2002 Mercedes Benz C CLASS: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
31 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
65,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 21 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 31 complaints (22.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 19.4% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 12.9% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 12.9% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 9.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 9.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 6.5% |
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 | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 5 |
| Seats | 5 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 |
| Suspension | 4 |
| Tires | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Power Train | 2 |
Electrical System: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling: 5; Seats: 5; Fuel System, Gasoline: 4; Suspension: 4; Tires: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Power Train: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 10 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 | 5 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
2002: 5; 2003: 4; 2004: 3; 2005: 1; 2006: 2; 2007: 3; 2008: 4; 2009: 3; 2011: 3; 2013: 2; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 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 10003576 · 2003-01-28 (January 28, 2003)
ESP & BAS WARNING MESSAGES APPEARED ON THE MESSAGE SCREEN TWICE, ONCE ON 1-20-03 & AGAIN ON 1-27-03, THE FIRST TIME DEALER SAID IT CAN HAPPEN IF YOU DIDN'T TIGHTEN THE GAS CAP. ON BOTH OCCASIONS, THE MESSAGES WERE GONE THE NEXT DAY. ON 1-27-03 I CALLED RALLYE MOTORS TO TELL THEM & I HAVE AN APPT FOR MARCH 10, 2003.
Owner-reported narrative. 6,670 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003576 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004900 · 2003-01-29 (January 29, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING MY C-240 BETWEEN 30 & 60 MPH I CAN FEEL A VIBRATION ON THE SHIFT LEVER & THE STEERING WHEEL & IF PUT MY HAND ON TOP OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. YOU CAN SENSE THE VIBRATION AROUND YOU. IT SEEMS TO COME FROM THE POWER TRAIN, VIA DRIVE SHAFT, TRANS. OR DIFFERENTIAL, THE DEALER REPLACED & BALANCED ALL FOUR TIRES, AND IT I THUOGHT IT WAS CORRECTED BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSITS SOMETIMES IT IS MORE NOTICIBLE THAN OTHERS, I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT BUT ON A TEST DRIVE THE SERVICE MAN SAID HE CAN'T FEEL ANYTHI…
Owner-reported narrative. 674 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004900 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10014381 · 2003-04-14 (April 14, 2003)
3/03 WITHIN 3 MONTHS OF PURCHASING MY 2002 C-240, THE AIR CONDITIONING STOPPED WORKING, FUEL GAUGE FAILED, HEADLIGHT WASHER BROKE, AND ONE OF THE VENTS ON THE DASH FELL APART. TOOK IN FOR SERVICE AND WAS GIVEN ANOTHER 2002 C-240, AND WHILE DRIVING THE LOANER CAR IN THE MOUNTAINS, IT BEGAN DOWN SHIFTING ITSELF AND THERE WAS NO POWER. CAR WOULD COME TO COMPLETE STOP AND THEN WOULD START MOVING AGAIN. HAPPENED 6 TIMES. MERCEDES DEALER THOUGHT WAS ISOLATED INCIDENT. I FELT IT WAS VERY SERIOUS AS I WAS ON INTERSTATE WHEN IT WOULD SUDDENLY STOP …
Owner-reported narrative. 8,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10014381 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10049880 · 2003-12-02 (December 2, 2003)
WHEN DRIVING 15 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. 15 SECONDS LATER, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. DUE TO SEVERE FIRE DAMAGE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10049880 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10065172 · 2004-03-30 (March 30, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE ON ONE OCCASION, BUT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED THE SECOND TIME. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 39,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10065172 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10069842 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
IN OCTOBER OF 2001, I PURCHASED A NEW (2002) MERCEDES BENZ C-240. IT CAME EQUIPPED WITH GERMAN MADE CONTINENTAL CONTOURING TIRES. IT IS WITH THESE TIRES THAT I AM EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM. I HAVE 19,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND ALREADY HAVE HAD TWO SLOW LEAKS IN TWO DIFFERENT TIRES (PASSENGER SIDE FRONT/REAR). THE FIRST TIRE LEAKED (AT ABOUT 17,000 MILES) BUT ABLE TO BE PATCHED. WHEN I BROUGHT THE SECOND TIRE INTO AN STS TIRE DEALER, I NOTICED THAT THEY SOLD CONTINENTAL TIRES. SINCE I HAD THE TWO PROBLEMS, I ASKED THE MANAGER IF THEY SOLD MANY …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10069842 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10070703 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
THE 1ST INCIDENT; MY MERCEDES C240 WAS ONLY 2 MONTHS NEW. 2ND INCIDENT AT 10.5 MOS, 3RD: EXACLTY 1 YEAR, 4TH: 1 YR/3 WKS, 5TH: 13 MOS. ALL 5 TIMES THE CAR EXPERIENCED THE SAME EXACT DYING OUT OF THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING, & BRAKES. 3 OF THE 5 INCIDENTS THE CAR WOULD NOT START & REQUIRED A TOW TO THE DEALER, HAVING THE DEALERS WORK ON THE CAR ONLY TO HAVE THE CAR DIE OUT AGAIN. BIGGEST COMPLAINT BESIDES MINE, MY CHILDREN, & OTHER FELLOW FREEWAY TRAVELERS LIVES BEING IN DANGER IS THE LACK AND DIS…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10070703 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10138641 · 2005-10-05 (October 5, 2005)
I PURCHASED GOODYEAR AMERICAN EAGLE TIRES FROM WALMART IN BIG RAPIDS, MICHIGAN ON 11-18-04. THE TIRES WERE SIZE P20555R16BW AND INSTALLED ON MY 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C240 SEDAN. ON 10/2/05 I NOTICED A FLAT TIRE ON THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF MY CAR. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION IT BECAME APPARENT THERE WAS A CRACK AROUND THE ENTIRE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE TIRE ABOUT AN INCH AWAY FROM THE RIM ON THE INSIDE SIDEWALL. THE DEPTH OF THE CRACK WAS ALL THE WAY TO THE STEEL BELTS. AFTER INSPECTING THE REMAINING THREE TIRES I DISCOVERED THEY WERE ALL CRACKED IN T…
Owner-reported narrative. 75,296 miles reported. Look up ODI 10138641 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.