2002 Mercedes-Benz M Class Problems
- Complaints
- 5filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 50,450miles, 4 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 5campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz M Class (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz M Class. The part named most often is air bags, with 1 complaints (20% of the total), followed by brakes (1) and electronic stability control (1). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 50,450 miles. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 3 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation 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.
- Air bags1 20%
- Brakes1 20%
- Engine cooling1 20%
- Steering1 20%
Example complaints
Air bags: “- the contact called to report that the airbag indicator light says that the airbag is off in her 2002 mercedes M Class. There is a light next to the airbag that says srs which is on. The vehicle was traveling approximately 60-65 MPH when the contact was adjusted the front passenger seat and the airbag light deployed. This is the first time this has happened.”
NHTSA complaint #10176796, filed 2006-12Brakes: “One day after washing the car, the rear brake sticks until pressing the gas pedal and force the brake to release. It makes a loud cracking noise during the force release. The noise is so loud that you may think you hit something from your bumper if you don't know the problem. Mbz said that's normal because of the rust overnight. They did took the brake apart, clean and put them back together. They told me it's my responsiblity to drive the car after I wash to car to get rid of the excess water within the brake pads. …”
NHTSA complaint #10070801, filed 2004-01, 3,261 milesElectronic stability control: “While driving her 2002 mercedes ml 500 at a steady 40 MPH in traffic the electronic stability control engaged for no reason locking the brakes and making the vehicle uncontrollable and unresponsive to driver input. The only thing that prevented us from being hit was there was no one behind us, had this of occurred going through an intersection we would have certainly have been hit. …”
NHTSA complaint #10351389, filed 2010-08, 60,000 milesEngine cooling: “The contact owns a 2002 Mercedes-Benz m430. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH the vehicle started to jerk and it suddenly stalled without any warning. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle and it was towed to the closes dealer. The vehicle failure was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure and current mileage was approximately 40,900. The VIN was unavailable.”
NHTSA complaint #10442484, filed 2012-01, 40,900 milesMileage when problems were reported
50% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 40,900 and 60,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 11V208000Mar 31, 2011Vehicle speed control › Cruise controlCovers: Mercedes-Benz M Class 1999–2003
Mercedes-benz is recalling certain model year 1999-2002 m-class and model year 2000-2003 m-class amg vehicles. The cruise control system in the affected vehicles allows the driver to disengage the system in a number of ways, including tapping the brake…
- 08V465000Sep 17, 2008Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connectionsCovers: Mercedes-Benz M Class 1998–2004
Mercedes-benz is recalling 125,228 my 1998-2004 m-class vehicles. The hose clamp used to secure the power steering fluid cooling hose to the power steering fluid cooler may not provide sufficient clamping force for this connection.
- 03V121000Mar 27, 2003Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connectionsCovers: Mercedes-Benz M Class 1998–2003
On certain passenger vehicles, the hose clamp used to secure the power steering fluid cooling hose to the power steering fluid cooler may not provide sufficient clamping force for this connection.
- 02V203000Jul 26, 2002Seat belts › Front › Warning light/devicesCovers: Mercedes-Benz M Class 2002
Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, s7.3, "occupant crash protection." the seat belt chimes may not function as designed and is not consistent with the requirements of the standard.
- 02V058000Feb 13, 2002Tires › SidewallCovers: Mercedes-Benz M Class 2002
Certain passenger vehicles equipped with dunlop sp5000 tires. Some of these tires have a separation around the entire circumference in the area of the side wall and tread.
Recall details for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz M Class → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE10050Brake lamp switch failure.Closed · Dec 21, 2010
- EA08009Brake line chafeClosed · Apr 28, 2008
- RQ08002Power steering hose leakClosed · Mar 11, 2008
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. 3 on record; the latest 3 are shown.
- 10051989Feb 15, 2013Steering. Mercedes: see document search button for owner letter. The lower power steering hose and clamp should be replace, under extended warranty, due to power steering leakage from connection to power…
- 10016685May 16, 2005Electrical system. Esp lamp illuminated.
- 10012829Feb 7, 2005Engine cooling. Engine will not start and fault message start error appears in instrument cluster.
Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz M Class
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 14 | 4,481 | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 10 | 24,334 | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 5 | 50,450 | 5 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 5 | 45,000 | 4 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2000 | 25 | 75,000 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 18 | 100,050 | 4 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1998 | 5 | 67,700 | 4 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Mercedes-Benz M Class model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Mercedes-Benz M Class have?
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz M Class as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz M Class is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 1 complaints (20% of the total), followed by brakes with 1.
Has the 2002 Mercedes-Benz M Class been recalled?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2002 Mercedes-Benz M Class reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 50,450 miles and the middle half falls between 40,900 and 60,000 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
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.