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: exterior lighting
10 reports, newest first. Show all
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.
Exterior lighting, Feb 6, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO FUNCTION. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO READ THE GAUGES AND THE INDICATORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
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
Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Seats, Service brakes, Electric, Dec 27, 2009
MERCEDES BENZ 2002, C320 *STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTION *SRS WARNING *SEATS MALFUNCTION *BRAKE AND OIL FLUID MISLEADING INFO *BATTERY DRAIN *TURNING SIGNALS REQUIRING NEW HARNESS THAT COST A LOT $$$. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jul 27, 2006
OUR CAR, A 2002 C230K MANUFACTURED BY MERCEDES BENZ, HAS A KNOWN DEFECT WHERE THE TURN SIGNALS FAIL. BOTH OF THE LEFT AND RIGHT TURN SIGNALS FAILED ON OUR CAR RECENTLY, REQUIRING REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER OBVIOUSLY KNOWS THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AND A SAFETY ISSUE, BY VIRTUE OF THE FACT THAT IT HAS ISSUED AT LEAST ONE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TO ITS DEALERS (P-82-10-19SC-JULY 03). RATHER THAN ISSUE INSTRUCTIONS TO HAVE ITS DEALERS REPAIR THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, THE MANUFACTURER HAS CHOSEN TO PLAY "ROULETTE" AND SEE IF THIS SAFETY ISSUE OCCURS WITHIN THE WARRANTY PERIOD. THESE CARS SHOULD ALL BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED. *JB
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Exterior lighting, Visibility, Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 14, 2005
I LEASED A MERCEDES BENZ C230 COMPRESSOR FOR MY DAUGHTER IN 2001. THE SUN ROOF DIDN'T SLIDE BACK ON THE EXTERIOR OR THE INTERIOR. THE DEALER DISMANTLED THE SUN ROOF. MERCEDES REFUNDED THE FIRST MONTH'S LEASE PAYMENT SINCE SHE DID NOT HAVE USE OF THE VEHICLE FOR THE FIRST MONTH. AFTER ONE YEAR THE SUN ROOF NEEDED ADDITIONAL REPAIR. AT 31,000 MILES - THE POWER STEERING FAILED THE BRAKES FAILED AND WERE REPLACED THE DIFFERENTIAL BROKE THE SUN ROOF ONCE AGAIN WASN'T WORKING... THE INTERIOR SLIDING MECHANISM FAILED FOR THE THIRD TIME IN 2 AND 1/2 YEARS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON BECAUSE THE COOLANT SENSOR FAILED, THE CAR OVERHEATED BUT THE SENSOR REGISTERED COOL. CURRENTLY AT 37,000 MILES - THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE TAKEN APART BECAUSE IT WASN'T SHIFTING GEARS. THE MOTOR ON THE DRIVER'S POWER WINDOW BROKE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE LEFT TURN HARNESS HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE FLASHER BROKE. WHILE THEY WERE FIXING THE TRANSMISSION THEY SOMEHOW DAMAGED THE REAR WINDOW AND THE REAR WINDSHIELD IS NOW BEING REPLACED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL COMING ON OCCASIONALLY. MERCEDES CEASED TO MANUFACTURE THIS VEHICLE IN 2005. MY DAUGHTER SPOKE TO THE REGIONAL REP., HE WAS UNRESPONSIVE, RUDE AND HUNG UP ON HER. I HAVE LOST CONFIDENCE IN THIS VEHICLE AND I HAVE EVERY REASON TO BELIEVE THAT IT WILL CONTINUE TO BREAK DOWN AND JEOPARDIZE MY DAUGHTER'S SAFETY. THE ENGINE COULD BREAK DOWN BECAUSE OF A DEFECTIVE SENSOR THAT THEY CANNOT SEEM TO FIX. THE INCIDENT DATE THAT FOLLOWS IS THE DATE OF THE MOST RECENT PROBLEM .. THE TRANSMISSION AND THE REAR WINDOW. *NM
Exterior lighting, Aug 5, 2004
INTERMITTENTLY THE LEFT HEADLIGHT FAILED TO FUNCTION. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATION WAS REDUCED. SOMETIMES THERE WAS A WARNING ON THE DASHBOARD THAT INDICATED THE LIGHT WAS OUT, EVEN IF THE LIGHT WAS ON. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY THE DEALERSHIP 5 TIMES HEY REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER, CHANGED THE HEADLIGHT CONNECTION, AND ALTERED THE LIGHT BULB. TBUT FAILURE RECURRED.*AK
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Exterior lighting, Equipment, Other or unspecified, Apr 14, 2003
3/03 WITHIN 3 MONTHS OF PURCHASING MY 2002 C-240, THE AIR CONDITIONING STOPPED WORKING, FUEL GAUGE FAILED, HEADLIGHT WASHER BROKE, AND ONE OF THE VENTS ON THE DASH FELL APART. TOOK IN FOR SERVICE AND WAS GIVEN ANOTHER 2002 C-240, AND WHILE DRIVING THE LOANER CAR IN THE MOUNTAINS, IT BEGAN DOWN SHIFTING ITSELF AND THERE WAS NO POWER. CAR WOULD COME TO COMPLETE STOP AND THEN WOULD START MOVING AGAIN. HAPPENED 6 TIMES. MERCEDES DEALER THOUGHT WAS ISOLATED INCIDENT. I FELT IT WAS VERY SERIOUS AS I WAS ON INTERSTATE WHEN IT WOULD SUDDENLY STOP IN TRAFFIC. COULD HAVE CAUSED A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. 4/03 AIR CONDITIONING NOT WORKING AGAIN. *NLM
Exterior lighting, May 15, 2002
XENON HEADLAMPS BLIND ONCOMING DRIVERS. THEY SHOULD BE BANNED !!!!*AK
Exterior lighting, May 6, 2002
THESE NEW HEADLIGHTS ON NEW IMPORT CARS BLIND ME AT NIGHT. APPROACHING FROM AHEAD OF FROM THE REAR. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE TO ELIMINATE THIS POTENTIAL HAZARD FOR THE AFFECTED DRIVERS. PLEASE HELP US. THANKS.*AK