2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 184 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 12th highest complaint count among 23 C-Class model years with reports.
Of the 2002 reports, 8 involved a crash and 10 involved a fire. 10 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
65 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Sep 5, 2024
Battery drains after being parked overnight, 58,000 miles, dealer maintained since new. Driven by a little old lady until I bought it. Took it to the dealer and they replaced one of the seat modules. Soon afterward, the problem recurred. Took it back to the dealer and they said it was a defective fuse box and replaced it for $650. Went to pick up the car and the battery was dead again. After some complaining, they refunded the bill. They looked at it again and said the problem was somewhere in the dashboard and it would cost $2300 just to take it apart and look for a bad module. They offered $2300 trade in toward a new or CPO car, and said my car would be sent to the crusher. I took the car back and installed a remote operated battery cutoff, and have been driving it ever since. Other than disturbing the engine computer, it's been running well for three years and 20,000 miles. Lovely car otherwise.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 14, 2023
While changing one of the lights in the headlight housing, I found the wiring's insulation rotting off all the wires, exposing the bare copper presenting a fire hazard.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Nov 6, 2022
There is an old recall campaign for the Camshaft Seal, # 2009100001. This car is among those affected by this problem and should be covered for issues and repairs.
Electrical system, Oct 21, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ C240. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE PROPERLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOMETER WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF TACOMA (1701-C ALEXANDER AVE E, FIFE, WA 98424) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS STILL AWAITING INFORMATION ON THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE APPROXIMATELY 90,000.*DT*JB*DT THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A PHOTO. *TR
Electrical system, Seats, Apr 3, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE WHICH CAUSED THE BATTERY TO DRAIN. THE MODULE WAS UNPLUGGED TO PREVENT THE BATTERY FROM BEING DRAINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.
Electrical system, May 31, 2019
TAKATA RECALL ESL (ELECTRIC STEERING LOCK) COMPONENTS THE MOTOR FAILS TO UNLOCK THE STEERING THE FIRST TIME, BUT WORK IN FOLLOWING ATTEMPTS. SOME TIMES IT TAKES 1 TO 4 HOURS FOR ESL TO UNLOCK. THIS HAPPENS ONLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED WEATHER OVERNIGHT OR JUST COMING OUT OF THE STORE SHOPPING.
Electrical system, Aug 7, 2017
BATTERY DRAINING
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Engine, Mar 29, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ C230. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 15-20 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE ABS AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRE HARNESS MELTED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 12,000.
Electrical system, Apr 18, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ C240. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Power train, Electrical system, Jan 4, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C240. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR AND WAS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING FLUID IN SIX DIFFERENT PLACES AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Aug 7, 2015
WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WHEN ESP, BAS AND ABS LIGHTS SHOW UP, AND SPEEDOMETER DISPLAY STOPS WORKING - SPEED READING GOES TO ZERO, THOUGH THERE IS NO REDUCTION IN SPEED. GET TO DESTINATION. ON RETURN IT HAPPENS AGAIN. THIS TIME I GO TO REST AREA, STOP THE CAR, REMOVE THE KEY AND RESTART. THE CAR REFUSES TO MOVE OUT OF PARK. CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND GET INSTRUCTION TO OVERRIDE PARK, DRIVE HOME WITH FLASHERS ON - VERY ROUGH RIDE QUALITY. TOW TO DEALER NEXT DAY, THEY ARE NOT SURE IF NEW PART WILL FIX IT, EVEN IF $1850 PART IS REPLACED. LOTS OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS OVER THE YEARS. TURN LIGHTS GO OUT ROUTINELY. CHANGED CD CHANGER. SEAT DRAINS BATTERY,HAD TO DISCONNECT IT. POOR ELECTRICAL SENSORS ALL AROUND. NOW IT ALSO HAS RUST DAMAGE, ALL OF A SUDDEN, AT THE BOTTOM OF DOORS.
Electrical system, Apr 8, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES C320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER AN HOUR, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,384.
