2002 Mercedes Benz C320

Defect. 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.

Risk. A detached sunroof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall number 22V-954. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2024120001/2/3.

Defect. 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.

Risk. A detached sunroof panel may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. This recall expands NHTSA recall number 19V-918. MBUSA's numbers for this recall are 2023010004, 2023010005, and 2023010006.

Defect. 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

Risk. A detached glass panel can separate from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020040011.

Battery drains after being parked overnight, 58,000 miles, dealer maintained since new. Driven by a little old lady until I bought it. Took it to the dealer and they replaced one of the seat modules. Soon afterward, the problem recurred. Took it back to the dealer and they said it was a defective fuse box and replaced it for $650. Went to pick up the car and the battery was dead again. After some complaining, they refunded the bill. They looked at it again and said the problem was somewhere in the dashboard and it would cost $2300 just to take it apart and look for a bad module. They offered $2300 trade in toward a new or CPO car, and said my car would be sent to the crusher. I took the car back and installed a remote operated battery cutoff, and have been driving it ever since. Other than disturbing the engine computer, it's been running well for three years and 20,000 miles. Lovely car otherwise.

Suddenly started driving badly on the highway. It would swerve side to side after hitting a bump. The rear sits about two inches lower than the front. My trusty independent mechanic said I should check the rear subframe and refrain from driving the car. KBB lists a safety recall for this issue, stating that the rear subframe wasn't sufficiently rustproofed. Mercedes and NHTSA do not list this recall, and my local dealer says the repair will cost around $3,000. May have to scrap the car with 81,000 miles on it.

While changing one of the lights in the headlight housing, I found the wiring's insulation rotting off all the wires, exposing the bare copper presenting a fire hazard.

Vehicle constantly smells like gas inside the cabin, it makes me dizzy and affects my head overall health inhaling vapors. At first I thought I could handle it, but it just gives me nonstop headaches and I'm afraid one spark will ignite/ explode my entire vehicle. This happens everytime I fill the gas tank. I heard their was a warranty extension but don't believe me vehicle was included which is unfortunate. Their is a check engine light informing of a EVAP Leak.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE WHICH CAUSED THE BATTERY TO DRAIN. THE MODULE WAS UNPLUGGED TO PREVENT THE BATTERY FROM BEING DRAINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ C320. THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE DRIVER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND SEVERAL TIMES AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE DRIVER WAS KILLED ON IMPACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE POLICE AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *DT*JB

BATTERY DRAINING

SEATS CONTROL MODULE

WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WHEN ESP, BAS AND ABS LIGHTS SHOW UP, AND SPEEDOMETER DISPLAY STOPS WORKING - SPEED READING GOES TO ZERO, THOUGH THERE IS NO REDUCTION IN SPEED. GET TO DESTINATION. ON RETURN IT HAPPENS AGAIN. THIS TIME I GO TO REST AREA, STOP THE CAR, REMOVE THE KEY AND RESTART. THE CAR REFUSES TO MOVE OUT OF PARK. CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND GET INSTRUCTION TO OVERRIDE PARK, DRIVE HOME WITH FLASHERS ON - VERY ROUGH RIDE QUALITY. TOW TO DEALER NEXT DAY, THEY ARE NOT SURE IF NEW PART WILL FIX IT, EVEN IF $1850 PART IS REPLACED. LOTS OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS OVER THE YEARS. TURN LIGHTS GO OUT ROUTINELY. CHANGED CD CHANGER. SEAT DRAINS BATTERY,HAD TO DISCONNECT IT. POOR ELECTRICAL SENSORS ALL AROUND. NOW IT ALSO HAS RUST DAMAGE, ALL OF A SUDDEN, AT THE BOTTOM OF DOORS.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES C320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER AN HOUR, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,384.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO FUNCTION. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO READ THE GAUGES AND THE INDICATORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V028000 (INTERIOR LIGHTING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

THE SEAT CONTROL UNITS DO NOT SHUT OFF AND CONTINUALLY DRAIN THE BATTERY. THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM FOR THIS MODEL CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER SEAT MODULE WAS DRAINING THE BATTERY AND AS A RESULT, IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000.

