Total Complaints
22 filings
MERCEDES-BENZ 320 · model year
2002 MERCEDES-BENZ 320
22 NHTSA complaints. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2002MERCEDES-BENZ320 carries 22 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 2002 320 is electrical system with 3 filings, followed by tires (2) and structure (2). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause.
NHTSA currently has 15 investigation files overlapping the 2002 320. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.
22
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 3 |
| TIRES | 2 |
| STRUCTURE | 2 |
| STEERING | 2 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR | 1 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER | 1 |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 |
| SEATS | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20140505FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
WITHOUT NOTICABLE WARNING, THE SENSOR PANEL FLASH FOR A SECOND, THEN THE CAR CAME TO A SUDDEN AND COMPLETE STOP, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF BUSY FREEWAY. AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF ROAD. AFTER TOWING TO AN EXPERIENCED MERCEDES REPAIR SHOP, THEY CONCLUDED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE POWER SHUTDOWN BY DESIGN TO PROTECT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BECAUSE THE ALTERNATOR WAS OVERCHARGIJNG. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO MERCEDES -BENZ AT MONTVALE, NJ, THEY DID NOT WANT TO DO ANY INVESTIGATION OR FOLLOW-UP. SIMILAR INCIDENT ON 12/31/2012 ON THE SAME MODEL, SAME YEAR WAS REPORTED ON YOUR WEBSITE DATED MARCH 17, 2013 BY ANOTHER DRIVER . *TR
Mileage: 61,526
20140505ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WITHOUT NOTICABLE WARNING, THE SENSOR PANEL FLASH FOR A SECOND, THEN THE CAR CAME TO A SUDDEN AND COMPLETE STOP, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF BUSY FREEWAY. AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF ROAD. AFTER TOWING TO AN EXPERIENCED MERCEDES REPAIR SHOP, THEY CONCLUDED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE POWER SHUTDOWN BY DESIGN TO PROTECT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BECAUSE THE ALTERNATOR WAS OVERCHARGIJNG. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO MERCEDES -BENZ AT MONTVALE, NJ, THEY DID NOT WANT TO DO ANY INVESTIGATION OR FOLLOW-UP. SIMILAR INCIDENT ON 12/31/2012 ON THE SAME MODEL, SAME YEAR WAS REPORTED ON YOUR WEBSITE DATED MARCH 17, 2013 BY ANOTHER DRIVER . *TR
Mileage: 61,526
20140505ENGINE
WITHOUT NOTICABLE WARNING, THE SENSOR PANEL FLASH FOR A SECOND, THEN THE CAR CAME TO A SUDDEN AND COMPLETE STOP, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF BUSY FREEWAY. AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF ROAD. AFTER TOWING TO AN EXPERIENCED MERCEDES REPAIR SHOP, THEY CONCLUDED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE POWER SHUTDOWN BY DESIGN TO PROTECT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BECAUSE THE ALTERNATOR WAS OVERCHARGIJNG. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO MERCEDES -BENZ AT MONTVALE, NJ, THEY DID NOT WANT TO DO ANY INVESTIGATION OR FOLLOW-UP. SIMILAR INCIDENT ON 12/31/2012 ON THE SAME MODEL, SAME YEAR WAS REPORTED ON YOUR WEBSITE DATED MARCH 17, 2013 BY ANOTHER DRIVER . *TR
Mileage: 61,526
20130519SEATS
THE PASSENGER SEAT POWER ADJUSTMENT MODULE SHORTED, DRAINING THE BATTERY AND CAUSING A NO-START CONDITION. WHILE THIS DID NOT OCCUR WHILE STUCK IN TRAFFIC, IT EASILY COULD HAVE, CAUSING A SERIOUS HAZARD FOR MYSELF, ANY PASSENGER OR ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE SEAT MODULE HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED SO THERE IS NO LONGER THE ABILITY TO ADJUST THE SEAT AND OBTAIN PROPER CLEARANCE FROM THE AIRBAG OR TO PROPERLY ADJUST THE SEAT AND ALLOW A CHILD SEAT TO FIT AS DESIGNED IN THE REAR SEAT. *TR
Mileage: 124,796
