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
184 reports, newest first.
Visibility, Jul 27, 2012
THERE IS VERY LIMITED VISIBILITY FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR BECAUSE THE MIRROR IS COMPROMISED IN SOME WAY. THIS OBVIOUSLY IS A SAFETY HAZARD. ADDITIONALLY, FLUID FROM THE MIRROR LEAKED ONTO THE DOOR OF THE CAR AND I UNDERSTAND THAT IT HAS ALMOST DEFINITELY AFFECTED THE PAINT. APPARENTLY, THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM IN MERCEDES CARS. I WAS AMAZED TO DISCOVER THE REPLACEMENT COST OF THE MIRROR, WHICH EXCEEDS $600. *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
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.
Electrical system, Jan 7, 2012
BOTH FRONT POWER SEAT MODULES DRAIN BATTERY WHEN CAR IS OFF. *TR
Suspension, Power train, Dec 12, 2011
THIS IS A C230 KOMPRESSOR COUPE. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL MADE A LOUD NOISE AND THEN LOCKED UP AFTER BEING DRIVEN SLOWLY TO A SHOP. IT WAS LATER LEARNED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THE EARLY 2002 C CLASS CARS BUT AS USUAL, THERE IS NO RECALL. I CONTACTED MBUSA AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THIS CAR HAS ALSO RECENTLY SHOWN EVIDENCE OF RUSTING. I CONTACTED MBUSA ABOUT THAT AND LEARNED THAT THE MB CORROSION PROTECTION IN THE U.S. IS MERELY FOUR YEARS. I ALSO FOUND THAT MOST OF THE OTHER GERMAN LUXURY AUTOMAKERS HAVE USED GALVINIZED STEEL FOR DECADES, UNLIKE THE MANUFACTURING PRACTICES OF MB. OVERALL, BETWEEN BUILT-IN MECHANICAL FAILURES AND THE RUST, AND THE FACT THAT MBUSA DOES NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR VEHICLES, I WILL CERTAINLY STEER CLEAR OF MERCEDES IN THE FUTURE. *TR
Suspension, Jul 6, 2011
I JUST HAD THE CONVERSATION WITH MY MB DEALER ABOUT REPLACING A MALFUNCTIONING YAW RATE SENSOR ON MY 2000 C230K. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THIS IS CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE IT IS RANDOMLY ENGAGING MY BRAKES AT ALL SPEEDS WHEN IT THINKS THE CAR IS OUT OF CONTROL. *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
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, 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.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jan 7, 2011
I PURCHASED A 2002 C240 MERCEDES IN 2006. THE CAR HAS NEVER GIVEN ME ANY MAJOR PROBLEMS UNTIL HERE RECENTLY. THE CAR BEGAN TO NOT START AND COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED THREE TIMES TO THE MECHANICS (DON ALLEN SERVICE CENTER ON ALLENTOWN ROAD, FORT WASHINGTON, MD). WAS TOLD I NEEDED A FUEL PUMP. I PAID $1,500 TO HAVE A NEW FUEL PUMP INSTALLED. PROBLEM NOT SOLVED. WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR. IT HESITATES FOR ABOUT 10-15 SECONDS BEFORE IT TURNS OVER. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE MECHANICS AND WAS TOLD IT NEEDED TO FUEL FILTER CHANGED AGAIN. PROBLEM NOT SOLVED. NOW THE CAR MAKES THIS LOUD WHINING NOISE FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR. NOW I HAVE TO TAKE TIME OFF FROM WORK TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE MECHANICS TO HAVE HIM TO REPLACE THE FUEL FILTER AGAIN. THIS IS WHAT I'M BEING TOLD IS THE PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. THE FUEL FILTER IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THIS WILL BE THE THIRD TIME IN ONE WEEK THAT THE FUEL FILTER HAD TO BE CHANGED. I WAS TOLD THAT ONCE THE FUEL PUMP GOES BAD, THE CAR WILL NEVER RUN THE SAME AGAIN. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE TRUE CONSIDERING THE PROBLEMS I'VE ENCOUNTERED AFTER HAVING THE FUEL PUMP INSTALLED ON MY CAR. HAVING A MERCEDES HAS BEEN A HEADACHE WITH THE COST OF JUST MAINTAINING THE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE WHICH IS COSTLY. I PLAN ON GOING BACK TO A LEXUS AFTER ALL IS SAID AND DONE! THOROUGHLY DISAPPOINTED WITH MERCEDES. THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE RECALLED TO FIX THE FAULTY FUEL SYSTEM/PUMP/FILTER. I PLAN ON REPORTING THIS COMPLAINT TO MY STATES ATTORNEY OFFICE IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND, PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 13, 2010
