Most common 2001 Mercedes-Benz 240 problems
Share of the 22 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mercedes-Benz 240 complaints by model year
Best 240 years: 2001. Compare all years →
What 2001 Mercedes-Benz 240 owners say
Speed control & acceleration
The problem occurred initially in the middle of a drive. The vehicle performed fine but when it reached 40mph the vehicle began accelerating on its own. I pulled over and turned off the vehicle. When the car starts up it immediately throttle up to about 5000 RPM regardless of the gear. When put into drive the car accelerates at all speeds endlessly. However when the brake is pressed the accelerating stops, but upon its release the car immediately throttles up again. The acceleration pedal does not jam and the car seems to have no response to its position.
Vehicle will shut down completely with no warning. While at dealership, mechanic replaced battery, fuel injectors, and fuel related components , and some other electrical parts. Vehicle continued to shut down without warning. Mechanic could not locate cause of failure. Currently vehicle was surging. Please describe details.
Engine & cooling
The engine would suddenly shut off while driving at highway speed. We restarted the vehicle after we coasted to a stop at the side of the road. The first time this happened, we were 1 hour into a 3 hr road trip. A Mercedes Benz certified mechanic could find nothing wrong I.e., no fault codes appeared when the diagnostic was run. The problem reappeared 2 hrs into another 4 hr. Road trip and again on the local highway after 1/2 hr of driving. Each time we were able to coast to a stop at the side of the road and then restart the car. After each occasion, we had the car diagnosed, but nothing appeared to be wrong.
2001 Mercedes Benz leaked water under driver seat and back seat, engine made a clicking noise, computer malfunctioned. The headlights never lasted more than 2-3 months. While driving, there was a huge explosion under the hood. The consumer managed to pull over. While waiting for a tow truck, the consumer discovered a huge oil leak underneath the vehicle. He opened the hood, and a smell of electrical shortage emitted. The dealer informed the consumer the engine rods had failed.
Electrical system
At several points during a road trip this past weekend, my 2001 Mercedes c240 suddenly died while cruising at highway speed. There was no indication of any problems with the car in the months leading up to this incidence. However, shortly after purchasing it, the same thing happened while driving on the interstate at highway speed. The dealer checked the car at that time but never took any corrective action. In the latest incidences this past week the stalling put me in immediate danger of being hit because they happened on a mountain road with no shoulder and no place to pull off to safety. Traffic coming up from behind around a blind curve would not have been likely to see me in time to stop. Fortunately, after each incidence of stalling I was able to quickly restart the car after coming to a complete stop. …
I have a 2001 c-240 Mercedes Benz, the left tail light keep blowing and I get a message that I'm using the substitute light, I took it the repair shop (Mercedes Benz) and they changed the bulb, now the problem is happening again in less than a year. There is a shortest somewhere and it also causes the car not to start only after a day of sitting, I have to jump it to get it to start. I called roadside service the checked the battery and said something is draining the battery, but when I take it in the repair shop can't find anything. A couple nights ago the alarm and all the outside and inside light came on for no reason. Please help...did I buy a lemon? I love my car but want it to start when it's cold outside, has there been a problem like this reported on other c240. The battery has a good charge, so says the mechanic, but he doesn't know what could be draining it.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Mercedes-Benz 240 a good car?
Based on 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2001 240 rates average: 26% fewer complaints than a typical year of the 240 at the same age. It is one of the best 240 years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 Mercedes-Benz 240?
The speed control & acceleration — 4 complaints, 18% of all complaints for this model year, most often about linkages. Next are the engine & cooling (4) and electrical system (3).
How many recalls does the 2001 Mercedes-Benz 240 have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz 240. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz 240?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2001. See the full Mercedes-Benz 240 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2001 Mercedes-Benz 240 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 49,000 miles; 55% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.