2002 Mercedes-Benz S Class problems
NHTSA has received 56 complaints about the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S Class, and 34% of them involve suspension. Next are electrical system (21%) and lighting (11%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 56 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Suspension 34% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 0 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 0 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 80,000 miles 47 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 | 2 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 2 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 12 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 7 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 15 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 4 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 3 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 47 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 80,000 miles. For suspension specifically, the median reported mileage is about 70,000 miles (18 complaints with mileage).
None of these complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death. Its complaints are less severe on average than those of 100% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2002 ranks 2nd most-complained-about out of 5 model years of the Mercedes-Benz S Class with enough data (25 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.
Hesitates on accelleration(dangerous at intersections and passing) have complained 4 times to seller and they can not correct it. Please advise me. Thanks dt
2002 mercedes-benz s500 experiencing tire blow outs. There was a right rear gash in the sidewall and a bulge high on the sidewall near the rear of the rim, the left front tire was flat due to fissure in the sidewall, the third tire blew out while driving on an interstate. The fourth tire was starting to fray. (model/s 500) *scc
While driving, I lost all electrical systems in my mercedes. Power steering, power brakes, lights, display, power windows etc.
Mercedes benz has listed a recall on all w220 mercedes-benz vehicles. The recall was about the instrument cluster failing resulting in the cluster to not work. The MPH, RPM doesn't work. Nothing on the cluster works. When I went on may 12, 2011 to the mercedes dealership to get my instrument cluster fixed because it was recalled I spoke with a lady at the dealer explaining my situation about the part being recalled and that it is defective. She asked me to give her my VIN number.
My 2002 mercedes s430 instrument cluster back lighting went out while I was driving and I could not see my rate of speed. Along with not seeing my rate of speed my fuel and temperature was not visable. I called mercedes dealer in virginia about the recall that came out in 2006 and I was told that the recall had expired. Looking on the internet there is a 10 year extension but I was told that it was from the time the car was manufactured.