2001 Mercedes Benz S600 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. 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 S600.
- 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 S600 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (23), Suspension (10), Electrical system (5), Lights (3), Brakes (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)
12/04/2018 · Engine
ENGINE OIL COOLER UNDER INTAKE LEAKING OIL DEALERS WANT ALMOST 6000.00 TO REPAIR.
07/13/2016 · Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ S600. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A PROGRESSING OIL LEAK. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A PRESENCE OF A LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL COOLER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WA…
07/13/2016 · Engine
TAKATA INFLATORS MY CAR SEEMS TO BE LEAKING OIL. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP THEY TOLD ME IT WAS MY OIL COOLER, I WAS TOLD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE MERCEDES BENZ S 600 IN THAT IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS MATTER...WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR I NOTICED OIL LEAKS IN MY GARAGE SO AS I DROVE THE VEHICLE I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR I PULLED THE…
02/04/2016 · Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES-BENZ S600. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LEAKED OIL INTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.
02/04/2016 · Engine
ENGINE OIL COOLER LEAKS. THIS LOOKS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL WITH V12 ENGINE.THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED BECAUSE OF THIS VERY EXPENSIVE PROBLEM.
02/04/2016 · Engine
THESE S600 WITH V12 ENGINES FROM 2000-2005 HAVE SEVERE ENGINE OIL COOLER LEAKS. SOME WITH AS LITTLE AS 30,000 MILES. THESE VEHICLES SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED YEARS AGO NOW MERCEDES WANTS TO CHARGE FROM 5,OOO TO 6,000 TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM AND DONT WANT TO WARRANT AFTER FIX BECAUSE ITS A RECURRING PROBLEM BECAUSE OF POOR ENGINEERING. THEIR SHOULD BE A RECAL…
02/04/2016 · Engine
OIL COOLER SEALS FAIL APPROXIMATELY EVERY 50 TO 60,000 MILES & IN ORDER TO CHANGE THEM YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE HEADS OFF THE ENGINE.THIS JOB COST ANYWHERE FROM $3,400 TO $6,000 DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU GO. FIRST & FOREMOST THE OIL LEAK BECOMES BAD VERY QUICKLY & SPILLS DOWN THE MANIFOLD, WHILE DRIVING COULD CAUSE A FIRE & EVEN WORST DEATH.
01/28/2015 · Electrical system
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S600. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE STALLED BUT RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,600.