Skip to content
Mercedes-Benz E320Model year report

2002 Mercedes-Benz E320 Problems

Complaints
23filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
85,992miles, 18 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
21 mpgcombined, 3.2L 6-cyl RWD · 18 city / 26 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz E320 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz E320. The part named most often is electrical system, with 4 complaints (17% of the total), followed by engine cooling (4) and air bags (3). 18 of the complaints include a mileage, and 11% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 85,992 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 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 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 2 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.

Also reported: Fuel system (1), Body and structure (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “The temperature LED has completely gone out and the clock/gear selection LED is unreadable... I believe seeing another complaint of the same type in the database, don't remember the model but was wondering why if this is a trend does mercedes not have a fix for the situation. I realize that the warranty is only good for so long but if other cars all have similar problems it seems as if mercedes would want to protect the reputation of quality durability and excellence behind their name.”

NHTSA complaint #10661028, filed 2014-11, 92,000 miles

Engine cooling: “I was recently told that my 2002 Mercedes-Benz ml320 had an oil leak inside the engine and required a complete engine overhaul for $5,725.00. Updated 12-12-07. Updated”

NHTSA complaint #10202135, filed 2007-09, 88,985 miles

Air bags: “Exact date of incident not known I am third owner of car and have known the second owner the entire time of her ownership. The srs light on the dash stays lit at all times, as does the passenger side airbag off indicator. Was wondering if this was a one incident type or if this is a trend among older E320's that are out of warranty.”

NHTSA complaint #10661023, filed 2014-11, 90,000 miles

Brakes: “The vehicle accelerates when I am coming to a stop;this has happened about 5-6 times. On may 23, 09 I was almost stopped in a parking place and the car started bucking against my application of the brake and it was about 30 yards before the vehicle struck another vehicle and stopped. On feb.13 of this year I was stopping at a stop sign and the vehicle again started accelerating. Placing the gear into neutral saved another crash. The speed of the vehicle at the time of the incidents has been only about 2 MPH. I know that others like to claim confusion, driver error, etc. …”

NHTSA complaint #10314646, filed 2010-02, 79,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

11% of the 18 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 67,000 and 109,000 miles.

6%0–100%10–256%25–5022%50–7533%75–10028%100–1506%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (18 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 85,992 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’02’04’09’11’145’16’20
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 E320 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
E320 RWD3.2L 6-cyl5-speed automatic182621$3,900
E320 (Wagon) RWD3.2L 6-cyl5-speed automatic172520$4,100
E320 4Matic 4WD/AWD3.2L 6-cyl5-speed automatic172420$4,100
E320 4Matic (Wagon) 4WD/AWD3.2L 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 E320 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 E320

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2009862,2093—26—Not enough data
200810120,0003—26—Not enough data
20071785,5514—26—Falling
20064191,4684—27Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200523185,5003—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200420396,5002—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200321499,8502—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20022385,9920—21—Falling
20013889,5000—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200044155,0000—21Not compared (before 2008)Rising
19998385,0000—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19983799,9000—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199763115,0000—20Not compared (before 2008)Rising
199645110,0000—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199596107,5000—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199411146,7540—19—Not enough data

All Mercedes-Benz E320 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Mercedes-Benz E320 have?

NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz E320 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz E320 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 4 complaints (17% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 4.

Has the 2002 Mercedes-Benz E320 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 E320 get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Mercedes-Benz E320 (E320, 3.2L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2002 Mercedes-Benz E320 reported?

Among the 18 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 85,992 miles and the middle half falls between 67,000 and 109,000 miles; 11% 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.