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: seats
33 reports, newest first. Show all
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.
Seats, Oct 27, 2016
SEATS CONTROL MODULE
Seats, Nov 4, 2014
THE SEAT CONTROL UNITS DO NOT SHUT OFF AND CONTINUALLY DRAIN THE BATTERY. THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM FOR THIS MODEL CAR. *TR
Seats, Oct 27, 2014
I AM CORROBORATING WHAT WAS SUBMITTED ON CLAIM 10632020. THE FRONT POWER SEATS ON BOTH SIDES OF MY CAR HAVE FAILED. WHEN THEY FAIL THERE IS A CONSTANT BATTERY DRAIN WHILE THE CAR IS OFF THAT DRAINS THE BATTERY COMPLETELY, CAUSING IT TO BE DEAD WITHIN 8 HOURS. FIRST MY DRIVERS SIDE FAILED, THEN WITHIN THE SAME YEAR THE PASSENGER SEAT FAILED. I BOUGHT TWO NEW BATTERIES AND HAD TO ARGUE WITH THE SALESMEN ABOUT WHETHER THE BATTERIES WERE GOOD OR BAD BEFORE I REALIZED THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE SEAT CONTROLS. MB WANTED MULTIPLE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPLACE 1 SEAT CONTROLLER. OVERALL THE ELECTRONICS ON MY CAR ARE ITS WEAKEST LINK, AND UNFORTUNATELY WHEN SOMETHING BREAKS THERE IS NO FIXING IT OTHER THAN TO REPLACE THE ASSEMBLY. MB SHOULD COVER THIS ON A RECALL BECAUSE IF SOMEONE'S MOTHER OR WIFE IS OUT ON THE ROAD AND THEY FIND THEIR BATTERY DEAD IN THE DARK OF THE NIGHT THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
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, 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
Seats, Jan 14, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER SEAT MODULE WAS DRAINING THE BATTERY AND AS A RESULT, IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000.
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, 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
Seats, Mar 21, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C240. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT REGULATORS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
Seats, May 23, 2011
BATTERY DIES. AFTER DIAGNOSTIC, FOUND THAT DRIVER SEAT CONTROL UNIT DRAINED BATTERY. REPLACED BATTERY AND EVENTUALLY ALL CONTROLS FAIL ON THE SEAT AND STEERING WHEEL. I AM ONE OF MANY MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. NO SOLUTION FOUND AND NO RECALL TO REPAIR. *TR
Seats, May 11, 2011
MERCEDES 2002 C320. POWER SEAT CONTROL MODULE FOR BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER DRAIN THE BATTERY TO A EXTENT THAT CAR CAN NOT BE STARTED UP. ONLY SOLUTION IS BUY A NEW ($500.00 PLUS LABOR) CONTROL MODULE. I'VE DONE A RESEARCH IN DIFFERENT MERCEDES FORUMS AND IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG THESE MODELS. MB DESPITE OF ALL THE PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM HAS NOT ISSUED ANY RECALL. *TR
Electrical system, Seats, May 2, 2010
LEFT AND RIGHT ELECTRONIC SEAT MODULES WHICH ALSO CONTROLS THE STEERING WHEEL AND OTHERS FAILED AND MB DID NOT WANT TO ACCEPT THE RESPONSIBILITY PART NUMBERS ARE: 2118704626 2118704726. *TR
Electrical system, Seats, Apr 13, 2010
AT 45,000 MILES FRONT PASSENGER SEAT STARTED DRAINING THE BATTERY. DEALER TOLD BAD CONTROL UNIT. BECAUSE OF HIGH COST OF REPAIR ($900.), IT HAS BEEN DISCONNECTED. THE CONTROL UNIT WAS LEAST UTILIZED FOR THE PASSENGERS SEAT. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED UNDER 45000 MILES USE. *TR
Electrical system, Seats, Apr 5, 2010
2002 C320 MERCEDES BENZ ELECTRICAL SEATS DRAINING BATTERY. *TR
Seats, Feb 4, 2010
WE HAVE A 2002 MERCEDES C320 WAGON. THE AUTOMATIC DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS DRAINED THE BATTERY COMPLETELY WHERE THE CAR WILL NOT START. WE HAVE DISCONNECTED THE MODULE SEATS SO THAT IT WILL STOP DRAINING THE BATTERY. THE REPLACEMENT FOR EACH MODULE SYSTEM FOR THE SEAT IS ABOUT $500 OR MORE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECTS AS IT IS DANGEROUS IF OWNERS ARE NOT AWARE OF THE SITUATION AND LEAVE THEIR CAR PARK FOR A PERIOD OF TIME WILL CAUSE THE OWNERS NOT ABLE TO START THEIR CAR, ESPECIALLY IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. *JB
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
Electrical system, Seats, Sep 2, 2009
SEAT CONTROL UNITS DRAINING THE BATTERY IF CAR IS PARKED. CAR WILL NOT START IF PARKED FOR MORE THEN 24H. DRAIN AMPS BETWEEN 1.2 AND 1.4 AMPS. HAD TO DISCONNECT THE SEAT MODULES, NOW SEATS CAN'T BE ADJUSTED. *TR
Seats, May 4, 2009
POWER SEAT CONTROLLER BECOMES DEFECTIVE AND FAILS TO SHUT DOWN WHEN CAR IS OFF AND LOCKED, AND THUS DRAINS THE BATTERY. *TR
Seats, Mar 1, 2009
DEFECTIVE SEAT CONTROLLER MODULES ( DRIVER AND PASSENGER ) CAUSE THE BATTERY TO DRAIN COMPLETELY WITHIN 24 HOURS. THIS LEAVES ME STRANDED AND UNABLE TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE. A SEARCH ONLINE REVEALS MULTIPLE OTHER WITH THE SAME ISSUES...INDICATING AN OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS WELL KNOWN TO THE MANUFACTURER WITH NO RESOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM FROM THE MANUFACTURER OTHER THAN PAYING $1000 FOR A KNOWN DEFECTIVE ISSUE/PART. *TR
Seats, Jan 10, 2009
FAULTY SEAT CONTROLLER OF A MERCEDES C32 AMG, DRAINS CAR BATTERY OVERNIGHT, CAUSES NEW BATTERY REPLACEMENT AND CONTROLLER REPLACEMENT (NOT CHEAP - APPR $400). NO NEW CONTROLLER PURCHASED FROM MB USA, JUST DISCONNECTED PLUG (MOVING SEAT IS INOPERABLE). I NOTICED ALMOST ALL US MERCEDES BENZ VEHICLES WITH THAT BODY STYLE (W203) HAVE THAT ISSUE. SOURCES: BAY AREA DEALERSHIPS, A REPAIR SHOP AND ONLINE FORUMS. *TR
Seats, Jan 6, 2009
SEAT CONTROL MODULE ON PASSENGER SIDE DRAINS THE BATTERY. *TR
Seats, Jan 5, 2009
CAR BATTERY DRAINS DUE TO A SHORT IN THE POWER SEAT CONTROL UNITS IN MY 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C320. REPLACED BATTERY, RECHARGED BATTERY NUMEROUS TIMES. EVERY OTHER OWNER OF THIS MAKE / MODEL COMPLAINS OF SAME PROBLEM. *TR