Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 2 of 2 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
2 reports
85,209 miles · Mar 14, 2014
Electrical System
ELECTRONIC KEY FAILED TO TURN IN IGNITION. DEALER SERVICE MANAGER SAID IT MAY BE IGNITION SWITCH PRONE TO FAILURE. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER : PB805711 FOR THE IGNITION SYSTEM. IN THE LIGHT OF SERIOUS GM RECALL CONTROVERSY I AM CONCERNED THAT IF IGNITION FAILURE IS OCCURRING AT START TIME, IT MAY ALSO FAIL AT RUNNING SP…
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ELECTRONIC KEY FAILED TO TURN IN IGNITION. DEALER SERVICE MANAGER SAID IT MAY BE IGNITION SWITCH PRONE TO FAILURE. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER : PB805711 FOR THE IGNITION SYSTEM. IN THE LIGHT OF SERIOUS GM RECALL CONTROVERSY I AM CONCERNED THAT IF IGNITION FAILURE IS OCCURRING AT START TIME, IT MAY ALSO FAIL AT RUNNING SPEED CAUSING ENGINE, AIRBAGS, BRAKES AND STEERING TO STOP WORKING. GM FAILURE SEEMS TO BE MECHANICAL AND WHILE MERCEDES SEEMS TO BE ELECTRONIC, THE EFFECT COULD BE JUST AS DISASTROUS WITH RESULTING ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10569239
75,000 miles · May 31, 2013
Engine
BOTH COIL PACKS DEFECTIVE, THE GARAGE TOLD ME THAT THE ONE DISINTEGRATED, AND THE OTHER COIL PACK, I SMELLED WHAT SMELLED LIKE A FIRE DURING TEST DRIVE AFTER THE FIRST COIL PACK WAS REPLACED. THE SECOND ONE WENT BAD, THEY SAID IT WAS ARCING, AND WOULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE. ALTHOUGH, IT WAS AT A MERCEDES DEALER IN ROCHESTER NY, THE…
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BOTH COIL PACKS DEFECTIVE, THE GARAGE TOLD ME THAT THE ONE DISINTEGRATED, AND THE OTHER COIL PACK, I SMELLED WHAT SMELLED LIKE A FIRE DURING TEST DRIVE AFTER THE FIRST COIL PACK WAS REPLACED. THE SECOND ONE WENT BAD, THEY SAID IT WAS ARCING, AND WOULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE. ALTHOUGH, IT WAS AT A MERCEDES DEALER IN ROCHESTER NY, THEY DIDN'T OFFER TO PAY FOR THE DEFECTIVE PART. THROUGH RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I FIND THAT THESE COIL PACKS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR GOING BAD WITH LOW MILEAGE. ONE DISINTEGRATED AND CAUSED MISFIRE, AND THE OTHER APPARENTLY CAUSED A FIRE THAT CAUSED IT TO GO BAD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10514497
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2002 Mercedes Benz 215 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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