Model year record

2002 MERCEDES BENZ S Class

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 56 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 07V263000

Engine and engine cooling

Component
Engine and engine cooling
Manufacturer
MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.
Vehicles affected
19,924
Reported to NHTSA
2007-06-12
Owners notified
2007-07-02

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS MAY RESULT IN ABC HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKAGE NEAR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. LEAKING FLUID MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS AND LEAD TO A POSSIBLE FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW CORROSION RESISTANT ABC HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 2, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

Recall campaignNHTSA 06V028000

Interior lighting

Component
Interior lighting
Manufacturer
MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.
Vehicles affected
36,911
Reported to NHTSA
2006-02-02
Owners notified
2006-09-29

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

DUE TO INADEQUATE ILLUMINATION, THE DRIVER WILL BE UNABLE TO READ THE GAUGES AND INDICATORS, SUCH AS THE SPEEDOMETER, WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MODULES. THE RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES. PHASE I WAS MAILED OUT TO APPROXIMATELY 7,500 OWNERS ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2006. PHASE II AND PHASE III IS SCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Suspension1258,067 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel678,000 mi
Electrical system598,500 mi
Interior lighting492,000 mi
Suspension: front388,000 mi
Tires3
Air bags275,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine253,632 mi
Equipment258,067 mi
Exterior lighting246,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission247,354 mi
Suspension: front: springs: air suspension system269,000 mi
Air bags: side/window184,500 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash150,300 mi
Electronic stability control: automatic (ASC)182,800 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor189,106 mi
Suspension: front: springs: air suspension: lines and fittings159,950 mi
Suspension: rear: shock absorber190,000 mi
Tires: sidewall1
Unknown or other184,500 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear160,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer160,000 mi

The 2001 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2003 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.