2002 Mercedes-Benz C320 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 36about this part
- Share
- 53%of 68 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,500miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 36 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz C320, 53% of the 68 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“On 1/14/2012 car wont start battery dead, call aaa tow truck. Jump battery ok used cared next day and on faul come up on my cars troulbe screen to indicated that I had any other trouble in any system it the car, we when to fl on the on the 16 of january car was home (in ny) son was going to take of house and start car once a week. Received phone call from my son on 1/17/2012 car wont start,battery dead, and key wont turn. …”
NHTSA complaint #10456749, filed 2012-04, 40,000 miles“There have been two warning lights for rear lights and after driving for 4 hours, a warning came on for electrical stability and my car quit working completely. There was a burning smell and I had to restart it. I am very concerned about this.”
NHTSA complaint #10525598, filed 2013-07, 68,000 miles“Car stalled in the middle of the road and almost caused an accident. After 15 minutes, car started back. I had it diagnosed and a module was replaced. 2 months later, the battery started draining. I had the alternator replaced and the battery twice. Car will work for a day or two and dies again. So many other mercedes owners of C320 are having the same problem. Battery dying and car stalling.”
NHTSA complaint #10279868, filed 2009-08, 74,500 miles“I came out and my battery was dead without warning. I took the vehicle to downtown la motors(mercedes benz) dealer, where they explained that the seat control modules were staying on and causing the battery to drain. I subsequently had to unhook the seat controls and now I am unable to move my seats or steering wheel. They estimated that the repair would cost around 1500. Numerous customers have the same issue on the same vehicle, it is obvious that this is a manufacturer defect and not the fault of mercedes benz consumers.”
NHTSA complaint #10466021, filed 2012-07, 50,000 miles“I own a mercedes benz C320 and lately I've been experiencing some problems, few weeks ago, my car wouldn't start all of a sudden. I jump started and I noticed 2 faults .. …”
NHTSA complaint #10217517, filed 2008-02, 82,200 milesRelated 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
Other parts of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz C320
23 complaintsElectronic stability control
5 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz C320
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