2002 Mercedes Benz 320 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
11 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
47,631 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 11 complaints (27.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 27.3% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 27.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 9.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 9.1% |
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 | 3 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Structure | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
| Electrical System:Horn | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 1 |
Electrical System: 3; Steering: 2; Structure: 2; Tires: 2; Electrical System:Horn: 1; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor: 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 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 4 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 |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
2002: 1; 2003: 3; 2004: 2; 2005: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 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 10512679 · 2013-05-19 (May 19, 2013)
THE PASSENGER SEAT POWER ADJUSTMENT MODULE SHORTED, DRAINING THE BATTERY AND CAUSING A NO-START CONDITION. WHILE THIS DID NOT OCCUR WHILE STUCK IN TRAFFIC, IT EASILY COULD HAVE, CAUSING A SERIOUS HAZARD FOR MYSELF, ANY PASSENGER OR ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE SEAT MODULE HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED SO THERE IS NO LONGER THE ABILITY TO ADJUST THE SEAT AND OBTAIN PROPER CLEARANCE FROM THE AIRBAG OR TO PROPERLY ADJUST THE SEAT AND ALLOW A CHILD SEAT TO FIT AS DESIGNED IN THE REAR SEAT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 124,796 miles reported. Look up ODI 10512679 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10586611 · 2014-05-05 (May 5, 2014)
WITHOUT NOTICABLE WARNING, THE SENSOR PANEL FLASH FOR A SECOND, THEN THE CAR CAME TO A SUDDEN AND COMPLETE STOP, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF BUSY FREEWAY. AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF ROAD. AFTER TOWING TO AN EXPERIENCED MERCEDES REPAIR SHOP, THEY CONCLUDED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE POWER SHUTDOWN BY DESIGN TO PROTECT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BECAUSE THE ALTERNATOR WAS OVERCHARGIJNG. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO MERCEDES -BENZ AT MONTVALE, NJ, THEY DID NOT WANT TO DO ANY INVESTIGAT…
Owner-reported narrative. 61,526 miles reported. Look up ODI 10586611 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10029389 · 2003-07-15 (July 15, 2003)
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S WIPER BLADES, SEAT SETTINGS, STEERING PUMP. *MR DEALER NOTIFIED. *CB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10029389 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10245518 · 2008-10-15 (October 15, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ ML 320. WHILE PARKED IN THE CONTACT'S DRIVEWAY, AFTER SEVERE RAIN, WATER LEAKED APPROXIMATELY FOUR INCHES ABOVE THE OPENINGS OF THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE REAR INTERIOR DOORS. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE POWER STEERING HOSE. THE TECHNICIAN ADDED ADDITIONAL POWER STEERING FLUID INTO THE RESERVOIR, WHICH WAS EXTREMELY LOW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWERING STEERING FLUID L…
Owner-reported narrative. 79,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10245518 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10099406 · 2004-12-22 (December 22, 2004)
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT ON RAINY DAYS THE VISIBILITY WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT. *AK THERE WAS A FAILURE IN COMPUTER CHIPS, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED WITH THE POOR VISIBILITY OF THE WINDSHIELD, HORN FAILURE, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHT FAILURE, STALLING, CATALYTIC CONVERTER RATTLING, INOPERATIVE WASHER JETS, BROKEN GLOVE BOX, NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, FAULTY FUEL PUMP, LOUD WHINING NOISE FORM UNDER THE SEAT, AND A WHIRRING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE CENTER VENTS. *SC
Owner-reported narrative. 1,088 miles reported. Look up ODI 10099406 at NHTSA ↗