Mercedes-Benz 240 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 75 consumer complaints across the 3 model years of the Mercedes-Benz 240 (2001–2003) that have at least 5 complaints. 2003 has the most, with 27. Across all years, the part named most often is electrical system (16 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All 240 model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 27 | 33,506 | 0 | 3 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 26 | 37,000 | 0 | 2 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 22 | 48,541 | 0 | 2 | — | Stable |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Electrical system16 21%
- Fuel system12 16%
- Engine cooling12 16%
- Vehicle speed control8 11%
- Transmission and drivetrain8 11%
- Air bags7 9.3%
- Body and structure6 8.0%
- Brakes6 8.0%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2002: “I purchased my car about two years ago . I have been having problems with the electrical system . I had service done on the car and I have had many problems with the sensors. The lights keep shorting out . I replace the bulbs and it shorts out again . Also brake sensors keep wearing out causing the brake sensor to keep coming on . Now I am having problems with the oil level sensor it is saying reduce oil level I had this done and no change . Thinking it may need the oil changed I took it in. …”
NHTSA complaint #10227597, filed 2008-05, 84,448 miles2001: “The engine would suddenly shut off while driving at highway speed. We restarted the vehicle after we coasted to a stop at the side of the road. The first time this happened, we were 1 hour into a 3 hr road trip. A mercedes benz certified mechanic could find nothing wrong I.e., no fault codes appeared when the diagnostic was run. The problem reappeared 2 hrs into another 4 hr. Road trip and again on the local highway after 1/2 hr of driving. Each time we were able to coast to a stop at the side of the road and then restart the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10308098, filed 2010-02, 120,000 miles2003: “Right front axle assembly fell apart. We had just got off of I-90 when I pulled into mcdonald's and the front wheel disengaged as the axle completely fell apart.”
NHTSA complaint #10353012, filed 2010-08, 108,782 milesOther Mercedes-Benz models
3,963 complaintsMercedes-Benz E350
2,215 complaintsMercedes-Benz E320
1,164 complaintsMercedes-Benz ML350
952 complaintsMercedes-Benz GLK350
901 complaintsMercedes-Benz ML320
740 complaintsMercedes-Benz C250
725 complaintsMercedes-Benz GLC 300
657 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology