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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.

About this comparison →

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
50,000 miles · Jul 8, 2006
Electrical System

THE LIGHT BULBS IN MY 2002 MERCEDES C320 ARE REPEATEDLY GOING OUT. IN THE LAST YEAR I HAVE REPLACED (OR HAD THE DEALER REPLACE) THE TRUNK LIGHT TWICE, THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHT TWICE, BOTH BRAKE LIGHTS IN THE BACK AT LEAST ONCE. IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS, WE'VE REPLACED THE FRONT LEFT TURN SIGNAL LIGHT 3 TIMES. THE DEALER CLEANED TH…

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THE LIGHT BULBS IN MY 2002 MERCEDES C320 ARE REPEATEDLY GOING OUT. IN THE LAST YEAR I HAVE REPLACED (OR HAD THE DEALER REPLACE) THE TRUNK LIGHT TWICE, THE LICENSE PLATE LIGHT TWICE, BOTH BRAKE LIGHTS IN THE BACK AT LEAST ONCE. IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS, WE'VE REPLACED THE FRONT LEFT TURN SIGNAL LIGHT 3 TIMES. THE DEALER CLEANED THE CONNECTORS LAST WEEK - SAYS THAT MERCEDES KNOWS OF A FAULTY ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR PROBLEM AND AN EXEC AT MERCEDES WAS FIRED OVER THE BAD CONTRACTOR THEY USED. CURRENTLY THE FRONT LEFT TURN SIGNAL WORKS SPORADICALLY. WE'LL BRING IT IN TO GET REPLACED AND IT WILL WORK, SO I DRIVE IT HOME AND IT STOPS WORKING AGAIN. NOW THE DEALER SAYS I MAY NEED TO REPLACE THE WARNING SOFTWARE (BIG $). HE SUGGESTED I WRITE TO YOU. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10161872

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

Mileage unknown · Jan 30, 2006
Air BagsCrashInjury

2002 MERCEDES C320 AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY ON EITHER SIDE. *TS *** NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT HAD THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED NEITHER HE NOR HIS WIFE WOULD HAVE SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY ARE …

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2002 MERCEDES C320 AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY ON EITHER SIDE. *TS *** NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT HAD THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED NEITHER HE NOR HIS WIFE WOULD HAVE SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY ARE GOING TO SEND A FACTORY INSPECTOR TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. *NM *NM

NHTSA ODI #10145334

Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 2005
Unknown Or Other

BOUGHT A 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ 320 NEW FROM A DEALER. THE PAINT IS PEELING AND RUST IS SETTING IN. SO FAR THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE HOOD AND THE ROOF. NOW THERE IS MORE PAINT PEELING ON THE RIGHT REAR PANEL AND THE GAS TANK FLAP. WHEN I INQUIRED ABOUT TRADING THE CAR IN, THE DEALER GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF $16,500 -- BECAUSE THE A…

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BOUGHT A 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ 320 NEW FROM A DEALER. THE PAINT IS PEELING AND RUST IS SETTING IN. SO FAR THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE HOOD AND THE ROOF. NOW THERE IS MORE PAINT PEELING ON THE RIGHT REAR PANEL AND THE GAS TANK FLAP. WHEN I INQUIRED ABOUT TRADING THE CAR IN, THE DEALER GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF $16,500 -- BECAUSE THE APPRAISER SAW NEW PAINT ON THE CAR, HE PRESUMED IT HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND HAD HIDDEN DAMAGED. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN HIT. I PAID ABOUT $50,000 FOR IT, WITH ALL THE UPS AND EXTRAS INCLUDING AN ONBOARD NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE CAR ONLY HAS 14,475 MILES ON IT AND IS JUST NOW QUALIFYING FOR SERVICE B. MY FRIENDS TELL ME MERCEDES ISN'T WHAT IT USED TO BE. IT IS NOW DEFINITELY DAIMLER CHRYSLER. INCLUDING THIS CAR,I HAVE PURCHASED SIX NEW MERCEDES SINCE 1985. I WILL NOT EVER BUY ANOTHER ONE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10140689

54,452 miles · Aug 23, 2005
Latches/locks/linkages

I OWN A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C320 WITH LESS THAN 55,000 MILES. ON SAT. AUG. 20, 2005 WHILE OPENING MY TRUNK WITH THE REMOTE I HEARD A STRANGE SOUND COMING FROM THE TRUNK ASSEMBLY. THE VERY NEXT DAY I WENT SHOPPING AND WENT TO PLACE MY ITEMS IN THE TRUNK AND HEARD THE SAME SOUND AGAIN. THIS TIME WHEN I GO TO CLOSE THE TRUNK IT WOUL…

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I OWN A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C320 WITH LESS THAN 55,000 MILES. ON SAT. AUG. 20, 2005 WHILE OPENING MY TRUNK WITH THE REMOTE I HEARD A STRANGE SOUND COMING FROM THE TRUNK ASSEMBLY. THE VERY NEXT DAY I WENT SHOPPING AND WENT TO PLACE MY ITEMS IN THE TRUNK AND HEARD THE SAME SOUND AGAIN. THIS TIME WHEN I GO TO CLOSE THE TRUNK IT WOULD NOT LATCH. I CALL MB 1-800 SERVICE, HOWEVER, THEY DIDN'T WANT TO COME BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT SURE THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO REPAIR IT AND STILL HAVE TO CHARGE ME FOR COMING. SO I THEN HAD TO TRY TO HOLD THE TRUNK DOWN WITH WHAT I HAD IN THE TRUNK WHICH WASN'T MUCH. WHILE TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY THE TRUNK LID SPRUNG OPEN WHICH TO ME WAS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE I HAD TO TRY TO MANEUVER MY WAY ACROSS LANES OF TRAFFIC WITH A TRUNK LID UP BLOCKING MY VIEW. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE GUY HIMSELF SAID HE DID NOT KNOW WHY THE ASSEMBLY BROKE. THE TRUNK IS NOT SOMETHING ONE USES EVERYDAY SO I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY IT BROKE ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT THE CAR IS 3 YEARS OLD. THIS SIMPLY SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. ALSO, I CHECKED THE DIFFERENT MB FORUMS AND IT APPEARS THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD SOME FORM OF PROBLEM WITH THEIR TRUNKS ALONG WITH A LAUNDRY LIST OF OTHER MALFUNCTIONS. I NOW HAVE TO PAY $ 350.00 PARTS AND LABOR FOR SOMETHING I BELIEVE IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT.

NHTSA ODI #10133932

Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2005
Unknown Or Other

CONSUMER EXPERIENCED VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C320.*MR *BF *NM *JB

NHTSA ODI #10118894

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 · Sep 7, 2004
Electrical System

THE C ONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. THE CONSUMER CALLED FOR ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE . THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE BATTERY. THE CONSUMER STARTED UP THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT HOME. THE NEXT DAY THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START UP. THE CONSUMEER HAD THE VEHICLE T…

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THE C ONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. THE CONSUMER CALLED FOR ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE . THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE BATTERY. THE CONSUMER STARTED UP THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT HOME. THE NEXT DAY THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START UP. THE CONSUMEER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED ON A DIAGNOSTIC. THE DRIVER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10091480

12,000 miles · Aug 16, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

PROBLEMS WITH DEFECTIVE ABS ON 2002 MERCEDES C320.*MR THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A NEW VEHICLE AND $5000. *NM *JB

NHTSA ODI #10089111

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.