2002 Mercedes-Benz C230 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 6%of 54 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 56,146miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz C230, 6% of the 54 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 56,146 miles.
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.
“I have a mercedes benz c-230 kompressor early this month it started to lurch after stopping the first time it happened we thought a vehicle had run into us but could find no marks, then it started doing it after almost every stop, the dealer, chandler mercedes benz has the car now but can't find the problem, and yes it has done it while they drove it.”
NHTSA complaint #10160757, filed 2006-06, 90,000 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“The contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz C230. On october 15, 2008, while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle suddenly decelerated to 15 MPH on its own. The vehicle was towed to the garage. It was diagnosed that the radiator failed and coolant fluid penetrated the transmission reserved fluid. The mechanic replaced the radiator and cleaned the transmission at the cost of $5,000. The mechanic stated that the transmission will eventually also need to be replaced. The failure mileage was 56,146 and current mileage is 59,000. Updated 02/24/09. Updated 02/25/09.”
NHTSA complaint #10247836, filed 2008-11, 56,146 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11035005Jul 14, 2026Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of…
- 11019018May 21, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse…
- 11013298Jan 16, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse…
- 11013332Jan 15, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The noise is heard once in each instance when changing…
- 10181124Sep 30, 2020Harsh engagement when changing gear range from P to D or R
- 10166994Feb 25, 2014Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). Heard once when changing from forward to reverse (and vice versa)
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 51 | 24% |
| 2006 | 28 | 24% |
| 2005 | 8 | 9% |
| 2004 | 3 | 10% |
| 2003 | 8 | 16% |
| 2002 | 3 | 6% |
| 2000 | 9 | 31% |
| 1999 | 1 | 3% |
| 1998 | 5 | 13% |
| 1997 | 1 | 14% |
Other parts of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz C230
16 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsEngine
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 Nov 1, 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