2002 Mercedes-Benz AMG C32 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2002 Mercedes-Benz AMG C32, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Fuel system444.4%
- Electrical222.2%
- Interior & seats222.2%
- Engine111.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WOULD LIKE THE FOLLOWING ADDED TO MY ORIGINAL COMPLAINT ODI#10579532. THE FOLLOWING LETTER WAS SENT TO ME BY DAIMLER BENZ CORPORATE OFFICE IN GERMANY: [XXX] MAY 15 (1 DAY AGO) TO ME REF: [XXX] DEAR [XXX], THANK YOU FOR YOUR MOST RECENT EMAIL. WE CAN ASSURE YOU THAT ALL AUTHORIZED MERCEDES-BENZ WORKSHOPS WORLDWIDE ARE COMMITTED TO WORKING WITHIN THE GUIDELINES AND WORK INSTRUCTIONS OF THE MANUFACTURER. IN THIS CASE, MERCEDES-BENZ RECOMMENDS THAT THE MOST EFFECTIVE REPAIR IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY, RATHER THAN THE INDIVIDUAL AFFECTED PART. WE REGRET THAT YOU FEEL WE ARE PUSHING YOU AWAY HOWEVER, AS YOUR VEHICLE IS REGISTERED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WE MUST INVOLVE THE RESPONSIBLE ENTITY, WHICH IS MERCEDES-BENZ USA. WE HOPE YOU CAN APPRECIATE THAT DUE TO THE VARYING LEGISLATIONS WORLDWIDE, WE MUST ENSURE THAT EACH CUSTOMER IS DEALT WITH IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CORRECT PROCEDURES. MERCEDES-BENZ USA WILL ADDRESS THIS MATTER IN FULL FOR YOU AND SHALL INFORM US OF THE OUTCOME. THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR TAKING THE TIME TO CONTACT US BUT REGRETTABLY WE ARE UNABLE TO ADD ANY FURTHER COMMENTS. YOURS SINCERELY [XXX] DAIMLER TEAM FOR THE BOARD OF MANAGEMENT / DAIMLER KUNDENBETREUUNGSTEAM FR DEN VORSTAND DAIMLER AG SITZ UND REGISTERGERICHT/DOMICILE AND COURT OF REGISTRY:STUTTGART INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
THIS 2002 MERCEDES C32 IS A DEATHTRAP! THE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS, REAR & FORWARD SAM, FUEL PUMP, ETC, FAIL AT AN UNUSUALLY HIGH RATE. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT INVOLVED A FAULT IN THE PRIMARY FUEL PUMP. THE MERCEDES DEALER IDENTIFIED THE FAULT AS A FAULTY PLASTIC POWER CONNECTOR ON THE PUMP AND A FAILED FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR. THEY THEN PROCEEDED TO TELL ME THAT MERCEDES BENZ NORTH AMERICA WOULD NOT SELL ME A REPLACEMENT PUMP; INSTEAD, THEY INSISTED THAT I PURCHASE AN ENTIRE NEW FUEL TANK AND WIRING HARNESS FOR $3200 PARTS AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS MORE FRO LABOR. MERCEDES BENZ IS AWARE OF A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW ON THIS YEAR AND MODEL, YET, REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE A VOLUNTARY RECALL! MOREOVER, THE DESIGN AND PLACEMENT OF THE TANK--A SADDLE TYPE, SITUATED UNDER THE REAR SEATS--ALLOWS DIRT, SMALL PEBBLES AND OTHER DEBRIS TO ACCUMULATE IN THE AREA (A TYPE OF WELL) OF THE FUEL PUMP(S)--THERE ARE TWO. EVERY TIME I'VE HAD THE CAR SERVICED THE TECHNICIAN HAD TO VACUUM OUT ALL THE ACCUMULATED DEBRIS. (MY NEW YORK TITLE, WHERE I ORIGINALLY REGISTERED IT AFTER PURCHASING IT USED AT A NEW CAR DEALER, NEVER INDICATED IT HAD BEEN PART OF A LEMON LAW PROCESS.) I'VE NOTICED ON THIS SITE THAT OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT FUEL PUMP PROBLEMS, INCLUDING SERIOUS FUEL LEAKS WITH THEIR ASSOCIATED FUEL LINE FAULTS. REGARDLESS OF THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE, THESE FAILURES SHOULD NEVER TAKE PLACE!!!! MOREOVER, I AM COUNTING ON YOUR OFFICE TO INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER THOROUGHLY. IN RECENT DAYS IT HAS COME TO LIGHT THAT THE AUTO INDUSTRY HAS BEEN CRIMINALLY NEGLECTFUL WITH RESPECT TO ADDRESSING FAULTY DESIGN ISSUES. I THINK MY CIRCUMSTANCE IS YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THIS PHENOMENON. MERCEDES BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA MUST BE HELD TO ACCOUNT FOR PLACING A SERIOUSLY FLAWED PRODUCT INTO THE MARKETPLACE! *JS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEAT CONTROL MODULE DRAINING THE BATTERY. CAR WILL NOT START IF NOT DRIVEN FOR 24 HOURS. 99% OF THE CARS WITH THE SEAT CONTROL MODULE PART NUMBER STARTING WITH "203" ARE BAD!! WHY WONT MERCEDES RECALL THEM AND REPLACE WITH NEW ONES FREE OF CHARGE. ITS OBVIOUS THAT ITS A DEFECTED PART AND IT WILL CAUSE OTHER THINGS TO GO BAD. WE SPEND ENOUGH HARD EARNED MONEY ON BUYING THE CAR TO HAVE TO PAY FOR THERE DEFECTIVE PARTS. THAT'S WHY THEY ARE CALLED THE STEALER NOT THE DEALER! *TR
