2002 Mercedes Benz 320: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10008238 · 2003-02-28 (February 28, 2003)
SPONTANEOUS RUPTURE OF CONTINENTAL RADIAL TIRE.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10008238 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 10050786 · 2003-12-19 (December 19, 2003)
SEAT DOES NOT RETURN TO THE PRESET POSITION WITH KEY ACTIVATION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10050786 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10079044 · 2004-06-30 (June 30, 2004)
I WAS DRIVING CAR WITH CONTINENTAL CONTI TOURING TIRES (SIZE 205/65R16) AT SPEED OF ABOUT 60 MILES AN HOUR. SUDDENLY RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW UP. ON INSPECTION THERE WAS NO PUNCTURE AND SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE HAD BLOWN UP. CONTINENTAL INDICATED THAT CAUSE OF THE BLOW OUT WAS UNDETERMINED AND THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 7,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10079044 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 ↗
Owner report 10119629 · 2005-05-03 (May 3, 2005)
THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE BURNED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OIL. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10119629 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 10262947 · 2009-03-24 (March 24, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ 320. IN NOVEMBER OF 2008, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V121000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS) AND TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INSTALLED A NEW HOSE CLAMP ON THE POWER STEERING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING COOLER. ONE MONTH LATER, SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE. SHE WENT TO THE NEAREST MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS COMPLETELY DRY AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS DAMAGED. ONE WEEK LATER, THE CONTAC…
Owner-reported narrative. 47,631 miles reported. Look up ODI 10262947 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.