2002 Mercedes-Benz C320 Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 34%of 68 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 68,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the seats of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz C320, 34% of the 68 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 68,500 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 miles“My vehicle would not start, so I received a jump, two days later when I did not drive the car it would not start received another jump and replaced the battery. Did not drive the car from 7-4 to 7-8-07 and car would start. Went to mercedes dealership on 7-9-07 and was told that it was a common problem on my car that the seat modules do not power down when the car is off and that it is draining the battery. Went to several Mercedes-Benz forum websites and found that there were hundreds of people having the same problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10196159, filed 2007-07, 48,200 miles“Battery dies. After diagnostic, found that driver seat control unit drained battery. Replaced battery and eventually all controls fail on the seat and steering wheel. I am one of many many people with the same problem. No solution found and no recall to repair.”
NHTSA complaint #10402463, filed 2011-05, 44,000 miles“Faulty seat controller of a mercedes c32 amg, drains car battery overnight, causes new battery replacement and controller replacement (not cheap - appr $400). No new controller purchased from mb USA, just disconnected plug (moving seat is inoperable). I noticed almost all us mercedes benz vehicles with that body style (w203) have that issue. Sources: bay area dealerships, a repair shop and online forums.”
NHTSA complaint #10254495, filed 2009-01, 72,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10248162Dec 4, 2023Crease formation on genuine leather seat covers in vehicles with low mileage ⢠Objects left on the seats for extended periods of time (pressure marks). ⢠Objects wedged…
- 10166095Jul 12, 2014Noise from the front seats during load change.
- 10166099Jul 10, 2014Pneumatic comfort systems with insufficient performance, entirely inoperative or leaky.
- 10166085Jul 9, 2014Grunting noise or ripping noise at seat-back lining
- 10166082Jul 9, 2014Noises from area of seat adjuster or cushion frame.
Seats: other model years
Other parts of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz C320
36 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 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