VehicleVerdict

2002 Mercedes-Benz M-Class problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 5 complaints on file for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz M-Class — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

5

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

3

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other M-Class years?

M-Class NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted32 complaints1998: 6 complaints1999: 28 complaints2000: 32 complaints2001: 9 complaints2002: 5 complaints2003: 12 complaints2004: 0 complaints2006: 18 complaints2007: 3 complaints2008: 1 complaints2009: 1 complaints
M-Class NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all M-Class years to avoid →

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

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags120%
Brakes120%
Electrical System120%
Engine120%
Steering120%

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

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

11V208000Speed ControlMarch 31, 2011 · 136,751 units

Defect

MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1999-2002 M-CLASS AND MODEL YEAR 2000-2003 M-CLASS AMG VEHICLES. THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ALLOWS THE DRIVER TO DISENGAGE THE SYSTEM IN A NUMBER OF WAYS, INCLUDING TAPPING THE BRAKE PEDAL, USING THE CRUISE CONTROL STALK, OR BRAKING THE VEHICLE ENOUGH TO REACH A CERTAIN RATE OF DECELERATION. MERCEDES-BENZ HAS DETERMINED THAT UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES USE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL MAY NOT AUTOMATICALLY DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL AS EXPECTED BY THE DRIVER, ALTHOUGH THE OTHER MEANS OF DEACTIVATING CRUISE CONTROL REMAIN FULLY OPERATIVE. SPECIFICALLY, WHERE THE DRIVER PUMPS THE BRAKES RATHER THAN APPLYING CONSISTENT PEDAL FORCE, THE LEVEL OF FORCE REQUIRED MAY BE UNUSUALLY HIGH.

Consequence

DIFFICULTY OR DELAY IN DISENGAGING CRUISE CONTROL CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN DURING OCTOBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

08V465000SteeringSeptember 17, 2008 · 125,228 units

Defect

MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING 125,228 MY 1998-2004 M-CLASS VEHICLES. THE HOSE CLAMP USED TO SECURE THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLER MAY NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CLAMPING FORCE FOR THIS CONNECTION.

Consequence

THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID MAY RESULT IN DIMINISHED POWER STEERING OVER TIME AND ULTIMATELY CAN DAMAGE THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

AN EARLIER RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED ON THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT TO PREVENT A FUTURE LEAKAGE OR FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING HOSE CONNECTION (PLEASE SEE 03V121). SINCE IT IS NOT POSSIBLE THROUGH INSPECTION TO IDENTIFY SPECIFIC VEHICLES THAT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY REPAIRED, ALL VEHICLES REPAIRED PRIOR TO NOVEMBER 15, 2003, WILL BE REPAIRED AGAIN. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

03V121000SteeringMarch 27, 2003 · 211,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE HOSE CLAMP USED TO SECURE THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING FLUID COOLER MAY NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CLAMPING FORCE FOR THIS CONNECTION.

Consequence

THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING FLUID MAY RESULT IN DIMINISHED POWER STEERING OVER TIME AND ULTIMATELY CAN DAMAGE THE POWER STEERING PUMP.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HOSE CLAMP ON THE POWER STEERING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING COOLER. DURING CLAMP REPLACEMENT, THE POWER STEERING COOLING HOSE WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED AS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 16, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

02V203000Seat BeltsJuly 26, 2002 · 3,603 units

Defect

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, S7.3, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THE SEAT BELT CHIMES MAY NOT FUNCTION AS DESIGNED AND IS NOT CONSISTENT WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Consequence

IF THE DRIVER BUCKLES HIS SEAT BELT PRIOR TO STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CHIME WILL NOT SOUND AT ALL WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES TO ENSURE THAT THE SEAT BELT CHIME OPERATES AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 25, 2002. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE INSTRUCTIONS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-201-573-0117.

02V058000Tires & WheelsFebruary 13, 2002 · 172 units

Defect

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DUNLOP SP5000 TIRES. SOME OF THESE TIRES HAVE A SEPARATION AROUND THE ENTIRE CIRCUMFERENCE IN THE AREA OF THE SIDE WALL AND TREAD.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN PREMATURE TIRE WEAR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE DUNLOP TIRES WHICH EXHIBIT THIS DEFECT WHEN VISUALLY INSPECTED. ONLY DUNLOP TIRES IN WEEK 4901 WITH TIRE CODES 4909 OR 4917 ARE INVOLVED AND WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BY TELEPHONE BEGAN FEBUARY 27, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD 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.

“WHILE DRIVING HER 2002 MERCEDES ML 500 AT A STEADY 40 MPH IN TRAFFIC THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL ENGAGED FOR NO REASON LOCKING THE BRAKES AND MAKING THE VEHICLE UNCONTROLLABLE AND UNRESPONSIVE TO DRIVER INPUT. THE ONLY THING THAT PREVENTED US FROM BEING HIT WAS THERE WAS NO ONE BEHIND US, HAD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 11, 2010

“ONE DAY AFTER WASHING THE CAR, THE REAR BRAKE STICKS UNTIL PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL AND FORCE THE BRAKE TO RELEASE. IT MAKES A LOUD CRACKING NOISE DURING THE FORCE RELEASE. THE NOISE IS SO LOUD THAT YOU MAY THINK YOU HIT SOMETHING FROM YOUR BUMPER IF YOU DON'T KNOW THE PROBLEM. MBZ SAID THAT'S NORMAL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 15, 2003

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ M430. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK AND IT SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS TOWED TO THE CLOSES DEALER. THE VEHICLE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 15, 2011

“TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED TO REPORT THAT THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT SAYS THAT THE AIRBAG IS OFF IN HER 2002 MERCEDES M CLASS. THERE IS A LIGHT NEXT TO THE AIRBAG THAT SAYS SRS WHICH IS ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 60-65 MPH WHEN THE CONTACT WAS ADJUSTED THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 22, 2006

“RECALL CAMPAIGN # 2003-040005 - MERCEDES BENZ ML 320 RECALL OF POWER STEERING CLAMP. ITEM WAS REPLACED BY INDEPENDENT DEALER IN VIRGINIA AND THE CHARGE WAS COMPLETED FOR THE SERVICE RENDERED. RECALL NOTICE CAME IN THE MAIL 3 DAYS LATER, AND INDEPENDENT DEALER DOES NOT WANT TO REFUND ANY OR ALL OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · February 4, 2008

2002 Mercedes-Benz M-Class — common questions

Is the 2002 Mercedes-Benz M-Class reliable?

The record is thin — 5 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.

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

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Mercedes-Benz M-Class. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2002 Mercedes-Benz M-Class under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Mercedes-Benz M-Class years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the M-Class years to avoid are 2000. The cleanest record among M-Class years belongs to 2004.

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.