Most common 2002 Mercedes-Benz E Class problems
Share of the 8 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mercedes-Benz E Class complaints by model year
Best E Class years: 1995, 1996, 2008. Years to avoid: 2003, 2000, 1997, 1998, 2001. Compare all years →
What 2002 Mercedes-Benz E Class owners say
Electrical system
I reiterate ....this vehicle is a death trap! Mercedes Benz installed power seat controllers in this car that fail very frequently. This design flaw causes the unit to run power seat components constantly even when the car is parked, key removed and the car is locked. Within 2-11 hours, the activity of this fault seat controller unit drains the car battery! When you try to jump start the car as per Mercedes Benz owners manual instructions, the process causes the rear left sam (signal acquisition and actuator module driver side) to lose partial or full memory. This affects a whole host of systems including fuel delivery, tail & head lights. Items that are essential to operating a vehicle on the public roads safely! The other day, April 25th, 2014, the fuel delivery on my 2002 mb c32 amg failed suddenly while I was on the highway! …
Instrument cluster lighting faded to point of barely being able to see pixels in display.no temperature reading-no clock reading and speedometer is barely readable.manufacturer acknowledged fault on other Mercedes models but not the e-Class.don't drive car much at night because of barely readable display.
2002 Mercedes-Benz E Class engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 24 / 20 |
| 4.3L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 23 / 18 |
| 4.3L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 21 / 18 |
| 5.4L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 22 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Mercedes-Benz E Class a good car?
Based on 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2002 E Class rates average: 33% fewer complaints than a typical year of the E Class at the same age. 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 E Class?
The electrical system — 3 complaints, 38% of all complaints for this model year, most often about instrument cluster/panel. Next are the windows, wipers & sunroof (2) and wheels & tires (1).
How many recalls does the 2002 Mercedes-Benz E Class have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz E Class. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz E Class?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1995, 1996 and 2008. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2003, 2000, 1997, 1998 and 2001. See the full Mercedes-Benz E Class years comparison.
At what mileage do 2002 Mercedes-Benz E Class problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 50,000 miles; 50% 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.