2002 Mercedes-Benz CL600 Problems
- Complaints
- 13filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 76,000miles, 11 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 16 mpgcombined, 5.8L 12-cyl RWD · 13 city / 21 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CL600 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CL600. The part named most often is suspension, with 6 complaints (46% of the total), followed by brakes (3) and engine cooling (3). 11 of the complaints include a mileage, and 27% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 76,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 38 technical service bulletins for this model year. Suspension complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Suspension6 46%
- Brakes3 23%
- Engine cooling3 23%
- Electrical system1 7.7%
- Engine1 7.7%
- Exterior lighting1 7.7%
- Fuel system1 7.7%
- Steering1 7.7%
Example complaints
Suspension: “I was driving down the road, then the cars suspension started acting erratic, I could not maintain control of the vehicle till a short time later. My cars suspension raised and lowered in a violent way. My head was thrown forward into the steering wheel, and back in the head rest. I was wearing my seatbelt. I contacted mercedes, and they told me in so many words, too bad for me.”
NHTSA complaint #10408522, filed 2011-06, 51,000 milesBrakes: “Abc hose leaked hydraulic fluid in huge puddle as the vehicle was being backed out of the driveway. Not long after the wheels were sitting on top of the wheel well. Mercedes service diagnosed as hose that requires transmission to be removed to fix. Was told recall work was done in 2004 so I had to pay full repair price ($4,700).”
NHTSA complaint #10455052, filed 2012-04, 76,000 milesEngine cooling: “I have a 2002 mercedes CL600 and it has a engine oil leak. I was told by my mechanic that the leak might cause the fire in engine. I am afraid to drive it but this is the only car I have it. The mercedes is asking 5500 usd to fix it. I cant cause I don't have that much money. As I found out this is a common of a problem for CL600.”
NHTSA complaint #10395688, filed 2011-04, 81,400 milesElectrical system: “This is a known issue to mercedes, this is a major fire hazard, these cars are notorious for this problem. Oil will spray all over the exhaust, and plastic creating a vacuum. Lucky my family hasn't died from this fire hazard. Its all over the mb forums, everyone on repair pal, everyone knows that this is common and life threatening hazard that should be replaced with the redesigned oil cooler. I have contacted mercedes benz on this issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10586673, filed 2014-05, 80,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
27% of the 11 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 40,000 and 85,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2002 Mercedes-Benz CL600 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CL600 RWD | 5.8L 12-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 13 | 21 | 16 | $5,150 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 04V228000May 13, 2004SuspensionCovers: Mercedes-Benz CL600 2001–2004, S600 2001–2004
On certain passenger vehicles, corrosion may occur in the inner steel portions of the active body control's (abc) high-pressure distribution hose due to extensive exposure to heat and humidity. Over time, corrosion may deteriorate the inner steel portions of…
Recall details for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CL600 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 38 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11038186Sep 22, 2026Brakes. Complaint Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE: Although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is…
- 11038217Sep 14, 2026Body and structure. Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. Cause Under analysis. Remedy To narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • If the noise continues to occur even…
- 11036101Aug 6, 2026Body and structure. Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. Cause Under analysis. Remedy To narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • If the noise continues to occur even…
- 11035005Jul 14, 2026Transmission and drivetrain. 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 direction of travel. Note: Sound…
- 11032875May 19, 2026Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). Complaint There are several types of complaint about noises or poor windshield wiper wiping performance: A: Wiper blades squeaking, chattering, shuddering B: The windshield is not wiped completely…
- 11031580Apr 16, 2026Exterior lighting. Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged. Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to any technical…
- 11029959Mar 9, 2026Exterior lighting. Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to any technical…
- 11029062Feb 25, 2026Exterior lighting. Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky headlamp, physical fogging…
- 11029025Feb 24, 2026Exterior lighting. Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to any technical…
- 11028989Feb 24, 2026Exterior lighting. Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky headlamp, physical fogging…
Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz CL600
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 13 | 76,000 | 1 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 14 | 75,853 | 1 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
All Mercedes-Benz CL600 model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CL600 have?
NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CL600 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CL600 is reported most often?
Suspension is named most often, in 6 complaints (46% of the total), followed by brakes with 3.
Has the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CL600 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CL600 get?
The EPA rates the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CL600 (CL600, 5.8L 12-cyl) at 16 mpg combined, 13 city and 21 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CL600 reported?
Among the 11 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 76,000 miles and the middle half falls between 40,000 and 85,000 miles; 27% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.