MERCEDES-BENZ CL CLASS · model year

2002 MERCEDES-BENZ CL CLASS

25 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002MERCEDES-BENZCL CLASS carries 25 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 2 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2002 CL CLASS is suspension with 6 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling (4) and electrical system: instrument cluster/panel (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 15 investigation files overlapping the 2002 CL CLASS. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

25
Complaints
1
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

25 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SUSPENSION6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
INTERIOR LIGHTING2
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR1
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW1
TIRES1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC1
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS1
WHEELS1
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR1

Recent Complaints

20111027FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN ABNORMAL SMOKE WAS EMITTED FROM THE EXHAUST. THE ABC SENSOR WARNING LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED ABC HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKING NEAR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO ADVISED THAT THEY HAD REPAIRED THE VEHICLE JUNE 07, 2007 UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V263000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT TAKE ANY LIABILITY FOR THE RECENT FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

Mileage: 84,000

20110614VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RUBBER SEAL THAT WAS HELD BETWEEN THE MIRRORS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE DOOR THAT WAS SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THEY COULD NOT REPLACE THE RUBBER ONLY, BUT WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE MIRROR ATTACHMENT AT A COST OF $1,000 EACH. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 80,000

20100825INTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MODULE WOULD NEED REPLACING OR WOULD NEED TO BE REBUILT. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT OF A POSSIBLE RECALL ON THE VEHICLE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V028000 -INTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,600.

Mileage: 110,000

20100813ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

EXTENSIVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IN 2002 CL500 MERCEDES BENZ. VEHICLE SEATS MOVE ON THEIR OWN WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION. WINDOWS GO UP AND DOWN ON THEIR OWN; LOCK IN WHATEVER POSITION IT CHOSE; HYDRAULICS IN THIS VEHICLE GO UP AND DOWN AT WILL. VEHICLE WILL LEAN ON ONE SIDE, THEN DROP TO WHERE IT IS UNDRIVEABLE, THEN RAISE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE. THE KEY HAS DECODED ITSELF AND WOULD NOT START THE VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THE NEW KEY HAD TO BE RECODED AS IT STARTED THE CAR AND THEN WOULD NOT START THE CAR. BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED MORE THAN ONCE AND THE CAR STILL STARTS FINE ONE DAY AND NOT AT ALL THE NEXT AND THEN WILL BE FINE ON THE THIRD DAY. I CAN GO ON AND ON. WE HAVE ONLY OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 2 YEARS AND HAVE SPENT IN EXCESS OF $10,000 IN REPAIRS THAT DO NOT REPAIR THIS VEHICLE. I STILL HAVE A VERY LARGE BALANCE ON THIS NIGHTMARE OF A "VEHICLE" BUT DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DRIVE. IT IS PRESENTLY BEING REPAIRED FOR A WINDOW ISSUE. IT SIMPLY WOULD NOT GO UP. WHEN IT D

Mileage: 33,000

20090809INTERIOR LIGHTING

2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL500 THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SAG & THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATION CLUSTER SUDDENLY WENT COMPLETELY DARK WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHATSOEVER. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING INTERMITTENTLY, THE DEALERSHIP ALWAYS CHARGES US EACH OCCURRENCE TO "FIX IT.". NOW I FIND BOTH PROBLEMS ARE IN SAFETY CAMPAIGN NUMBERS 04V228000 AND 06V028000 THESE ARE RECALLS. WHAT CAN I DO TO GET THESE PROBLEMS FIXED CORRECTLY THIS TIME WITHOUT THE DEALERSHIP TRYING TO USE US AS A CASH HORSE & GETTING RIPPED OFF AS IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN. THE PANEL IS COMPLETELY DARK & WE CANNOT SEE ANY GAUGES OR INDICATORS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND ASSISTANCE. *TR

