2002 Mercedes Benz CLK320 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
16 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
59,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 16 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 12.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 6.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 6.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring: Rear Compartment/Trunk | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch | 1 |
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 4; Electrical System: 3; Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module: 1; Electrical System:Wiring: Rear Compartment/Trunk: 1; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch: 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 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 2
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 5 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 | 2 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
2002: 2; 2004: 2; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 3; 2008: 3; 2009: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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 11040268 · 2017-10-26 (October 26, 2017)
WE HAD A BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM LINE THAT CONNECTS TO THE ALUMINUM INTAKE WITH A PLASTIC FITTING ON A 2002 MERCEDES CLK320 (173K MILES) THAT GOT BRITTLE AND BROKE. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS INJURED OR KILLED. I'M AN EX-MECHANIC AND HAVE NEVER SEEN PLASTIC FITTING USED FOR THE VACUUM LINE TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER ON THE ENGINE. OVER TIME THIS WILL GET BRITTLE AND BREAK. THIS VACUUM LINE DOES 2 THINGS, #1 IT KEEPS THE CAR RUNNING WITH NORMAL POWER, #2 ALLOWS YOU TO HAVE BRAKES THAT OPERATE NORMALLY. I HAVE DONE A QUICK SEARCH AND IT'S NOT JUST MERCEDES, OT…
Owner-reported narrative. 173,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11040268 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 770545 · 2002-12-06 (December 6, 2002)
MY MAJOR CONCERN IS WITH REGARD TO THE FAILURE OF ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL WHILE DRIVING IN THE SNOW DURING THE SNOW STORM ON DEC 5TH. THESE SYSTEMS ARE SUPPOSED TO PROVIDE A LAYER OF SAFETY IN THESE CONDITIONS. WHEN I CONTACTED MERCEDES ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE SENSORS MUST HAVE GOTTEN WET AND THEREFORE MADE THE SYSTEM INOPERABLE. THEN DOES THIS MEAN THAT THERE IS AN INHERRENT DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HOPE YOU WILL TAKE A LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM, BEFORE ANYONE ELSE HAS TO GO THROUGH A NIGHTMARE DRIVING SITUATION…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 770545 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10164947 · 2006-08-08 (August 8, 2006)
WHEN DRIVING ON RTE 6 IN HYANNIS, MASSACHUSETTS IN MY MERCEDES CLK 430 (THE DROP DOWN OPTIONS ONLY INCLUDE CLK 320) , THE "BATTERY ALTERNATOR" LIGHT WENT ON ON THE DASHBOARD. WITHIN SECONDS THE ENTIRE CAR SHUT DOWN AT HIGH SPEED. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO ONE IN THE RIGHT LANE AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITH A VERY HARD STOP ONTO THE SHOULDER. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THERE WAS AN "OPEN RECALL" ON MY CAR FOR PRECISELY THIS PROBLEM. I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO FIND OUT WHY I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. THEY CLAIMED THERE WAS NO …
Owner-reported narrative. 42,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10164947 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10695181 · 2015-03-18 (March 18, 2015)
WHILE ON MY WAY TO WORK I STOP TO GET GAS. I GET IN MY CAR TO LEAVE AND KEY WILL NOT TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. ALSO STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. I WAS STRANDED AND HAD CAR TOWED THE MB DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID FIRST I HAVE TO BUY NEW KEY BEFORE THEY DO ANYTHING WHICH COST ME $380. GOT NEW KEY AND THAT WASN'T THE PROBLEM. THEN THEY SAID MY EIS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THEY REPLACED THE EIS, THEN I GET A CALL SAYING CAR STILL WILL NOT START. NOW THEY SAY I NEED A ESL(ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK) NOW MY TOTAL JUMPED UP TO 2,200. I AM SO DISAPPOINTED THAT ALL THESE…
Owner-reported narrative. 98,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10695181 at NHTSA ↗