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Engine coolingPart report

2002 Mercedes-Benz C230 Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
16about this part
Share
30%of 54 total for the year
Median mileage
25,500miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz C230, 30% of the 54 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 25,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“After driving the car 90 miles on the highway, I was in local traffic about to make a left turn when the car stalled. I needed to restart the car before it would run briefly and then stall again. It kept stalling in traffic before I could pull over and have it towed in for service.”

NHTSA complaint #10066391, filed 2004-04, 25,500 miles

“I leased a mercedes benz C230 compressor for my daughter in 2001. The sun roof didn't slide back on the exterior or the interior. The dealer dismantled the sun roof. Mercedes refunded the first month's lease payment since she did not have use of the vehicle for the first month. After one year the sun roof needed additional repair. At 31,000 miles - the power steering failed the brakes failed and were replaced the differential broke the sun roof once again wasn't working... The interior sliding mechanism failed for the third time in 2 and 1/2 years. …”

NHTSA complaint #10136535, filed 2005-09, 1,000 miles

“Problems began at 10,000 miles aug 2002. Brought car to dealership 3 times since oct 2002 and dealership say their diagnostic tests show no problem and the stalling/rough idle is normal. They can't find any issues. Car stalls (depending on the weather)- worse on humid days, but everyday runs really rough upon start up. 50% of the time will completely stall. Other 50% if I gas the car, it runs really rough, but gets me out of my driveway. Car roughly switches to drive. Very little power when switching to drive and driving down the road. …”

NHTSA complaint #10008357, filed 2003-03, 10,000 miles

“Check engine light illuminated after 1,000 miles after I bought the car used. The car had 47,000 miles. The engine was not performing as well as it had been. The dealer ran a diagnostic which revealed six sensors had failed and needed replacing. Upon subsequent investigation the dealer found that oil had leaked into the sensors wiring harness and contaminated the sensors.”

NHTSA complaint #10185800, filed 2007-03, 47,300 miles

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #10027029, filed 2003-07, 22,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200773%
20062320%
2005911%
2004619%
20031937%
20021630%
200013%
199927%
199825%

Other parts of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz C230

Electrical system
12 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 30, 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