FUEL SENDING UNIT FAILURE CAUSING GAS TANK TO LEAK. FUMES SO STRONG IN GARAGE RISK OF EXPLOSION. FUMES PERMEATING HOME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C320. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED THAT CORROSION WAS DEVELOPING ON THE LOWER PANEL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ENTIRE BODY OF THE VEHICLE WAS CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 51,000. UPDATED 12/30/13*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS ALWAYS GARAGED AND WELL MAINTAINED, YET THE DOORS AND UNDER PANELS SHOWED EXTENSIVE CORROSION. THERE WERE SEVERAL PRONOUNCED PAINT BUBBLING AND RUST SPOTS THAT HAVE PERMEATED THROUGHOUT THE BODY.

DRIVING FROM SAN FRANCISCO (SEA LEVEL) AND EVENTUALLY DESCENDING FROM ECHO PASS AT 7200 FEET ELEV TO LAKE TAHOE (6200 FEET ELEV) ON HIWAY 50, ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE VEHICLE DISPLAY SHOWED AN ESP WARNING LIGHT WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY THE ENGINE WENT INTO 'IDLE' MODE (ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING) AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL COULD SUMMON NO POWER. PULLED OVER AND TURNED CAR OFF COMPLETELY TO PONDER. TURNED CAR BACK ON AND THE ESP WARNING LIGHT WAS GONE. THERE WAS FULL ACCELERATOR POWER AGAIN. CONTINUING THE DRIVE INTO SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, WE EXPERIENCED THE SAME EXACT THING AGAIN TWO MORE TIMES IN ONLY ABOUT 15 MILES HAVING TO DO THE SAME RESTARTING & CLEARING THE ESP WARNING TO GET TO OUR DESTINATION. IT CONTINUED TO OCCUR SEVERAL MORE TIMES IN THE 2 DAYS WE WERE AT TAHOE. WE WERE WORRIED ABOUT MAKING IT BACK TO SF. WE DECIDED TO TRY IT AND WE LEFT ECHO LAKE (7200 FEET) AND DESCENDED TO SF (SEA LEVEL) BUT THE ESP WARNING DID NOT COME ON AGAIN AT ALL FOR THE NEXT THREE WEEKS. ONLY LAST WEEKEND, WE HEADED BACK UP TO THE EXACT SAME LOCATION AT ECHO LAKE AND BEHOLD, THE ESP WARNING CAME BACK ON. BY RESTARTING THE CAR AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL SEVERAL TIMES ALL THE WAY LEFT TO RIGHT OVER AND OVER, DID THE ESP FINALLY GO OUT AND WE THEN DROVE ALL TYHE WAY HOME AGAIN TO SF. THE ESP WARNING HAS SINCE NOT COME BACK ON, NOR HAS THE CAR STOPPED OR SWITCHED INTO AN 'IDLE' MODE. IT IS A NUISANCE AND CLEARLY ELECTRONIC......FAULTY SWITCHES/SENSORS ?

THERE HAVE BEEN TWO WARNING LIGHTS FOR REAR LIGHTS AND AFTER DRIVING FOR 4 HOURS, A WARNING CAME ON FOR ELECTRICAL STABILITY AND MY CAR QUIT WORKING COMPLETELY. THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL AND I HAD TO RESTART IT. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES C320. THE CONTACT STATED HE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY IN THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THE SEAT CONTROLS FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT DRAINED THE BATTERY AND THE SEAT CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 90,904. *TR

I CAME OUT AND MY BATTERY WAS DEAD WITHOUT WARNING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DOWNTOWN LA MOTORS(MERCEDES BENZ) DEALER, WHERE THEY EXPLAINED THAT THE SEAT CONTROL MODULES WERE STAYING ON AND CAUSING THE BATTERY TO DRAIN. I SUBSEQUENTLY HAD TO UNHOOK THE SEAT CONTROLS AND NOW I AM UNABLE TO MOVE MY SEATS OR STEERING WHEEL. THEY ESTIMATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST AROUND 1500. NUMEROUS CUSTOMERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE ON THE SAME VEHICLE, IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND NOT THE FAULT OF MERCEDES BENZ CONSUMERS. *TR