2002 Mercedes-Benz S Class Problems
- Complaints
- 48filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 78,139miles, 41 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S Class (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 48 consumer complaints for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S Class. The part named most often is suspension, with 19 complaints (40% of the total), followed by electrical system (12) and engine cooling (4). 41 of the complaints include a mileage, and 20% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 78,139 miles. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 6 technical service bulletins for this model year. Suspension complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 1 NHTSA investigation filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
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.
- Suspension19 40%
- Electrical system12 25%
- Engine cooling4 8.3%
- Interior lighting4 8.3%
- Air bags3 6.3%
- Tires3 6.3%
- Equipment2 4.2%
- Exterior lighting2 4.2%
Also reported: Electronic stability control (1), Other or unknown (1).
Example complaints
Suspension: “There was no warning it just gave a alert that the car was riding low and to stop. Airmatic suspension for a 2002 s430. Very costly, I did research and found out that this problem is a common occurrence for mercedes S Class. I believe it is a defect at the manufacturer and mb should be held account for said defect.”
NHTSA complaint #10355005, filed 2010-09, 105,236 milesElectrical system: “My 2002 mercedes s430 instrument cluster back lighting went out while I was driving and I could not see my rate of speed. Along with not seeing my rate of speed my fuel and temperature was not visable. I called mercedes dealer in virginia about the recall that came out in 2006 and I was told that the recall had expired. Looking on the internet there is a 10 year extension but I was told that it was from the time the car was manufactured. I have never heard of such in my life and I would like to know the bottom line truth to this situation.”
NHTSA complaint #10427710, filed 2011-09, 89,533 milesEngine cooling: “Idle pulley (plastic) failed/broke on I-68 at top of sideling hill gap causing loss of power steering and other power related items. Car hard to control going down long, steep hill. When pulley broke, serpentine belt fell off. We were informed that this is not an uncommon problem. Car only has 53,000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10278175, filed 2009-07, 53,632 milesInterior lighting: “Instrument panel has failed, no illumination. I can not see my gauges. I contacted a local dealer and they said my VIN # does not apply to the recall. It is a 2002 mercedes benz s430.”
NHTSA complaint #10170182, filed 2006-10, 92,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
20% of the 41 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 53,632 and 96,423 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
- 07V263000Jun 12, 2007SuspensionCovers: Mercedes-Benz S Class 2000–2004, CL Class 2000–2004
On certain 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 humidity causing deterioration of the hose.
- 06V028000Feb 2, 2006Interior lightingCovers: Mercedes-Benz S Class 2000–2002, 2004–2005, CL Class 2000–2002, 2004–2005
On certain vehicles, the instrument cluster is experiencing electrical malfunctions. The instrument cluster contains gauges and indicators that must be illuminated whenever the vehicle is in operation.
Recall details for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S Class → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE07042Air suspension system failureClosed · Aug 14, 2007
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. 6 on record; the latest 6 are shown.
- 10136035Jun 23, 2014Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). Complaints about poor wiping effect of winshield wiper
- 10030939Jul 31, 2009Brakes. Mercedes: parktronic intermittently not functioning. The function works again after a short time or distance. When the foot operated parking brake is applied, the parktronic system is deactivated…
- 10030929Jun 15, 2009Brakes. Mercedes: corrosion protection coatings for brake components and hardware may be damaged and or stripped away if highly concentrated acid based cleaners are used. Once the corrosion protection is…
- 10025845Jul 28, 2008Exterior lighting. Mercedes benz: water in tail lamp housing on either right side or left side.
- 10019492Feb 14, 2006Electrical system. Instrument cluster shows dashes instead of main odometer reading.
- 10014583Mar 16, 2005Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). Seal between exterior rear view mirror housing and door.
Other model years of the Mercedes-Benz S Class
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 15 | 38,388 | 4 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2003 | 28 | 55,000 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 48 | 78,139 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 36 | 96,000 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 81 | 84,000 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 9 | 96,500 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1996 | 6 | 121,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 27 | 130,500 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 12 | 129,750 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Mercedes-Benz S Class model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S Class have?
NHTSA recorded 48 consumer complaints for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S Class as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S Class is reported most often?
Suspension is named most often, in 19 complaints (40% of the total), followed by electrical system with 12.
Has the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S Class been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 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 S Class reported?
Among the 41 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 78,139 miles and the middle half falls between 53,632 and 96,423 miles; 20% 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.
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.