THIS 2002 MERCEDES C32 IS A DEATHTRAP! THE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS, REAR & FORWARD SAM, FUEL PUMP, ETC, FAIL AT AN UNUSUALLY HIGH RATE. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT INVOLVED A FAULT IN THE PRIMARY FUEL PUMP. THE MERCEDES DEALER IDENTIFIED THE FAULT AS A FAULTY PLASTIC POWER CONNECTOR ON THE PUMP AND A FAILED FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR. THEY THEN PROCEEDED TO TELL ME THAT MERCEDES BENZ NORTH AMERICA WOULD NOT SELL ME A REPLACEMENT PUMP; INSTEAD, THEY INSISTED THAT I PURCHASE AN ENTIRE NEW FUEL TANK AND WIRING HARNESS FOR $3200 PARTS AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS MORE FRO LABOR. MERCEDES BENZ IS AWARE OF A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW ON THIS YEAR AND MODEL, YET, REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE A VOLUNTARY RECALL. MOREOVER, THE DESIGN AND PLACEMENT OF THE TANK--A SADDLE TYPE, SITUATED UNDER THE REAR SEATS--ALLOWS DIRT, SMALL PEBBLES AND OTHER DEBRIS TO ACCUMULATE IN THE AREA (A TYPE OF WELL) OF THE FUEL PUMP(S)--THERE ARE TWO. EVERY TIME I'VE HAD THE CAR SERVICED THE TECHNICIAN HAD TO VACUUM OUT ALL THE ACCUMULATED DEBRIS. I'VE NOTICED ON THIS SITE THAT OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT FUEL PUMP PROBLEMS, INCLUDING SERIOUS FUEL LEAKS WITH THEIR ASSOCIATED FUEL LINE FAULTS. REGARDLESS OF THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE, THESE FAILURES SHOULD NEVER TAKE PLACE! MOREOVER, I AM COUNTING ON YOUR OFFICE TO INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER THOROUGHLY. IN RECENT DAYS IT HAS COME TO LIGHT THAT THE AUTO INDUSTRY HAS BEEN CRIMINALLY NEGLECTFUL WITH RESPECT TO ADDRESSING FAULTY DESIGN ISSUES. I THINK MY CIRCUMSTANCE IS YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THIS PHENOMENON. MERCEDES BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA MUST BE HELD TO ACCOUNT FOR PLACING A SERIOUSLY FLAWED PRODUCT INTO THE MARKETPLACE! *JS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
I AM CORROBORATING WHAT WAS SUBMITTED ON CLAIM 10632020. THE FRONT POWER SEATS ON BOTH SIDES OF MY CAR HAVE FAILED. WHEN THEY FAIL THERE IS A CONSTANT BATTERY DRAIN WHILE THE CAR IS OFF THAT DRAINS THE BATTERY COMPLETELY, CAUSING IT TO BE DEAD WITHIN 8 HOURS. FIRST MY DRIVERS SIDE FAILED, THEN WITHIN THE SAME YEAR THE PASSENGER SEAT FAILED. I BOUGHT TWO NEW BATTERIES AND HAD TO ARGUE WITH THE SALESMEN ABOUT WHETHER THE BATTERIES WERE GOOD OR BAD BEFORE I REALIZED THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE SEAT CONTROLS. MB WANTED MULTIPLE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPLACE 1 SEAT CONTROLLER. OVERALL THE ELECTRONICS ON MY CAR ARE ITS WEAKEST LINK, AND UNFORTUNATELY WHEN SOMETHING BREAKS THERE IS NO FIXING IT OTHER THAN TO REPLACE THE ASSEMBLY. MB SHOULD COVER THIS ON A RECALL BECAUSE IF SOMEONE'S MOTHER OR WIFE IS OUT ON THE ROAD AND THEY FIND THEIR BATTERY DEAD IN THE DARK OF THE NIGHT THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
SEAT CONTROL MODULE DRAINING THE BATTERY. CAR WILL NOT START IF NOT DRIVEN FOR 24 HOURS. 99% OF THE CARS WITH THE SEAT CONTROL MODULE PART NUMBER STARTING WITH "203" ARE BAD!! WHY WONT MERCEDES RECALL THEM AND REPLACE WITH NEW ONES FREE OF CHARGE. ITS OBVIOUS THAT ITS A DEFECTED PART AND IT WILL CAUSE OTHER THINGS TO GO BAD. WE SPEND ENOUGH HARD EARNED MONEY ON BUYING THE CAR TO HAVE TO PAY FOR THERE DEFECTIVE PARTS. THAT'S WHY THEY ARE CALLED THE STEALER NOT THE DEALER! *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C32 AMG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .