Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
40–25K
925–50K
1050–75K
1375–100K
6100–150K
0150K+
42 reports with mileage · 26 unknown
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 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Seats. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electronic Stability Control (esc). Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY AS WELL THE POWER SEAT MODULE DRAINING THE BATTERY WITH NUMEROUS JUMP STARTS. THIS OCCURRED JUST TWO WEEKS AFTER GLADLY PURCHASING MY "FIVE POINT CERTIFIED" 2002 C320 WAGON. MERCEDES BENZ OF GREENSBORO ALSO WOULD NOT FIX CHIPPING ON THE FRON…
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I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY AS WELL THE POWER SEAT MODULE DRAINING THE BATTERY WITH NUMEROUS JUMP STARTS. THIS OCCURRED JUST TWO WEEKS AFTER GLADLY PURCHASING MY "FIVE POINT CERTIFIED" 2002 C320 WAGON. MERCEDES BENZ OF GREENSBORO ALSO WOULD NOT FIX CHIPPING ON THE FRONT BUMPER. STATES BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS LOW PROFILE THE BUMPER SUSTAINED THIS EXTENSIVE PEELING AS A RESULT. PEELING IS LOCATED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT TOP TO BOTTOM. SERVICE DEPT MANAGER ACKNOWLEDGED THE FACT THAT DEALERSHIP DID A POOR JOB AT REPAIRING THE PRE-EXISTING DAMAGE PRIOR TO SELLING. AFTER ONE CARWASH THE CHIPPING WAS VERY NOTICEABLE AND INCREASED WITH EACH WASH. THE SALEMANS WOULD NOT AGREE. PAINT STILL PEELING AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. I HAVE REFUSED TO PAY FOR A PRE-EXISTING PROBLEM, BUT WILL PROBABLY INCUR THIS EXPENSE JUST TO TRADE THE CAR. THE TRUNK MAKES A HORRIBLE RATTLING NOISE WHILE TRAVELING AT LOW OR HIGH SPEED. NUMEROUS LIGHTS REPLACED OVER THE PAST 2 YEARS. REAR VIEW MIRROR WILL NOT LOCK INTO POSITION WHEN INTERIOR OF CAR EXCEED 60-70 DEGREES BECAUSE RUBBER SEAL BECOMES TOO HOT. ALSO AT STATED TEMPERATURE THE DIGITAL MESSAGE BOARD BECOMES OBSCURE AND UNREADABLE. TIRES NEEDING TO BE REPLACED OFTEN. EMISSIONS PROBLEMS, TRULY THE LIST GOES ON. IN FACT, THE REASON I'M POSTING THIS COMPLAINT IS BECAUSE I HAVE THE TIME TO. MY CAR IS SITTING OUTSIDE AND WILL NOT START. POSSIBLY FUEL PUMP/SENSOR- A $700 REPAIR. I'M TIRED AND HAVE REACHED MY LIMIT WITH THE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS, TRULY. PERSONALLY FEEL INJURED AFTER SUSTAINING SUCH UNFAIR TREATMENT AND INCONVENIENCE AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO NEGOTIATE REPAIRS. PRAYERFULLY EXPECTING RECALLS AND FULL RESTITUTION FOR THE MONEY TIED UP IN THIS VEHICLE, BE IT FROM THE MANUFACTURER OR DEALERSHIP. ALL DOCUMENTATION OF SERVICE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. THE INTEGRITY OF MB ALONG WITH ITS REPUTATION HAS PROVEN NOT TO BE ONE OF IT LONG STATED HISTORY. SADLY, I AM DISAPPOINTED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10269559
Mileage unknown · May 18, 2006
Electrical SystemPower Train
THE TRANSMISSION HAS REPEATEDLY LOCKED IN 2ND GEAR. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHOWS CONSTANT LIGHT, COOLANT AND AIR BAG FAILURES. THE MEMORY FOR SEATS, MIRRORS AND THE STEERING WHEEL DEFAULTS ABOUT 30% OF THE TIME. I BOUGHT THIS CAR THROUGH M-B DIPLOMATIC SALES PROGRAM WHILE SERVING IN CANADA AND BROUGHT IT TO THE USA ON RETIREME…
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THE TRANSMISSION HAS REPEATEDLY LOCKED IN 2ND GEAR. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHOWS CONSTANT LIGHT, COOLANT AND AIR BAG FAILURES. THE MEMORY FOR SEATS, MIRRORS AND THE STEERING WHEEL DEFAULTS ABOUT 30% OF THE TIME. I BOUGHT THIS CAR THROUGH M-B DIPLOMATIC SALES PROGRAM WHILE SERVING IN CANADA AND BROUGHT IT TO THE USA ON RETIREMENT. M-B CANADA WON'T HELP BECAUSE THE CAR IS IN THE US. M-B USA WON'T HELP BECAUSE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN CANADA. M-B CORPORATE IN GERMANY SIMPLY REFERRED MY CASE BACK TO M-B USA. I AM NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. I WANT M-B TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ANOTHER 4 YEARS OR 50K MILES. THE CAR IS A DISASTER. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10157796
36,000 miles · Mar 28, 2005
Power Train
I LEASED A 2002 MERCEDES C32 IN DECEMBER OF 2002. ITS A DOCUMENTED FACT MERCEDES HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING A HIGH NUMBER OF DEFECT COMPLAINTS WITH THIS MODEL CAR. RECENTLY FOR ME WAS THE MOST SERIOUS.. ON DECEMBER 26TH 2004, WHILE MERGING ONTO A MAJOR HIGHWAY(I95) MY CAR'S AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WENT INTO NEUTRAL WHILE IN THE DRIVE …
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I LEASED A 2002 MERCEDES C32 IN DECEMBER OF 2002. ITS A DOCUMENTED FACT MERCEDES HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING A HIGH NUMBER OF DEFECT COMPLAINTS WITH THIS MODEL CAR. RECENTLY FOR ME WAS THE MOST SERIOUS.. ON DECEMBER 26TH 2004, WHILE MERGING ONTO A MAJOR HIGHWAY(I95) MY CAR'S AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WENT INTO NEUTRAL WHILE IN THE DRIVE POSITION. I HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY PUT THE CAR INTO PARK THEN BACK TO DRIVE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. I NOTIFIED MERCEDES ON 12/27, AT AN APPOINTMENT I HAD PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED FOR OTHER PROBLEMS. MERCEDES AFTER HOLDING THE CAR FOR A WEEK DIAGNOSED IT AS A TRANSMISSION CONTROL ISSUE. I HAD TO WAIT FOUR WEEKS FOR A REPLACEMENT TO ARRIVE FROM GERMANY. IN JANUARY 2005, WHILE WAITING FOR THIS PART TO ARRIVE THE SAME INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE MERGING ONTO THE SAME HIGHWAY THE CAR WENT INTO NEUTRAL. I AGAIN FOUND MYSELF ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD RESOLVING THE PROBLEM.AT THE END OF JANUARY MY CAR WAS FINALLY FIXED BY MERCEDES, I RECEIVED THE CAR ON A TUESDAY. ON THE FOLLOWING SUNDAY I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT, PUT THE CAR INTO PARK AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. MY CAR JUMPED A 10 INCH HIGH CURB AND WHEN I TRIED TO GET THE IGNITION IT DID NOT RESPOND. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MERCEDES WHO DIAGNOSED A BROKEN TRANSMISSION PIN. I DROVE THE CAR FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS WHICH THE FEAR OF THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM RECURRING. I EVENTUALLY STOPPED DRIVING THE CAR AND CONTACTED MERCEDES. I ASKED THEM TO CONSIDER TAKING THE CAR BACK, ITS HAS 8 MONTHS REMAINING ON A 3 YEAR LEASE. THEY IN TURN TOOK THE CAR FOR A WEEK DROVE IT FOR 60 MILES THEN DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN RESOLVED. IN MY RIGHT MIND I CANNOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE FOR FEAR OF KILLING MYSELF AND OTHERS. MERCEDES HAS WASHED THEIR HANDS OF THIS SITUATION. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10115959
Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
MERCEDES BENZ C320 EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION, ACCELERATOR, AND A FLUID LEAK.*MR ANSWERING 10118894 AAE 4-27-05 THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A VALVE NOISE, A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVESHAFT, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE LEAK CAUSED SOME WIRES TO BECOME LOOSE WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVESHAFT TO NOISY. THE CON…
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MERCEDES BENZ C320 EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION, ACCELERATOR, AND A FLUID LEAK.*MR ANSWERING 10118894 AAE 4-27-05 THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A VALVE NOISE, A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVESHAFT, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE LEAK CAUSED SOME WIRES TO BECOME LOOSE WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVESHAFT TO NOISY. THE CONSUMER HEARD AN UNUSUAL NOISE WHEN HE ACCELERATED, BUT THE NOISE DECREASED WHEN HE DECELERATED, SECONDS LATER THE ACCELERATOR DID NOT RESPOND AS IF THE VEHICLE WERE IN NEUTRAL. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED WITH THE TRANSMISSION. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10119224
Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2002
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE IN THE REAR, AND THERES A WHISTLING NOISE. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED DIFFERENTIAL TO STOP THE WHISTLING. SHAKING IS STILL OCCURING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
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 & remedy
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.
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 & remedy
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.
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 & remedy
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.
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 C320 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year