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2002 Mercedes Benz C320

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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.

3 crash reports3 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

68 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2010
Seats

WE HAVE A 2002 MERCEDES C320 WAGON. THE AUTOMATIC DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS DRAINED THE BATTERY COMPLETELY WHERE THE CAR WILL NOT START. WE HAVE DISCONNECTED THE MODULE SEATS SO THAT IT WILL STOP DRAINING THE BATTERY. THE REPLACEMENT FOR EACH MODULE SYSTEM FOR THE SEAT IS ABOUT $500 OR MORE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER…

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WE HAVE A 2002 MERCEDES C320 WAGON. THE AUTOMATIC DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS DRAINED THE BATTERY COMPLETELY WHERE THE CAR WILL NOT START. WE HAVE DISCONNECTED THE MODULE SEATS SO THAT IT WILL STOP DRAINING THE BATTERY. THE REPLACEMENT FOR EACH MODULE SYSTEM FOR THE SEAT IS ABOUT $500 OR MORE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECTS AS IT IS DANGEROUS IF OWNERS ARE NOT AWARE OF THE SITUATION AND LEAVE THEIR CAR PARK FOR A PERIOD OF TIME WILL CAUSE THE OWNERS NOT ABLE TO START THEIR CAR, ESPECIALLY IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10306004

92,887 miles · Dec 27, 2009
Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior Lighting

MERCEDES BENZ 2002, C320 *STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTION *SRS WARNING *SEATS MALFUNCTION *BRAKE AND OIL FLUID MISLEADING INFO *BATTERY DRAIN *TURNING SIGNALS REQUIRING NEW HARNESS THAT COST A LOT $$$. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10297061

85,000 miles · Sep 2, 2009
Electrical SystemSeats

SEAT CONTROL UNITS DRAINING THE BATTERY IF CAR IS PARKED. CAR WILL NOT START IF PARKED FOR MORE THEN 24H. DRAIN AMPS BETWEEN 1.2 AND 1.4 AMPS. HAD TO DISCONNECT THE SEAT MODULES, NOW SEATS CAN'T BE ADJUSTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10282614

74,500 miles · Aug 10, 2009
Electrical System

CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. AFTER 15 MINUTES, CAR STARTED BACK. I HAD IT DIAGNOSED AND A MODULE WAS REPLACED. 2 MONTHS LATER, THE BATTERY STARTED DRAINING. I HAD THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED AND THE BATTERY TWICE. CAR WILL WORK FOR A DAY OR TWO AND DIES AGAIN. SO MANY OTHER MERCEDES OWNERS OF …

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CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. AFTER 15 MINUTES, CAR STARTED BACK. I HAD IT DIAGNOSED AND A MODULE WAS REPLACED. 2 MONTHS LATER, THE BATTERY STARTED DRAINING. I HAD THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED AND THE BATTERY TWICE. CAR WILL WORK FOR A DAY OR TWO AND DIES AGAIN. SO MANY OTHER MERCEDES OWNERS OF C320 ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. BATTERY DYING AND CAR STALLING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10279868

Mileage unknown · May 20, 2009
Latches/locks/linkagesPower TrainStructure

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

76,000 miles · May 18, 2009
Electrical System

BATTERY DRAINING, OFFICIAL DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY WHAT IS CAUSING DRAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10269004

79,500 miles · Apr 29, 2009
Electrical System

BATTERY GOES DEAD AFTER A FEW DAYS: MAJOR CAUSE IS ELECTRICAL POWER DRAIN DUE TO FAULTY UNITS, MAJOR CAUSE BUT NOT ONLY CAUSE IS THE SEAT CONTROL MODULE UNIT. QUICK FIX IS TO DISCONNECT TO ELIMINATE POWER DRAIN BUT THIS CAUSES OTHER SAFETY FEATURES TO GO DORMANT. I HAVE READ MORE THAN 100 REPORTS ON BENZWORLD.ORG ON THE VERY SAM…

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BATTERY GOES DEAD AFTER A FEW DAYS: MAJOR CAUSE IS ELECTRICAL POWER DRAIN DUE TO FAULTY UNITS, MAJOR CAUSE BUT NOT ONLY CAUSE IS THE SEAT CONTROL MODULE UNIT. QUICK FIX IS TO DISCONNECT TO ELIMINATE POWER DRAIN BUT THIS CAUSES OTHER SAFETY FEATURES TO GO DORMANT. I HAVE READ MORE THAN 100 REPORTS ON BENZWORLD.ORG ON THE VERY SAME ISSUE WITH LITTLE OR NO SOLUTION FROM DEALERSHIPS. ITS A MAJOR AND COMMON PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE RECALLED BEFORE PEOPLE GET HURT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10267261

96,000 miles · Jan 11, 2009
Electrical System

2002 MERCEDES BENZ C320 STATION WAGON: FAILURE TO KEEP A CHARGE IN THE BATTERY, AND APPARENTLY THE SOLUTION IS TO DISCONNECT THE POWER SEATS AND THEN RECHARGE THE BATTERY. BUT THEN THE POWER SEATS ARE INOPERABLE, UNLESS YOU GET THESE REPLACED. APPARENTLY, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10254641

72,000 miles · Jan 10, 2009
Seats

FAULTY SEAT CONTROLLER OF A MERCEDES C32 AMG, DRAINS CAR BATTERY OVERNIGHT, CAUSES NEW BATTERY REPLACEMENT AND CONTROLLER REPLACEMENT (NOT CHEAP - APPR $400). NO NEW CONTROLLER PURCHASED FROM MB USA, JUST DISCONNECTED PLUG (MOVING SEAT IS INOPERABLE). I NOTICED ALMOST ALL US MERCEDES BENZ VEHICLES WITH THAT BODY STYLE (W203) HAV…

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FAULTY SEAT CONTROLLER OF A MERCEDES C32 AMG, DRAINS CAR BATTERY OVERNIGHT, CAUSES NEW BATTERY REPLACEMENT AND CONTROLLER REPLACEMENT (NOT CHEAP - APPR $400). NO NEW CONTROLLER PURCHASED FROM MB USA, JUST DISCONNECTED PLUG (MOVING SEAT IS INOPERABLE). I NOTICED ALMOST ALL US MERCEDES BENZ VEHICLES WITH THAT BODY STYLE (W203) HAVE THAT ISSUE. SOURCES: BAY AREA DEALERSHIPS, A REPAIR SHOP AND ONLINE FORUMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10254495

65,000 miles · Jan 5, 2009
Seats

CAR BATTERY DRAINS DUE TO A SHORT IN THE POWER SEAT CONTROL UNITS IN MY 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C320. REPLACED BATTERY, RECHARGED BATTERY NUMEROUS TIMES. EVERY OTHER OWNER OF THIS MAKE / MODEL COMPLAINS OF SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10253898

Official recalls

3

24V874000 · Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly

Nov 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 & 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.

22V954000 · Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly

Dec 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 & 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.

19V918000 · Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly

Dec 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 & 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.