passenger vehicles, excessive static build-up in the trunk floor mats can cause a static discharge when individuals move or remove items from the trunk compartment.
Risk: This can damage the electrical system components located in the trunk, including the vehicle's battery.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The sheathing material on the electrical connection of the heated windshield washer bottle hose could overheat.
Risk: This could cause the surrounding plastic and insulation to melt.
Owners have filed 184 complaints about the 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class with NHTSA. 4 reports involved a crash and 6 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 6 injuries.
Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.
Manufacturers have filed 42 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.
Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to
Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to
Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not
Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky
Complaints about poor wiping effect of winshield wiper
Mercedes: parktronic intermittently not functioning. The function works again after a short time or distance. When the foot operated parking brake is applied, the parktro
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).
NHTSA opened 1 defect investigation covering the 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
Instrument cluster failure
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this investigation based on seven reports indicating that the instrument clusters in model year (my) 2000-2001 Mercedes-Benz s class vehicles failed in that consumers were unable to read any of the gauges while operating their vehicles at any speed during the day or nigh
It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.
Yes. We buy 2001 S-Classs that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.
Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.
Data retrieved October 2026.
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