2002 Mercedes-Benz C230 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 22%of 54 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 48,660miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz C230, 22% of the 54 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 48,660 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 2002 mercedes C230 kompressor keeps draining the battery. I have had the battery and the alternator replaced. No one, including the dealer can determine what is causing the drain. Online forums from mercedes outline that this is a regular issue that mercedes is aware of, but no recall has been issued.”
NHTSA complaint #10197692, filed 2007-07, 43,000 miles“While driving on highway out of state at approx. 60mph car suddenly bucked and all power cut out, all lights on control panel lit up- hit clutch and gas, vehicle restarted. Nearest dealer would not see me for 2 weeks, dealer in another state did diagnostic estimated repair at close to $4,000; already gave over $1800 as downpayment toward parts. Repair ? Scheduled for next week. Read other complaints, believe manufacturer should take some responsibility here, and want reassurance if repair does not work I will not be continuously charged while they replace everything until the get it right. …”
NHTSA complaint #10214361, filed 2008-01, 56,000 miles“The power seat modules continuously drain the battery causing dead battery within 24-48 hours. The seats must be unplugged to stop the problem. Mercedes dealership wants $100 to diagnose and $1,500 per seat module. There are hundreds of people online with the same problem making this a defect.”
NHTSA complaint #10597448, filed 2014-06, 50,000 miles“The contact owns a 2002 Mercedes-Benz C230. While driving between 15-20 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate. While depressing the accelerator pedal, the ABS and check engine warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the wire harness melted and needed replacement. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10969417, filed 2017-03, 12,000 miles“Takata recall esl (electric steering lock) components the motor fails to unlock the steering the first time, but work in following attempts. Some times it takes 1 to 4 hours for esl to unlock. This happens only when the vehicle is parked weather overnight or just coming out of the store shopping.”
NHTSA complaint #11217203, filed 2019-05Related service bulletins
- 11015640Mar 5, 2025Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party…
- 11008091Sep 28, 2024Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party…
- 10186141Dec 10, 2020NTG5.5: Incorrect time shown on instrument cluster, COMAND display, and analog clock
- 10166087Jul 10, 2014The presence of a quiescent current can have several causes. These are not always recognized and lead to an increased number of OK components being removed. Possible Hall sensor…
- 10205233Aug 5, 2013Mobile phone cotacts are not transferred completely.
- 10167563Jul 8, 2013The COMAND unit does not start or the COMAND display remains dark. The COMAND unit cannot be operated. Note: The problem disappears after a lengthy idle period (>6h) or after…
- 10033116Apr 1, 2011Mercedes: replace the camshaft adjustment solenoid(s) and install adapter harness(es). Due to the settling properties of the seal of the camshaft adjustment solenoid…
- 10028586Feb 27, 2009Mercedes vehicle: the srs indicator lamp is illuminated and code b1058 and b2dbo are stored, replace the srs control unit. Models 203 and model 209. Model years unknown.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 14 | 7% |
| 2006 | 6 | 5% |
| 2005 | 12 | 14% |
| 2004 | 7 | 23% |
| 2003 | 6 | 12% |
| 2002 | 12 | 22% |
| 2000 | 11 | 38% |
| 1999 | 4 | 14% |
| 1998 | 7 | 18% |
Other parts of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz C230
16 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz C230
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology