2002 Mercedes-Benz C240 Problems & Complaints

Few complaints50% fewer complaints than a typical year of the C240 at the same age

Owners have filed 13 complaints about the 2002 Mercedes-Benz C240 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is a low number of complaints for a car on sale this long. The most reported problem area is the windows, wipers & sunroof (4 complaints, typically around 62,000 miles). 3 recalls cover this model year.

13complaints
3recalls
1crashes
0fires
1injuries
0deaths

Most common 2002 Mercedes-Benz C240 problems

  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~62,000 miles
    431%
  • Electrical system~120,000 miles
    431%
  • Lights~200,000 miles
    215%
  • Seats~84,000 miles
    18%
  • Air bags~117,000 miles
    18%
  • Stability & traction control~117,000 miles
    18%
  • Seat belts~117,000 miles
    18%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~125,000 miles
    18%
  • Body & structure~185,000 miles
    18%

Share of the 13 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Mercedes-Benz C240 complaints by model year

20012002200320042005813201630
Owner complaints per model year, Mercedes-Benz C240. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best C240 years: 2001, 2002, 2003. Years to avoid: 2005. Compare all years →

2002 Mercedes-Benz C240 recalls (3)

Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly

NHTSA recall 24V-874 · Nov 19, 2024 · 33,456 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and can detach.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly

NHTSA recall 22V-954 · Dec 23, 2022 · 131,653 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 C-Class, CLK, E-Class, and CLS vehicles. Please refer to MBUSA's recall report for specific vehicle model details. The glass sunroof panel may not be properly secured and may detach.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sunroof panel as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2023. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly

NHTSA recall 19V-918 · Dec 20, 2019 · 747,928 vehicles

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2001-2011 vehicles. The bonding between the glass panel and the sliding roof frame may deteriorate, possibly resulting in the glass panel detaching from the vehicle. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RMISC-19V918-4126.pdf

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the glass panel bonding and replace the sliding roof, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began July 10, 2020.

What 2002 Mercedes-Benz C240 owners say

Windows, wipers & sunroof

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Mercedes-Benz C240. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19V918000 (visibility). Flagship motorcars of lynnfield (385 broadway rte. 1 north, lynnfield, ma 01940) was contacted and an appointment was scheduled to have the recall repair performed. Upon leaving the dealer after the recall repair was performed, the contact attempted to use the sun roof however, the sunroof would not close. The contact drove the vehicle back to the dealer and explained the failure. The contact was informed that her sun roof would be reset. The contact was also informed that there was an issue with the motor and that she would have to pay out of pocket for a diagnostic test to determine the failure. The contact refused the serviced and asked the mechanic to seal the sun roof and return the sun roof to its original form. …

Sun/moon roof assembly · 62,000 miles · Aug 2020

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Mercedes-Benz C240. The contact stated that upon purchase of the vehicle, the sun roof rattled while driving at various speeds. The contact then received a notification of NHTSA campaign number :19V918000 (visibility) however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Sun/moon roof assembly · 55,000 miles · Jun 2018

Electrical system

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Mercedes-Benz C240. The contact stated that the instrument panel lights failed to illuminate properly. The contact stated that the odometer was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to Mercedes-Benz of tacoma (1701-c alexander ave e, fife, wa 98424) where it was diagnosed however, the contact was still awaiting information on the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage approximately 90,000. The consumer provided a photo.

Instrument cluster/panel · 90,000 miles · Oct 2020

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Mercedes-Benz C240. While driving various speeds, the instrument cluster lights failed to operate. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 06V028000 (interior lighting). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000. The VIN was not provided.

Instrument cluster/panel · 120,000 miles · Apr 2016

2002 Mercedes-Benz C240 engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
2.6L 6-cyl5-speed automaticRWD17 / 24 / 20
2.6L 6-cyl6-speed manualRWD15 / 24 / 18

EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2002 Mercedes-Benz C240 a good car?

Based on 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2002 C240 rates few complaints: 50% fewer complaints than a typical year of the C240 at the same age. It is one of the best C240 years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2002 Mercedes-Benz C240?

The windows, wipers & sunroof — 4 complaints, 31% of all complaints for this model year, most often about sun/moon roof assembly. Next are the electrical system (4) and lights (2).

How many recalls does the 2002 Mercedes-Benz C240 have?

There are 3 recalls for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz C240, the most recent from November 19, 2024 (sun/moon roof assembly). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz C240?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2001, 2002 and 2003. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2005. See the full Mercedes-Benz C240 years comparison.

At what mileage do 2002 Mercedes-Benz C240 problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 117,000 miles; 0% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.