2001 Mercedes Benz Cl600 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Suspension
What's wrong, in plain English: Parts can break and cause loss of control. 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.
What could happen: 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.
The fix: 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 to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2001 CL600.
- Book a repair at any authorized Mercedes Benz dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 04V228000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-367-6372.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SUSPENSION
Summary: 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: 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.
Notes: MERCEDES-BENZ RECALL NO. 2004070012. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2001 Mercedes Benz Cl600 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Suspension (7), Electrical system (4), Engine (3), Lights (2), Fuel system (2).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
10/03/2015 · Suspension
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 THROW…
11/19/2014 · Suspension
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…
06/11/2014 · Fuel system · fire
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…
12/10/2013 · 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 FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,306.…
06/21/2013 · Engine · fire
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
01/14/2013 · 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 A LOUD BURST. THE VEHICLE WA…
07/20/2012 · Electrical system · fire
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 TH…
09/15/2011 · Electrical system · fire
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…