VehicleVerdict

2002 Mercedes-Benz C240 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 16 complaints on file for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz C240 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

16

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other C240 years?

C240 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted39 complaints2001: 11 complaints2002: 16 complaints2003: 29 complaints2004: 31 complaints2005: 39 complaints2007: 1 complaints
C240 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all C240 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Mercedes-Benz C240 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System531%
Visibility & Wipers425%
Lighting213%
Body & Structure16%
Transmission16%
Seats16%
Seat Belts16%
Airbags16%

Does the 2002 Mercedes-Benz C240 have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

24V874000Visibility & WipersNovember 19, 2024 · 33,456 units

Defect

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.

22V954000Visibility & WipersDecember 23, 2022 · 131,653 units

Defect

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.

19V918000Visibility & WipersDecember 20, 2019 · 747,928 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 25, 2013 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · July 23, 2012

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · March 9, 2005

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 4, 2015

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · August 25, 2013 · crash

2002 Mercedes-Benz C240 — common questions

Is the 2002 Mercedes-Benz C240 reliable?

The record is thin — 16 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2002 C240 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (5 complaints), visibility & wipers (4 complaints), lighting (2 complaints).

Does the 2002 Mercedes-Benz C240 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Mercedes-Benz C240. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mercedes-Benz C240 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the C240 years to avoid are 2005. The cleanest record among C240 years belongs to 2007.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.