2002 Mercedes Benz CL CLASS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
19 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
55,650 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 18 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 19 complaints (31.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 1 | 5.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 5.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 2 |
| Interior Lighting | 2 |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
Suspension: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling: 4; Electrical System: 2; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 2; Interior Lighting: 2; Air Bags:Side/Window: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 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 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 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 |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 7 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
2001: 1; 2003: 1; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 7; 2008: 2; 2009: 2; 2010: 2; 2011: 2
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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 10047962 · 2003-12-24 (December 24, 2003)
THE BRAKES CHATTERED AND THE FRONT END SHIMMIED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED. THIS WAS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE ROTORS, PER DEALERSHIP. *AK *CB *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10047962 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10349271 · 2010-08-13 (August 13, 2010)
EXTENSIVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IN 2002 CL500 MERCEDES BENZ. VEHICLE SEATS MOVE ON THEIR OWN WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION. WINDOWS GO UP AND DOWN ON THEIR OWN; LOCK IN WHATEVER POSITION IT CHOSE; HYDRAULICS IN THIS VEHICLE GO UP AND DOWN AT WILL. VEHICLE WILL LEAN ON ONE SIDE, THEN DROP TO WHERE IT IS UNDRIVEABLE, THEN RAISE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE. THE KEY HAS DECODED ITSELF AND WOULD NOT START THE VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THE NEW KEY HAD TO BE RECODED AS IT STARTED THE CAR AND THEN WOULD NOT START THE CAR. BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED MORE …
Owner-reported narrative. 33,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10349271 at NHTSA ↗