20090324STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ 320. IN NOVEMBER OF 2008, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V121000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS) AND TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INSTALLED A NEW HOSE CLAMP ON THE POWER STEERING HOSE TO THE POWER STEERING COOLER. ONE MONTH LATER, SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE. SHE WENT TO THE NEAREST MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS COMPLETELY DRY AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS DAMAGED. ONE WEEK LATER, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SECOND RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V465000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS), WHICH REQUESTED THAT SHE BRING HER VEHICLE BACK FOR REPAIR. THE FIRST REPAIR MAY NOT HAVE SUFFICIENTLY PREVENTED A FUTURE LEAKAGE OR FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING HOSE CONNECTION. WHEN THE CONTACT RETURNED TO THE DEALER, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE PUMP WAS LEAKING AND THAT A NEW PUMP WAS NEEDED. THE DEALER WO
Mileage: 47,631
20081015STRUCTURE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ ML 320. WHILE PARKED IN THE CONTACT'S DRIVEWAY, AFTER SEVERE RAIN, WATER LEAKED APPROXIMATELY FOUR INCHES ABOVE THE OPENINGS OF THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE REAR INTERIOR DOORS. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE POWER STEERING HOSE. THE TECHNICIAN ADDED ADDITIONAL POWER STEERING FLUID INTO THE RESERVOIR, WHICH WAS EXTREMELY LOW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWERING STEERING FLUID LEVEL WAS BEING MONITORED IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 79,000.
Mileage: 79,000
20081015STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ ML 320. WHILE PARKED IN THE CONTACT'S DRIVEWAY, AFTER SEVERE RAIN, WATER LEAKED APPROXIMATELY FOUR INCHES ABOVE THE OPENINGS OF THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE REAR INTERIOR DOORS. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE POWER STEERING HOSE. THE TECHNICIAN ADDED ADDITIONAL POWER STEERING FLUID INTO THE RESERVOIR, WHICH WAS EXTREMELY LOW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWERING STEERING FLUID LEVEL WAS BEING MONITORED IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 79,000.
Mileage: 79,000
20050503ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE BURNED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OIL. *JB
Mileage: 30,000
20041104VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT ON RAINY DAYS THE VISIBILITY WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT. *AK THERE WAS A FAILURE IN COMPUTER CHIPS, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED WITH THE POOR VISIBILITY OF THE WINDSHIELD, HORN FAILURE, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHT FAILURE, STALLING, CATALYTIC CONVERTER RATTLING, INOPERATIVE WASHER JETS, BROKEN GLOVE BOX, NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, FAULTY FUEL PUMP, LOUD WHINING NOISE FORM UNDER THE SEAT, AND A WHIRRING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE CENTER VENTS. *SC
Mileage: 1,088
20041104ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT ON RAINY DAYS THE VISIBILITY WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT. *AK THERE WAS A FAILURE IN COMPUTER CHIPS, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED WITH THE POOR VISIBILITY OF THE WINDSHIELD, HORN FAILURE, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHT FAILURE, STALLING, CATALYTIC CONVERTER RATTLING, INOPERATIVE WASHER JETS, BROKEN GLOVE BOX, NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, FAULTY FUEL PUMP, LOUD WHINING NOISE FORM UNDER THE SEAT, AND A WHIRRING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE CENTER VENTS. *SC
Mileage: 1,088
20041104ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT ON RAINY DAYS THE VISIBILITY WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT. *AK THERE WAS A FAILURE IN COMPUTER CHIPS, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED WITH THE POOR VISIBILITY OF THE WINDSHIELD, HORN FAILURE, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHT FAILURE, STALLING, CATALYTIC CONVERTER RATTLING, INOPERATIVE WASHER JETS, BROKEN GLOVE BOX, NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, FAULTY FUEL PUMP, LOUD WHINING NOISE FORM UNDER THE SEAT, AND A WHIRRING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE CENTER VENTS. *SC
Mileage: 1,088