I HAVE A 2002 MERCEDES C-320 CAR THAT THE BATTERY WILL NOT HOLD A CHARGE! I HAD THE MERCEDES DEALER COME TO MY HOME AND PUT IN A NEW BATTERY. AFTER SPENDING $300 AND 2 DAYS LATER THE NEW BATTERY WAS DEAD. I WAS TOLD IT COULD BE THE ALTERNATOR/REGULATOR BY THE MB DEALER AND THE COST WOULD BE $1,200. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO WORKS ON FOR. CARS, AND THEY REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR/REG. FOR $512 OUT THE DOOR. 2 DAYS LATER THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AGAIN. I WAS TOLD MY NEW MERC. BATTERY WAS NOT GOOD AND THEY REPLACED IT. 7 DAYS LATER MY BATTERY DIED AGAIN. MY LOCAL MECH. TOLD ME TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE MB DEALER AS THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THEIR MODULE AND THEY SHOULD REPLACE IT FOR FREE AS THROUGH HIS RESEARCH MANY INDIVIDUALS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. CLEARLY A DEFECT PART BY MERCEDES AS THROUGH MY AND MY MECH. RESEARCH, THE MB MECH ARE REPLACING THE OLD MODULES WITH A NEW AND IMPROVED ONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I NOW HAVE NOW HAD AAA TO COME AND CHARGE MY BATTERY ONCE AGAIN AND I WILL TAKE IT TO THE MB DEALER. I HOPE THEY A WILL DO THE RIGHT THING. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 9, 2010
UNPREDICTABLE APPLICATION OF ESP IN 2002 MERCEDES C-320 RESULTING IN SUDDEN AND UNPREDICTABLE BRAKING AND ENGINE THROTTLE DOWN. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 18, 2010, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C 230. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WIRING AND SEVERAL OTHER WIRES WERE BURNED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT IF THE FUEL TANK HAD BEEN FULL OF GASOLINE, THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE FAILURE WAS NOT CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.
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
Wheels, Mar 1, 2010
ON JAN 2, 2010, WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM A MOVIE IN MY 2002 MERCEDES C230, THE CAR SUDDENLY AND VIOLENTLY BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT. I FIRST THOUGHT I HAD A BLOW OUT. I WAS DRIVING ON A FREEWAY AND AM NOT AWARE OF HITTING ANY THING THAT MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. WHEN I STOPPED, I FOUND THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS FLAT. THE FOLLOWING DAY I TOOK THE FLAT TO MY TIRE SHOP WHO INFORMED ME THE RIM HAD A CRACK IN IT, AND THAT CAUSED THE TIRE TO DEFLATE. I ORDERED A NEW WHEEL FROM THE LOCAL MERCEDES DEALER, WHO TOLD ME IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR WHEELS ON THIS MODEL TO FAIL. MERCEDES REFUSED WARRANTY. I CONSIDER THIS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY FAILURE AND ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER WITH THE LOCAL DEALER, KIMBALL MOTORS, TO PRESENT IT TO MERCEDES FOR WARRANTY AND/OR SAFETY REPLACEMENT. THE CAR IS BEYOND THE NORMAL WARRANTY PERIOD. MERCEDES REFUSED TO TAKE ANY ACTION. BOTH THE PEOPLE WHO REPLACED THE TIRE, BIG BRAND TIRE, AND THE PARTS PEOPLE AT THE DEALER, KIMBALL MOTORS, TOLD ME THEY SEE "SEVERAL FAILURES LIKE THIS" EACH YEAR. IN MY 50 PLUS YEARS OF DRIVING FOR PLEASURE AND COMMERCIALLY, I NEVER EXPERIENCED A CRACKED WHEEL AND SUBSEQUENT TIRE FAILURE. I WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT MERCEDES FAILED TO TAKE AN INTEREST IN THE FAILURE. I HAVE THE WHEEL, AND HAVE A DIGITAL PHOTO OF THE FAILURE IF THAT WILL BE OF ASSISTANCE. *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
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 14, 2009
I BOUGHT A CAR AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON, ITS A 2002 C230 KOMPRESSOR 2 DOOR, AND THE DEALER SAID ITS A SENSOR FROM THE SUPERCHARGER. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 10, 2009
CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. AFTER 15 MINUTES, CAR STARTED BACK. I HAD IT DIAGNOSED AND A MODULE WAS REPLACED. 2 MONTHS LATER, THE BATTERY STARTED DRAINING. I HAD THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED AND THE BATTERY TWICE. CAR WILL WORK FOR A DAY OR TWO AND DIES AGAIN. SO MANY OTHER MERCEDES OWNERS OF C320 ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. BATTERY DYING AND CAR STALLING. *TR