Electrical system, Seats, Sep 9, 2014
SEAT CONTROL MODULE DRAINING THE BATTERY. CAR WILL NOT START IF NOT DRIVEN FOR 24 HOURS. 99% OF THE CARS WITH THE SEAT CONTROL MODULE PART NUMBER STARTING WITH "203" ARE BAD!! WHY WONT MERCEDES RECALL THEM AND REPLACE WITH NEW ONES FREE OF CHARGE. ITS OBVIOUS THAT ITS A DEFECTED PART AND IT WILL CAUSE OTHER THINGS TO GO BAD. WE SPEND ENOUGH HARD EARNED MONEY ON BUYING THE CAR TO HAVE TO PAY FOR THERE DEFECTIVE PARTS. THAT'S WHY THEY ARE CALLED THE STEALER NOT THE DEALER! *TR
Electrical system, Jul 19, 2014
I AM NOT SURE WHY MERCEDES IS DOING THIS. I AM SURE THE AUTO MAKER IS AWARE OF THE SITUATION AND NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS FORUMS REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE. ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. I DEMAND MERCEDES TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY CAN NOT GET AWAY CLEAN HANDS JUST LIKE ANY OTHER AUTO MAKERS. THIS ARE PEOPLE LIVES YOU ARE PLAYING WITH AND YOU AS A AUTOMAKER HAVE NO REMORSE FOR PEOPLE LIVES. THIS IS NOT A MOVIE WHERE YOU CAN JUST CALCULATE YOUR COLLATERAL DAMAGE AND GET AWAY. WILL NEVER BUY MERCEDES EVER AGAIN. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED. ITS ONE ISSUES AFTER ANOTHER. MY CAR JUST STOPS ON HIGHWAY ALL OF SUDDEN LOSES POWER AND HAVE TO TURN IT OFF AND TURN IT ON AGAIN. I HAD ALMOST EVERYTHING REPLACED IN THE CAR, SPARK PLUGS, ALTERNATOR, BATTERY(THAT WENT OUT 3 TIMES). OH DON'T GET ME STARTED ON THE AIR CONDITIONER - THE PARTS ARE MADE SO CHEAP THAT THERE IS A LITTLE HOOK TYPE THING THAT REGULATES THE SPEED OF THE SPEED BREAKS SO EASILY I CANT BELIEVE IT. COUNTLESS FORUM DATA EXIST AND NHTSA DOESN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. BAN THIS AUTOMAKER OR TELL THEM TO GIVE ME A NEW CAR. NOW I AM LOOKING TO SPEND CLOSE TO ANOTHER $600-$1000 BUCKS TO DIAGNOSE AND REPLACE PARTS. THIS IS NOT A JOKE. OH THEN THERE IS THAT WHEEL BEARING ISSUE I MEAN COME ON MY DAD OWNS A HONDA ACCORD OLDER THAN MINE ALL HE HAS DONE TO THAT CAR SO FAR IS OIL CHANGE AND REGULAR MAINTENANCE. I DEMAND SOME ANSWER AND POSSIBLE COMPENSATION FROM THE AUTO MAKER. *TR
Electrical system, Seats, Jun 10, 2014
THE POWER SEAT MODULES CONTINUOUSLY DRAIN THE BATTERY CAUSING DEAD BATTERY WITHIN 24-48 HOURS. THE SEATS MUST BE UNPLUGGED TO STOP THE PROBLEM. MERCEDES DEALERSHIP WANTS $100 TO DIAGNOSE AND $1,500 PER SEAT MODULE. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ONLINE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM MAKING THIS A DEFECT. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Apr 14, 2014
THIS 2002 MERCEDES C32 IS A DEATHTRAP! THE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS, REAR & FORWARD SAM, FUEL PUMP, ETC, FAIL AT AN UNUSUALLY HIGH RATE. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT INVOLVED A FAULT IN THE PRIMARY FUEL PUMP. THE MERCEDES DEALER IDENTIFIED THE FAULT AS A FAULTY PLASTIC POWER CONNECTOR ON THE PUMP AND A FAILED FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR. THEY THEN PROCEEDED TO TELL ME THAT MERCEDES BENZ NORTH AMERICA WOULD NOT SELL ME A REPLACEMENT PUMP; INSTEAD, THEY INSISTED THAT I PURCHASE AN ENTIRE NEW FUEL TANK AND WIRING HARNESS FOR $3200 PARTS AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS MORE FRO LABOR. MERCEDES BENZ IS AWARE OF A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW ON THIS YEAR AND MODEL, YET, REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE A VOLUNTARY RECALL. MOREOVER, THE DESIGN AND PLACEMENT OF THE TANK--A SADDLE TYPE, SITUATED UNDER THE REAR SEATS--ALLOWS DIRT, SMALL PEBBLES AND OTHER DEBRIS TO ACCUMULATE IN THE AREA (A TYPE OF WELL) OF THE FUEL PUMP(S)--THERE ARE TWO. EVERY TIME I'VE HAD THE CAR SERVICED THE TECHNICIAN HAD TO VACUUM OUT ALL THE ACCUMULATED DEBRIS. I'VE NOTICED ON THIS SITE THAT OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT FUEL PUMP PROBLEMS, INCLUDING SERIOUS FUEL LEAKS WITH THEIR ASSOCIATED FUEL LINE FAULTS. REGARDLESS OF THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE, THESE FAILURES SHOULD NEVER TAKE PLACE! MOREOVER, I AM COUNTING ON YOUR OFFICE TO INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER THOROUGHLY. IN RECENT DAYS IT HAS COME TO LIGHT THAT THE AUTO INDUSTRY HAS BEEN CRIMINALLY NEGLECTFUL WITH RESPECT TO ADDRESSING FAULTY DESIGN ISSUES. I THINK MY CIRCUMSTANCE IS YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THIS PHENOMENON. MERCEDES BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA MUST BE HELD TO ACCOUNT FOR PLACING A SERIOUSLY FLAWED PRODUCT INTO THE MARKETPLACE! *JS
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 18, 2013
