2002 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 25 complaints on file for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other CL-Class years?

CL-Class NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all CL-Class years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Suspension	7	28%	▲ up
Engine	5	20%	new
Electrical System	4	16%	▲ up
Tires & Wheels	2	8%	▲ up
Lighting	2	8%	▲ up
Brakes	2	8%	new
Visibility & Wipers	1	4%	new
Body & Structure	1	4%	new
Airbags	1	4%	new

Does the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class have recalls?

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

07V263000EngineJune 12, 2007 · 19,924 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, CORROSION MAY OCCUR IN THE INNER STEEL PORTIONS OF THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL'S (ABC) HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE DUE TO EXTENSIVE EXPOSURE TO HUMIDITY CAUSING DETERIORATION OF THE HOSE.

Consequence

THIS MAY RESULT IN ABC HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKAGE NEAR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. LEAKING FLUID MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS AND LEAD TO A POSSIBLE FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW CORROSION RESISTANT ABC HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 2, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

06V028000LightingFebruary 2, 2006 · 36,911 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CONTAINS GAUGES AND INDICATORS THAT MUST BE ILLUMINATED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION.

Consequence

DUE TO INADEQUATE ILLUMINATION, THE DRIVER WILL BE UNABLE TO READ THE GAUGES AND INDICATORS, SUCH AS THE SPEEDOMETER, WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MODULES. THE RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES. PHASE I WAS MAILED OUT TO APPROXIMATELY 7,500 OWNERS ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2006. PHASE II AND PHASE III IS SCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY ROSE UP AND DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE ABC SYSTEM WAS INOPERABLE. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL #04V228000 CONCERNING THE SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · August 31, 2006

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL CLASS. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, A HYDRAULIC LINE FAILED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING. THE ABC LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 55,126. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THROUGH THE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 9, 2007 · fire

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES CLK430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LCD THAT DISPLAYED THE SPEED, GEARS, TEMPERATURE, AND CLOCK IS NOT OPERATING NORMALLY AND THE HE IS UNABLE TO READ THE GAUGES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 1, 2004

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MODULE WOULD NEED REPLACING OR WOULD NEED TO BE REBUILT. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · August 7, 2010

“THE BRAKES CHATTERED AND THE FRONT END SHIMMIED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED. THIS WAS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE ROTORS, PER DEALERSHIP. *AK *CB *JB”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes

2002 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class — common questions

Is the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class reliable?

The record is thin — 25 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2002 CL-Class problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (7 complaints), engine (5 complaints), electrical system (4 complaints).

Does the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 2002 compare to other CL-Class years?

What are the most common 2002 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class problems?

Does the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2002 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class — common questions

Is the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class reliable?

What are the most common 2002 CL-Class problems?

Does the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class have recalls?

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