2002 Mercedes-Benz C240 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 C240, 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
- Electrical425.0%
- Visibility425.0%
- Interior & seats318.8%
- Driver assistance16.3%
- Airbags16.3%
- Powertrain (other)16.3%
- Seat belts16.3%
- Body & structure16.3%
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
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ C240. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE PROPERLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOMETER WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF TACOMA (1701-C ALEXANDER AVE E, FIFE, WA 98424) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS STILL AWAITING INFORMATION ON THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE APPROXIMATELY 90,000.*DT*JB*DT THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A PHOTO. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ C240. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C240. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V918000 (VISIBILITY). THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF SEATTLE (2025 AIRPORT WAY S, SEATTLE, WA 98134 (206) 331-4312) WHERE IT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FROM CANADA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ C240. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V918000 (VISIBILITY). FLAGSHIP MOTORCARS OF LYNNFIELD (385 BROADWAY RTE. 1 NORTH, LYNNFIELD, MA 01940) WAS CONTACTED AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED. UPON LEAVING THE DEALER AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO USE THE SUN ROOF HOWEVER, THE SUNROOF WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND EXPLAINED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HER SUN ROOF WOULD BE RESET. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE MOTOR AND THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFUSED THE SERVICED AND ASKED THE MECHANIC TO SEAL THE SUN ROOF AND RETURN THE SUN ROOF TO ITS ORIGINAL FORM. AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER FOR THE SECOND TIME, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF SHOOK UPON CLOSING HER FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE CONTACT THEN CALLED THE DEALER BACK THE NEXT DAY AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUN ROOF SHAKING WAS NOT NORMAL. SHE WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT HAD YET TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, SHE WAS UNABLE TO REACH A REPRESENTATIVE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 62,000.
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C240. THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING), ALTHOUGH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILURE WAS IDENTICAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
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 AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 DEPLOYED, DRIVER SUSTAINED BROKEN SPINAL (NECK), TRAUMA BRAIN INJURY, BROKEN COLLAR BONES, BRUISED LUNGS, TWO BROKEN ARMS TWO BROKEN LEGS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 DEPLOYED, DRIVER SUSTAINED BROKEN SPINAL (NECK), TRAUMA BRAIN INJURY, BROKEN COLLAR BONES, BRUISED LUNGS, TWO BROKEN ARMS TWO BROKEN LEGS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING FLUID IN SIX DIFFERENT PLACES AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 DEPLOYED, DRIVER SUSTAINED BROKEN SPINAL (NECK), TRAUMA BRAIN INJURY, BROKEN COLLAR BONES, BRUISED LUNGS, TWO BROKEN ARMS TWO BROKEN LEGS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL #19V918, MB CAMPAIGN #2020040011, AND BROUGHT VEHICLE TO MERCEDES DEALER, ALFANO, IN SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA ON 8/25/2020. WAS TOLD BY DEALER'S SERVICE MANAGER THAT VEHICLE PRODUCTION DATE WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT MATCH THE MODELS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, SUCH PRODUCTION DATES WERE FROM 01/16/2006 TO 07/09/2006 INCLUSIVE. NO INSPECTION OF THE SUNROOF BONDING OR REPAIRS WERE ATTEMPTED ON THE VEHICLE. IMAGE OF SERVICE INVOICE ATTACHED TO THIS DOCUMENT.
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 .