Most common 2001 Mercedes-Benz M Class problems
Share of the 5 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mercedes-Benz M Class complaints by model year
Best M Class years: 2008, 2007, 1998. Years to avoid: 2000, 2006. Compare all years →
2001 Mercedes-Benz M Class recalls (4)
Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
Mercedes-Benz is recalling certain model year 1999-2002 m-class and model year 2000-2003 m-class amg vehicles. The cruise control system in the affected vehicles allows the driver to disengage the system in a number of ways, including tapping the brake pedal, using the cruise control stalk, or braking the vehicle enough to…
Remedy: Dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began during October 2011. Owners May contact Mercedes-Benz at 1-800-367-6372.
Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
Mercedes-Benz is recalling 125,228 my 1998-2004 m-class vehicles. The hose clamp used to secure the power steering fluid cooling hose to the power steering fluid cooler May not provide sufficient clamping force for this connection.
Remedy: An earlier recall repair performed on these vehicles May not be sufficient to prevent a future leakage or failure of the power steering hose connection (please see 03V121).
Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
On certain passenger vehicles, the hose clamp used to secure the power steering fluid cooling hose to the power steering fluid cooler May not provide sufficient clamping force for this connection.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new hose clamp on the power steering hose to the power steering cooler. During clamp replacement, the power steering cooling hose will be inspected and replaced as necessary.
Electrical system › Wiring
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Certain all activity module ii (aam ii) could have a sub-component that could cause the module to intermittently not function properly. The aam ii controls a number of systems including the high beam lights, instrument cluster, door locks, and wiper systems.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the aam ii. Owner notification began February 16, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable…
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 4 possible defects involving the 2001 Mercedes-Benz M Class:
Power steering hose leak
Mercedes-Benz USA (mbusa) will notify certain model year (my) 1998 through 2003 m-class owners of the need to bring their vehicles into dealers to address the issue previously campaigned under mbusa recall 2003-040005 (NHTSA recall 03v-121).the mbusa campaign, which odi is designating recall 08v-465, will replace the power steering cooler hose and clamp in all vehicles that received the original recall remedy for…
Brake lamp switch failure.
ODI opened the investigation based on reports that the subject vehicle brake lamp switch (switch) failure caused 1) inoperative brake lamps (stay on or fail to illuminate), and/or 2) shift interlock failure (shifter locked in park), and/or 3) the cruise control to fail to cancel with brake application.Consumers also reported the illumination of a warning lamp on the instrument panel.The switch contains three sets of…
Electronic stability control malfunction
Odi opened pe07-007 after receiving 4 complaints within a 6 week period alleging incidents of uncommanded brake application in model year (my) 2000 through 2001 Mercedes m class sport utility vehicles.information contained in the reports or gathered in subsequent consumer interviews indicated that the incidents were caused by faults in the electronic stability program (ESP) system which were repaired by replacing…
Brake line chafe
Analysis of complaints to odi and Mercedes and warranty claim data submitted by Mercedes indicates that the alleged defect has occurred at a low rate (36.5 complaints per 100,000 vehicles and 0.29 percent warranty claim rate), with no discernable defect trend indicating that the rate of chafing related brake line failures is increasing.there have been no new complaints since January 2009.when the analysis is limited…
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Mercedes-Benz M Class a good car?
Based on 5 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2001 M Class rates average: 22% fewer complaints than a typical year of the M Class at the same age. 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 M Class?
The electrical system — 2 complaints, 40% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the body & structure (1) and engine & cooling (1).
How many recalls does the 2001 Mercedes-Benz M Class have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2001 Mercedes-Benz M Class, the most recent from March 31, 2011 (cruise control). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz M Class?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2008, 2007 and 1998. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2000 and 2006. See the full Mercedes-Benz M Class years comparison.
At what mileage do 2001 Mercedes-Benz M Class problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 60,000 miles; 50% 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.