2002 Mercedes Benz C240: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
13 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
117,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 13 complaints (15.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 7.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 7.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 7.7% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 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 | 2 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 2 |
| Interior Lighting | 2 |
| Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
Electrical System: 2; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 2; Interior Lighting: 2; Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly: 2; Air Bags: 1; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Power Train: 1; Seat Belts: 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 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 2
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 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 |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2020 | 5 |
2012: 2; 2013: 2; 2014: 2; 2016: 2; 2020: 5
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10452580 · 2012-03-21 (March 21, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C240. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT REGULATORS WERE DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 84,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10452580 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10467933 · 2012-07-27 (July 27, 2012)
THERE IS VERY LIMITED VISIBILITY FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR BECAUSE THE MIRROR IS COMPROMISED IN SOME WAY. THIS OBVIOUSLY IS A SAFETY HAZARD. ADDITIONALLY, FLUID FROM THE MIRROR LEAKED ONTO THE DOOR OF THE CAR AND I UNDERSTAND THAT IT HAS ALMOST DEFINITELY AFFECTED THE PAINT. APPARENTLY, THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM IN MERCEDES CARS. I WAS AMAZED TO DISCOVER THE REPLACEMENT COST OF THE MIRROR, WHICH EXCEEDS $600. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10467933 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10508554 · 2013-04-17 (April 17, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES C240. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AFTER FINDING NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING) BUT WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10508554 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10544120 · 2013-09-17 (September 17, 2013)
WHILE DRIVING TO GET ON THE FREEWAY FROM ON RAMP, MISS JUDGE AND LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL, VEHICLE FLIP FROM FRONT TO BACK ON THE DITCH SIDE OF THE ROAD, DRIVER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT BUT GOT THROWN OUT DUE TO SEATBELT MALFUNCTION. FRONT AIRBAG ON STEERING AND PASSENGER SIDE DID NOT DEPLOYED, DRIVER SUSTAINED BROKEN SPINAL (NECK), TRAUMA BRAIN INJURY, BROKEN COLLAR BONES, BRUISED LUNGS, TWO BROKEN ARMS TWO BROKEN LEGS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 117,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10544120 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10607855 · 2014-07-02 (July 2, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C240. THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING), ALTHOUGH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILURE WAS IDENTICAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 200,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10607855 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10614719 · 2014-07-19 (July 19, 2014)
I AM NOT SURE WHY MERCEDES IS DOING THIS. I AM SURE THE AUTO MAKER IS AWARE OF THE SITUATION AND NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS FORUMS REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE. ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. I DEMAND MERCEDES TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY CAN NOT GET AWAY CLEAN HANDS JUST LIKE ANY OTHER AUTO MAKERS. THIS ARE PEOPLE LIVES YOU ARE PLAYING WITH AND YOU AS A AUTOMAKER HAVE NO REMORSE FOR PEOPLE LIVES. THIS IS NOT A MOVIE WHERE YOU CAN JUST CALCULATE YOUR COLLATERAL DAMAGE AND GET AWAY. WILL NEV…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10614719 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10817582 · 2016-01-04 (January 4, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C240. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR AND WAS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING FLUID IN SIX DIFFERENT PLACES AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 125,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10817582 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10860098 · 2016-04-18 (April 18, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ C240. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10860098 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
19V918000 · Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Reported: 2019-12-20 (December 20, 2019)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly resulting in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V918-4126.pdf
Consequence: A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020040011.
NHTSA campaign record ↗22V954000 · Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Reported: 2022-12-23 (December 23, 2022)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and may detach.
Consequence: A detached sunroof panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall expands NHTSA recall number 19V-918. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010004, 2023010005, and 2023010006.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V874000 · Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Reported: 2024-11-19 (November 19, 2024)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and can detach.
Consequence: A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 22V-954. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120001/2/3.
NHTSA campaign record ↗