2002 Mercedes-Benz C230 problems
The 2002 Mercedes-Benz C230 has 73 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (26%) concerns engine. Next are electrical system (16%) and wipers, windshield & visibility (8%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 73 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 26% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 3 and 4
- Injuries and deaths
- 2 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 44,000 miles 48 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 17 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 6 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 11 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 6 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 3 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 2 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 1 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 2 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 48 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 44,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 26,000 miles (11 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 3 complaints mention a crash; 4 complaints mention a fire; 2 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2002 ranks 4th most-complained-about out of 9 model years of the Mercedes-Benz C230 with enough data (42 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 2 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Suddenly the vehicle shut off, lost power that controlled the , brakes , steering, etc. Consumer's vehicle went into traffic and struck other vehicles at 25 MPH. Upon impact, air bags failed to deploy.
The consumer's vehicle ignited and caught fire due to contents next to vehicle igniting. The dealer, where the vehicle was towed to suggested the cause of the fire was due to "fix a flat." the manufacturer representative and the fire department, determined the fire started due to the exhaust system which was directly under the area that burned. *scc
Vehicle fire with 2002 mercedes benz c230. Consumer noted four factual errors with the report provided to mercedes-benz corporate office. The consumer corrected the fact that there was damage beneath the carpet area and the idle test that was performed was irrelevant. The consumer stated excess heat caused or contributed to the fire in the trunk of the vehicle.
While driving 60 MPH vehicle stalled. Then, vehicle restarted on its own. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection numerous times. Mechanic could not duplicate the problem.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz c-230. The contact's child wrapped the nearest rear seat belt around her neck, while seated in her child seat. While the seat belt was around the child's neck, it would not loosen and was extended to the point that the seat belt could only retract. The contact called the police and they cut the seat belt from around the child's neck. She was uninjured from the seat belt failure. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 60,000.