Mileage: 41,000

20090809SUSPENSION

2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL500 THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SAG & THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATION CLUSTER SUDDENLY WENT COMPLETELY DARK WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHATSOEVER. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING INTERMITTENTLY, THE DEALERSHIP ALWAYS CHARGES US EACH OCCURRENCE TO "FIX IT.". NOW I FIND BOTH PROBLEMS ARE IN SAFETY CAMPAIGN NUMBERS 04V228000 AND 06V028000 THESE ARE RECALLS. WHAT CAN I DO TO GET THESE PROBLEMS FIXED CORRECTLY THIS TIME WITHOUT THE DEALERSHIP TRYING TO USE US AS A CASH HORSE & GETTING RIPPED OFF AS IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN. THE PANEL IS COMPLETELY DARK & WE CANNOT SEE ANY GAUGES OR INDICATORS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND ASSISTANCE. *TR

Mileage: 41,000

20090727STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CLK430. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE CONVERTIBLE ROOF, SHE NOTICED THAT THE ROLL BARS WERE STUCK IN PLACE. AS A RESULT, THE CONVERTIBLE TOP COULD NOT OPEN COMPLETELY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 8/27/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS A NOISE AND THEN THE REAR HEADREST POPPED UP. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO BRING THE HEADREST DOWN AND THEN HE/SHE NOTICED CONVERTIBLE TOP WOULD NOT GO DOWN. THE CONSUMER TO THE VEHICLE FOR A DIAGNOSIS AND THE MECHANIC STATED THE ROLL BAR AND MECHANICS WERE BROKEN. ALSO THE FRONT WHEEL WAS LOOSE. THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS PLAY FROM SIDE TO SIDE. UPDATED 09/09/09*JB

Mileage: 30,000

20090727WHEELS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CLK430. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE CONVERTIBLE ROOF, SHE NOTICED THAT THE ROLL BARS WERE STUCK IN PLACE. AS A RESULT, THE CONVERTIBLE TOP COULD NOT OPEN COMPLETELY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 8/27/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS A NOISE AND THEN THE REAR HEADREST POPPED UP. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO BRING THE HEADREST DOWN AND THEN HE/SHE NOTICED CONVERTIBLE TOP WOULD NOT GO DOWN. THE CONSUMER TO THE VEHICLE FOR A DIAGNOSIS AND THE MECHANIC STATED THE ROLL BAR AND MECHANICS WERE BROKEN. ALSO THE FRONT WHEEL WAS LOOSE. THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS PLAY FROM SIDE TO SIDE. UPDATED 09/09/09*JB

Mileage: 30,000

20081107SUSPENSION

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL CLASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V263000 (SUSPENSION). THE DEALER REPAIRED THE ABC VALVE BLOCK AT THE COST OF $2,200 AND STATED THAT THERE WERE MATERIALS IN THE FLUID OF THE ABC SYSTEM, WHICH CAUSED THE BLOCKAGE. THERE IS A HOSE THAT CONNECTS TO THE SYSTEM AND THE FLUID ONLY ENTERS ONE WAY AND EXITS THE SAME WAY; THEREFORE, THE BLOCKAGE IS DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE HOSE THAT IS ATTACHED. CURRENTLY, A WEEK LATER, THE FAILURE HAS RECURRED WITH THE REAR ABC VALVE. THE REPAIR ALSO COST $2,200. THE DEALER ACCUSED THE CONTACT OF BEING THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE FOR FREE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 11/26/08 *CN UPDATED 12/01/08.*JB

Mileage: 85,000

20081107SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL CLASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V263000 (SUSPENSION). THE DEALER REPAIRED THE ABC VALVE BLOCK AT THE COST OF $2,200 AND STATED THAT THERE WERE MATERIALS IN THE FLUID OF THE ABC SYSTEM, WHICH CAUSED THE BLOCKAGE. THERE IS A HOSE THAT CONNECTS TO THE SYSTEM AND THE FLUID ONLY ENTERS ONE WAY AND EXITS THE SAME WAY; THEREFORE, THE BLOCKAGE IS DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE HOSE THAT IS ATTACHED. CURRENTLY, A WEEK LATER, THE FAILURE HAS RECURRED WITH THE REAR ABC VALVE. THE REPAIR ALSO COST $2,200. THE DEALER ACCUSED THE CONTACT OF BEING THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE FOR FREE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 11/26/08 *CN UPDATED 12/01/08.*JB

