2002 Mercedes-Benz C320 Electronic stability control Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 7%of 68 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 125,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the electronic stability control of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz C320, 7% of the 68 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 125,000 miles. 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.
“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“Driving from san francisco (sea level) and eventually descending from echo pass at 7200 feet elev to lake tahoe (6200 feet elev) on hiway 50, all of a sudden, the vehicle display showed an esp warning light while simultaneously the engine went into 'idle' mode (engine was still running) and the accelerator pedal could summon no power. Pulled over and turned car off completely to ponder. Turned car back on and the esp warning light was gone. There was full accelerator power again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10538119, filed 2013-08, 135,000 miles“Was driving on highway when esp, bas and ABS lights show up, and speedometer display stops working - speed reading goes to zero, though there is no reduction in speed. Get to destination. On return it happens again. This time I go to rest area, stop the car, remove the key and restart. The car refuses to move out of park. Call roadside assistance and get instruction to override park, drive home with flashers on - very rough ride quality. Tow to dealer next day, they are not sure if new part will fix it, even if $1850 part is replaced. Lots of electrical problems over the years. …”
NHTSA complaint #10747123, filed 2015-08, 125,000 miles“The contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz C320. The contact stated that the electronic stability control light illuminated on the instrument panel and smoke started to emit from under the hood. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not informed of the issue. The failure mileage was 127,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10680808, filed 2015-02, 127,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10186135Dec 9, 2020If the customer brakes sharply from a speed of > 30mph, without ABS intervention, there is a single cracking noise from the area of the ESP hydraulic unit
- 10025642Mar 28, 2008Model 203 (c) series from production 8/1/01 to 2/1/03 and model 209 (clk) series up to production 2/1/03; esp visit workshop with fault code c1185.
Electronic stability control: other model years
Other parts of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz C320
36 complaintsSeats
23 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