2002 Mercedes-Benz S Class Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 25%of 48 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 83,766miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S Class, 25% of the 48 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 83,766 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 miles“The instrument cluster issue I am experiencing began approximately july, 2012. Initially, the dashboard lights would flicker briefly and then illuminate again. Subsequent to the frequent flickering incidents, the cluster lighting didn't illuminate at all, with the exception of the small diagnostic viewer. Currently, all lighting, gauges, and any diagnostic instruments, including the control buttons located on the steering wheel do not function. …”
NHTSA complaint #10476954, filed 2012-09, 130,000 miles“Instrument cluster failure. All lighting for instrument dark/unreadable (speedometer,tach,odometer,fuel,temp,turn signal etc). Taken to dealer and I paid for rebuild to unit. Identical failure occured again after approx 3 months.”
NHTSA complaint #10498146, filed 2013-02, 46,000 miles“On starting the vehicle, the instrument panel was black without illumination or reading. As a result, gauges to speedometer, odometer, fuel, warnings to malfunctions, tachometer, oil pressure, & engine temperature are not present.”
NHTSA complaint #10460751, filed 2012-06, 103,000 miles“The contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz s-class. The contact stated that while driving 58 MPH, all of the instrument panel lights and gauges failed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home and the dealer was contacted. The dealer advised the contact that there was an electronic malfunction. The manufacturer confirmed that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The failure mileage was 98500.”
NHTSA complaint #10458150, filed 2012-05, 98,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10019492Feb 14, 2006Instrument cluster shows dashes instead of main odometer reading.
Electrical system: other model years
Other parts of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S Class
19 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsInterior lighting
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsTires
3 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S Class
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology