2002 Mercedes Benz 230 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
4 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
66,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 4 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 50.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 50.0% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 50.0% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 25.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 1 |
| Parking Brake | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Seats | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
Electrical System: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 1; Parking Brake: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Seats: 1; Steering: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 1 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
2007: 2; 2009: 1; 2013: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10196144 · 2007-07-11 (July 11, 2007)
THE C230 MERCEDES BENZ 2002 STARTED LURCHING WHEN COMING TO A STOP. UPON BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THEY DID A GLYCOL TEST ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID TO FIND GLYCOL IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE CAUSE WAS DUE TO A LEAK IN THE RADIATOR TO THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER. REPAIRS CURRENTLY INCLUDED A NEW RADIATOR, TRANSMISSION FLUSH, AND A NEW TRANSMISSION MODULE FOR ABOUT $2100, IF THAT DIDN'T WORK THEN A TORQUE CONVERTER FOR ANOTHER $2700. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 66,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10196144 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10282967 · 2009-09-05 (September 5, 2009)
PRIOR TO FOLLOWING INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE, A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C230 KOMPRESSOR HAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL FAILURES RESULTING IN THE COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE, POWER STEERING, SRS SYSTEM, CAR LOCKS, AND BRAKING SYSTEMS. THE AFOREMENTIONED FAILURES IN BRAKING, POWER STEERING WHICH RESULTED IN TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING HAVE OCCURRED 6 TIMES WITHIN A 2 MONTH PERIOD (AUGUST 15TH 2009- SEPTEMBER 5TH 2009). THE MOST RECENT EVENT IS LISTED BELOW. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT A GAS STATION ON SEPTEMBER 5TH 2009 AT 10:…
Owner-reported narrative. 71,004 miles reported. Look up ODI 10282967 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10496711 · 2013-02-07 (February 7, 2013)
DRIVER AND PASSENGER POWER SEAT MODULES DRAIN BATTERY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10496711 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10200371 · 2007-08-21 (August 21, 2007)
MY 2002 MERCEDES 230 SLK FAILED TO START, STRANDED MY WIFE, BECAUSE OF A FAILURE IN THE IGNITION LOCK AND STEERING INTERLOCK. THIS IS THE SECOND FAILURE IN 50,000 MILES. *TR UPDATED 09/11/07 *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 51,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10200371 at NHTSA ↗