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Mercedes-Benz CLK320Model year report

2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 Problems

Complaints
16filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
59,000miles, 11 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
20 mpgcombined, 3.2L 6-cyl RWD · 18 city / 25 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK320. The part named most often is electrical system, with 8 complaints (50% of the total), followed by brakes (2) and engine cooling (2). 11 of the complaints include a mileage, and 27% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 59,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 44 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 6 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin 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.

Also reported: Seat belts (1), Seats (1), Steering (1), Tires (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “While on my way to work I stop to get gas. I get in my car to leave and key will not turn left or right. Also steering wheel was locked. I was stranded and had car towed the mb dealership. They said first I have to buy new key before they do anything which cost me $380. Got new key and that wasn't the problem. Then they said my eis needs to be replaced. They replaced the eis, then I get a call saying car still will not start. Now they say I need a esl(electronic steering lock) now my total jumped up to 2,200. …”

NHTSA complaint #10695181, filed 2015-03, 98,000 miles

Brakes: “We had a brake booster vacuum line that connects to the aluminum intake with a plastic fitting on a 2002 mercedes CLK320 (173k miles) that got brittle and broke. Thankfully no one was injured or killed. I'm an ex-mechanic and have never seen plastic fitting used for the vacuum line to the brake booster on the engine. Over time this will get brittle and break. This vacuum line does 2 things, #1 it keeps the car running with normal power, #2 allows you to have brakes that operate normally. …”

NHTSA complaint #11040268, filed 2017-10, 173,000 miles

Engine cooling: “I was driving up the mountain home ,the gas pedal gave out. I set the cruise control on and drove an hour home. When I got home I looked under the hood and came to see that the throttle cable had came detached. The car only has 59,000 miles on it. This is the first time it has happened to me. I called Mercedes-Benz customer care number to see if there is a safety recall on this ,they said no but they could arrange a tow back to las vegas at my expense and they can check it out to see if they would be able to do anything for me. …”

NHTSA complaint #10231280, filed 2008-06, 59,000 miles

Body and structure: “There is too much rust on the vehicle! Car has never been in any accidents & has been washed & waxed regularly. Supposedly this is a very common issue with these cars which is disappointing. This poses a safety issue as if the vehicle is involved in a collision, the structural integrity is highly diminished due to the corrosion. What is even more scary is that the corrosion starts from the inside out so you will not be able to see the damage until it is too late. Mb USA: please assist/help & back your products up!”

NHTSA complaint #10823951, filed 2016-02, 255,000 miles

Mileage 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 42,000 and 98,000 miles.

0%0–1018%10–259%25–5036%50–7518%75–1000%100–15018%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (11 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 59,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

2004200632008320152017
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
CLK320 RWD3.2L 6-cyl5-speed automatic182520$4,100
CLK320 (Cabriolet) RWD3.2L 6-cyl5-speed automatic172420$4,100

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

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by 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. 44 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 44 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz CLK320

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20051269,8963—21—Not enough data
20041669,0003—20—Rising
20031945,5273—20—Falling
20021659,0000—20—Stable
20011590,0000—21—Falling
20001752,5000—21—Stable
19991869,4941—21—Stable

All Mercedes-Benz CLK320 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 have?

NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 8 complaints (50% of the total), followed by brakes with 2.

Has the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 (CLK320, 3.2L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 18 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,100 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK320 reported?

Among the 11 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 59,000 miles and the middle half falls between 42,000 and 98,000 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 31, 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.