THERE HAVE BEEN TWO WARNING LIGHTS FOR REAR LIGHTS AND AFTER DRIVING FOR 4 HOURS, A WARNING CAME ON FOR ELECTRICAL STABILITY AND MY CAR QUIT WORKING COMPLETELY. THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL AND I HAD TO RESTART IT. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS. *TR
Electrical system, Seats, May 20, 2013
DRIVERS POWER SEAT CONTROL MODULE DRAINS BATTERY WHEN AUTO IS PARKED. *TR
Electrical system, Seats, Mar 22, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES C320. THE CONTACT STATED HE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY IN THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THE SEAT CONTROLS FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT DRAINED THE BATTERY AND THE SEAT CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 90,904. *TR
Electrical system, Seats, Jul 17, 2012
I CAME OUT AND MY BATTERY WAS DEAD WITHOUT WARNING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DOWNTOWN LA MOTORS(MERCEDES BENZ) DEALER, WHERE THEY EXPLAINED THAT THE SEAT CONTROL MODULES WERE STAYING ON AND CAUSING THE BATTERY TO DRAIN. I SUBSEQUENTLY HAD TO UNHOOK THE SEAT CONTROLS AND NOW I AM UNABLE TO MOVE MY SEATS OR STEERING WHEEL. THEY ESTIMATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST AROUND 1500. NUMEROUS CUSTOMERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE ON THE SAME VEHICLE, IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND NOT THE FAULT OF MERCEDES BENZ CONSUMERS. *TR
Electrical system, Apr 28, 2012
ON 1/14/2012 CAR WONT START BATTERY DEAD, CALL AAA TOW TRUCK. JUMP BATTERY OK USED CARED NEXT DAY AND ON FAUL COME UP ON MY CARS TROULBE SCREEN TO INDICATED THAT I HAD ANY OTHER TROUBLE IN ANY SYSTEM IT THE CAR, WE WHEN TO FL ON THE ON THE 16 OF JANUARY CAR WAS HOME (IN NY) SON WAS GOING TO TAKE OF HOUSE AND START CAR ONCE A WEEK. RECEIVED PHONE CALL FROM MY SON ON 1/17/2012 CAR WONT START,BATTERY DEAD, AND KEY WONT TURN. ON 4/21/2012 COME HOME FROM FL FROUND DEAD CAR AND TRANSMISTION LEAKING.CALLED MERCEDES BENZ FOR A TOE TO THE SHOP.THIS IS THR THIRED BATTERY SINCE A HAVE THIS CAR.BATTERY WAS UNDER WARRANTY.IT WAS CHANEG LEST THEN A YEAR AGO. M/B SHOP INFORMED ME BATTERY WAS DEAD. CAUSE MY SEAT MODULES SHORTED, TO REPLACE MODULES WAS COST $1200. I FEEL THAT THE BATTERY CAUSE THIS TROUBLE AND THE THE MODULES SHOULD BE REPLACED BY B/M AT NO COST TO ME. *TR
Electrical system, Seats, Apr 26, 2012
I HAVE A 2002 MERCEDES C320. MY BATTERY IS DEAD AFTER SEATING OVERNIGHT. TOOK THE CAR TO THE AUSTIN MB DEALERSHIP TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT THE POWER SEAT MOTOR IS DRAINING MY BATTERY. BOTH SEATS. COME TO FIND OUT THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. I CALLED MERCEDES USA AND THEY SAID THAT SINCE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, THERE IS NOT MUCH THEY CAN DO. THAT IS BULL!! OBVIOUSLY SINCE SO MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS CAR MODEL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, IT HAS TO BE A MANUFACTURER FAULT. I WAS WONDERING HOW MANY PEOPLE NEED TO EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM BEFORE MERCEDES WILL ADMIT THAT THEY HAVE A BAD COMPONENT ON THIS MODEL. I FIGURED,IF ENOUGH PEOPLE CALL AND TELL MB THAT THEY HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM, THEY WILL REALIZE THAT THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART AND THEY WILL ISSUE A RECALL AND PAY FOR NECESSARY REPAIRS. PLEASE CALL MERCEDES USA AND REPORT THIS PROBLEM. 1-800-FOR-MERCEDES (1-800-367-6372) OR 201-476-6200. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 7, 2012
BOTH FRONT POWER SEAT MODULES DRAIN BATTERY WHEN CAR IS OFF. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 2, 2011
MERCEDES BENZ C240 ECU FAILURE. ALSO THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ARE SOMETIMES RANDOM AT BEST AND SOMETIMES SHUTS OFF. THE CARS INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ALSO SOMETIMES DOESN'T WORK, THE POWER STEERING LEAKS INTERMITTENTLY THE REAR COIL SPRING BROKE ON LEFT SIDE OF VEHICLE . THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED SO WAS THE COIL PACK AND OTHER ITEMS BY MERCEDES BUT THEY ALWAYS TRIED TO JUSTIFY THAT PROBLEM WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR WHICH IS NOT TRUE. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 25, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY CONTINUED TO FAIL EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE SEAT MODULE WAS DRAINING THE BATTERY THAT WAS LOCATED UNDER THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD TO PURCHASE TWO BATTERIES WITHIN FOUR MONTHS DUE TO THE RECURRING FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.