20041104ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT ON RAINY DAYS THE VISIBILITY WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT. *AK THERE WAS A FAILURE IN COMPUTER CHIPS, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED WITH THE POOR VISIBILITY OF THE WINDSHIELD, HORN FAILURE, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHT FAILURE, STALLING, CATALYTIC CONVERTER RATTLING, INOPERATIVE WASHER JETS, BROKEN GLOVE BOX, NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, FAULTY FUEL PUMP, LOUD WHINING NOISE FORM UNDER THE SEAT, AND A WHIRRING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE CENTER VENTS. *SC
Mileage: 1,088
20041104VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT ON RAINY DAYS THE VISIBILITY WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT. *AK THERE WAS A FAILURE IN COMPUTER CHIPS, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED WITH THE POOR VISIBILITY OF THE WINDSHIELD, HORN FAILURE, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHT FAILURE, STALLING, CATALYTIC CONVERTER RATTLING, INOPERATIVE WASHER JETS, BROKEN GLOVE BOX, NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, FAULTY FUEL PUMP, LOUD WHINING NOISE FORM UNDER THE SEAT, AND A WHIRRING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE CENTER VENTS. *SC
Mileage: 1,088
20041104STRUCTURE
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT ON RAINY DAYS THE VISIBILITY WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT. *AK THERE WAS A FAILURE IN COMPUTER CHIPS, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED WITH THE POOR VISIBILITY OF THE WINDSHIELD, HORN FAILURE, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHT FAILURE, STALLING, CATALYTIC CONVERTER RATTLING, INOPERATIVE WASHER JETS, BROKEN GLOVE BOX, NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, FAULTY FUEL PUMP, LOUD WHINING NOISE FORM UNDER THE SEAT, AND A WHIRRING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE CENTER VENTS. *SC
Mileage: 1,088
20041104FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT ON RAINY DAYS THE VISIBILITY WOULD BECOME DIFFICULT. *AK THERE WAS A FAILURE IN COMPUTER CHIPS, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED WITH THE POOR VISIBILITY OF THE WINDSHIELD, HORN FAILURE, INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHT FAILURE, STALLING, CATALYTIC CONVERTER RATTLING, INOPERATIVE WASHER JETS, BROKEN GLOVE BOX, NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, FAULTY FUEL PUMP, LOUD WHINING NOISE FORM UNDER THE SEAT, AND A WHIRRING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE CENTER VENTS. *SC
Mileage: 1,088
20040804VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S WIPER BLADES, SEAT SETTINGS, STEERING PUMP. *MR DEALER NOTIFIED. *CB
20040804SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S WIPER BLADES, SEAT SETTINGS, STEERING PUMP. *MR DEALER NOTIFIED. *CB
20040804STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S WIPER BLADES, SEAT SETTINGS, STEERING PUMP. *MR DEALER NOTIFIED. *CB
20040630TIRES
I WAS DRIVING CAR WITH CONTINENTAL CONTI TOURING TIRES (SIZE 205/65R16) AT SPEED OF ABOUT 60 MILES AN HOUR. SUDDENLY RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW UP. ON INSPECTION THERE WAS NO PUNCTURE AND SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE HAD BLOWN UP. CONTINENTAL INDICATED THAT CAUSE OF THE BLOW OUT WAS UNDETERMINED AND THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE.*AK
Mileage: 7,500
20031219SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
SEAT DOES NOT RETURN TO THE PRESET POSITION WITH KEY ACTIVATION. *AK
Compare 2002MERCEDES-BENZ320 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ 320 have?▼
The 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ 320 has 22 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ 320?▼
The most-complained component for the 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ 320 is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include TIRES and STRUCTURE.
Is the 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ 320 safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data vintage: August 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ 320; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.