2002 Mercedes Benz 240: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
26 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
37,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 26 complaints (19.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 26.9% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 19.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 11.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 7.7% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 7.7% |
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 | 5 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 1 |
| Back Over Prevention:Warnings:External/Pedestrian Alert | 1 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 |
Electrical System: 5; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Air Bags: 2; Air Bags:Side/Window: 1; Back Over Prevention:Warnings:External/Pedestrian Alert: 1; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 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 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 15 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 |
| 2002 | 8 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
2001: 1; 2002: 8; 2003: 4; 2004: 4; 2005: 3; 2006: 1; 2007: 3; 2008: 1; 2009: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10002676 · 2003-01-14 (January 14, 2003)
DRIVER'S AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY - FRONT END COLLISION AT A SPEED OF BETWEEN 40 AND 45 MILES PER HOUR. CAR HAS BEEN DETERMINED TO BE TOTALLED.
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002676 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008164 · 2003-02-26 (February 26, 2003)
MY FINGER WAS PARTIALLY AMUPUTATED - SURGERY REQUIRED. I HAD BEEN STANDING OUTSIDE OF MY PARKED CAR WHEN THE DOOR CLOSED ON MY FINGER. WHEN THE CAR WAS BROUGHT INTO THE DEALERSHIP REPAIR FOLLOWING THE INJURY BECASUE SEVERAL FRIENDS SAID THE CAR DOOR WAS NOT CLOSING PROPERLY, THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT MY INNER CAR DOOR MOLDING HAD TO BE REPLACED ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS. FROM THE BEGINNING OF MY LEASE OF THE C-240, 2002 AUTO THERE WERE AT LEAST THREE OTHER INCIDENTS WHEN THE CAR DOORS NEEDED REPAIR. ONCE AT MY HOME BECAU…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10008164 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10023709 · 2003-06-24 (June 24, 2003)
I HAVE HAD MY C230 COUPE IN THE SHOP AT ED POTTER MERCEDES COLUMBUS, OH SEVERAL TIMES. FOUR WEEKS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR THE WHEELS WERE SO OUT OF ALIGNMENT THAT THE CARS JUMPED LANES, REPEATEDLY I WAS ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE THE TERRIBLE 'PULL' EVEN WITH MR. POTTER IN THE CAR - NEVER COULD THEY FIX IT. THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED TWICE, THE STRUT WAS REPLACED, I HAD TO BUY NEW TIRES ($1,277) AFTER 20K MILES, RIGHT NOW IT'S IN THE SHOP, THE SEAL AROUND THE ROOF HAS TO BE REPLACED, THE FRONT SWAY BARS WERE REPLACED, THE RUBBER BUSHINGS ARE BEING RE…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,145 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023709 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10048979 · 2003-12-01 (December 1, 2003)
I HAVE HAD A STRING OF PROBLEMS EVER SINCE I PURCHASED MY 2002 MERCEDES C240. I HAVE HAD THE PANIC ALARM FAIL IN A PARKING LOT (FORTUNATELY I HAD PEPPER SPRAY), I HAVE HAD MY SEAT RETRACT ALL THE WAY BACK AND GET STUCK (I HAVE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER WITH PILLOWS AND BLANKETS BEHIND ME) AND HAVE HAD TO TURN OFF THAT CAR FEATURE SO IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN! MY KEY STOPPED UNLOCKING MY DOOR DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE KEY SO I WAS HAVING TO LEAVE MY DOORS UNLOCKED. MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS FOR DOORS, SUNROOF, ETC. COMES UNSYNCED ABOUT ONCE EVERY OTHER …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10048979 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10053665 · 2004-01-08 (January 8, 2004)
JACK COLLAPSED THREE TIMES WHILE CHANGING TIRE, CAR ALMOST LANDED ON LEG. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 37,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10053665 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10075851 · 2004-06-03 (June 3, 2004)
PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE SURGING AND STALLING. *MR THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED VAPOR LOCK. THE FUEL IN THE FUEL LINES TO THE ENGINE VAPORIZED DUE TO HIGH TEMPERATURES. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL AND OR SURGE. MERCEDES CLAIMED THAT THE FUEL IN MINNESOTA WAS THE CAUSE OF THIS CONDITION. THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY DIE, INTERMITTENTLY RESTART AND STALL AGAIN. ACCIDENTS HAD ALMOST BEEN CAUSED BY THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED. ANOTHER SERVICE DEALER FOUND A CODE FOR MISFIRE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10075851 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10082492 · 2004-07-22 (July 22, 2004)
(1) EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE ARE UNKNOWN. THE CAR IS BRAND NEW AND HAS ABOUT 25,000 MILES. THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT WAS STARTING TO RAIN. (2) ON THE HIGHWAY, A BAS AND ESP MALFUNCTION ERROR OCCURRED. THE CAR THEN 10 SECS LATER SPUNG OUT OF CONTROL CAUSING THE CAR TO HIT THE GAURD RAIL ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN THE REAR, FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. (3) CURRENTLY, THE CAR IS WORKING. NO MALFUNTION ERRORS ARE OCCURRING. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM IS STILL UNKNOWN. NO PARTS WERE REPAIRED OR REPLACED THAT DEAL WITH THE BAS AND ESP SYSTEM IN T…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10082492 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10082494 · 2004-07-22 (July 22, 2004)
(1) CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. CAR DID NOT START. CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND WHILE WAITING FOR THE TECHNICIAN TO CALL, THE CAR STARTED (AFTER 45 MINUTES). I DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE DEALER DID NOT FIND ANY FAULT CODES. I DROVE THE CAR TO WORK AND THE CAR STOPPED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY (2) THE CAR SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. ENGINE SHUT OFF. ELECTRICAL POWER STILL ON AS RADIO STILL OPERATING. I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND KEENLY DODGED TRAFFIC AND PARKED ON THE HIGHWAY SHOULDER. (3) I REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10082494 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.