Mileage: 85,000

20080828SUSPENSION

LEFT REAR OF CAR SINKS AFTER SITTING FOR MORE THAN 8 HOURS. MERCEDES BENZ HAS REPAIRED MANY TIMES BUT THE PROBLEM STILL COMES BACK. REPAIRED MEASURES INCLUDE REPLACING VALVES ASSOCIATED WITH THE ABC SUSPENSION, THE ABC PUMP HAS ALSO BEEN REPLACED AND HAVE ALSO FLUSHED THE ABC FLUID AND REPLACED THE FILTER ON MANY OCCASIONS. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAS NOT GONE AWAY. SOMETIMES WHEN THE CAR IS SITTING FOR MORE THAN A DAY THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL ALARM COMES ON IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I HAVE NOT OBSERVED ANY ABC FLUID LOSS. *TR

Mileage: 54,000

20080828ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

LEFT REAR OF CAR SINKS AFTER SITTING FOR MORE THAN 8 HOURS. MERCEDES BENZ HAS REPAIRED MANY TIMES BUT THE PROBLEM STILL COMES BACK. REPAIRED MEASURES INCLUDE REPLACING VALVES ASSOCIATED WITH THE ABC SUSPENSION, THE ABC PUMP HAS ALSO BEEN REPLACED AND HAVE ALSO FLUSHED THE ABC FLUID AND REPLACED THE FILTER ON MANY OCCASIONS. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAS NOT GONE AWAY. SOMETIMES WHEN THE CAR IS SITTING FOR MORE THAN A DAY THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL ALARM COMES ON IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I HAVE NOT OBSERVED ANY ABC FLUID LOSS. *TR

Mileage: 54,000

20071119TIRES

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL CLASS. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR DUNLOP D401, SIZE 90/90-19 52H TIRES, WHICH WERE PURCHASED FOUR DAYS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A THUMP AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE DROVE DIFFERENTLY. SHE PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE WAS HANGING FROM THE RIM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE. THE TIRE COMPANY STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE TIRES. THE POWERTRAIN AND DOT NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 69,875.

Mileage: 69,875

20070830ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES CLK430. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LCD THAT DISPLAYED THE SPEED, GEARS, TEMPERATURE, AND CLOCK IS NOT OPERATING NORMALLY AND THE HE IS UNABLE TO READ THE GAUGES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000. UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07 *JB

Mileage: 18,000

20070822SUSPENSION

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL CLASS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABC LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING HYDRAULIC FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER DUE TO A RECALL AND THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY REPAIRED THE ABC PRESSURE HOSE AND THE HYDRAULIC PUMP LEAK. THE CONTACT WAS CHARGED $2,824 FOR THE REPAIR WORK AND WAS INFORMED THAT A DEFECTIVE RECALL PART CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,162.

Mileage: 70,162

20070731ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE NUMBER 07V263000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). WHEN HE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR, A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO CHARGE HIM FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FINE BEFORE HE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,740 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

Mileage: 101,000

20070731ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL 500. HE STATED THAT THE ABC LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. HE WAS CHARGED $171.90 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC AND $2,568.03 FOR THE REPLACEMENT. HE RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE (RECALL#07V263000) FOR ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING AFTER HE PAID FOR THE REPAIRS HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER DENIED REIMBURSEMENT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,997.

Mileage: 70,997

20070712ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE, PREVENTING HIM FROM READING THE GAUGES AND INDICATORS. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 55,300.

Mileage: 55,300

20070511FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL CLASS. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, A HYDRAULIC LINE FAILED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING. THE ABC LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 55,126. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THROUGH THE INTERNET THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE BUT WHEN MERCEDES BENZ DEALER WAS CONTACTED THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKED ONTO THE EXHAUST AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 07/03/07 *TR

Mileage: 55,126

20060905SUSPENSION

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY ROSE UP AND DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE ABC SYSTEM WAS INOPERABLE. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL #04V228000 CONCERNING THE SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

Mileage: 56,000

Compare 2002MERCEDES-BENZCL CLASS to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ CL CLASS have?
The 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ CL CLASS has 25 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ CL CLASS?
The most-complained component for the 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ CL CLASS is SUSPENSION with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL.
Is the 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ CL CLASS 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 as of 2025. 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.