IllustrationThere is an old recall campaign for the Camshaft Seal, # 2009100001. This car is among those affected by this problem and should be covered for issues and repairs.
2002 Mercedes Benz C230
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2002 Mercedes Benz C230 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 39.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all C230 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
90–25K
825–50K
750–75K
575–100K
3100–150K
2150K+
34 reports with mileage · 20 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports4 fire reports2 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
12 reportsTAKATA RECALL ESL (ELECTRIC STEERING LOCK) COMPONENTS THE MOTOR FAILS TO UNLOCK THE STEERING THE FIRST TIME, BUT WORK IN FOLLOWING ATTEMPTS. SOME TIMES IT TAKES 1 TO 4 HOURS FOR ESL TO UNLOCK. THIS HAPPENS ONLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED WEATHER OVERNIGHT OR JUST COMING OUT OF THE STORE SHOPPING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ C230. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 15-20 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE ABS AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRE HARNESS MELTED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ C230. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 15-20 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE ABS AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRE HARNESS MELTED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 12,000.
THE POWER SEAT MODULES CONTINUOUSLY DRAIN THE BATTERY CAUSING DEAD BATTERY WITHIN 24-48 HOURS. THE SEATS MUST BE UNPLUGGED TO STOP THE PROBLEM. MERCEDES DEALERSHIP WANTS $100 TO DIAGNOSE AND $1,500 PER SEAT MODULE. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ONLINE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM MAKING THIS A DEFECT. *TR
BOTH FRONT POWER SEAT MODULES DRAIN BATTERY WHEN CAR IS OFF. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C 230. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WIRING AND SEVERAL OTHER WIRES WERE BURNED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT IF THE FUEL TANK HAD BEEN FULL OF GASOLINE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C 230. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WIRING AND SEVERAL OTHER WIRES WERE BURNED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT IF THE FUEL TANK HAD BEEN FULL OF GASOLINE, THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE FAILURE WAS NOT CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY OUT OF STATE AT APPROX. 60MPH CAR SUDDENLY BUCKED AND ALL POWER CUT OUT, ALL LIGHTS ON CONTROL PANEL LIT UP- HIT CLUTCH AND GAS, VEHICLE RESTARTED. NEAREST DEALER WOULD NOT SEE ME FOR 2 WEEKS, DEALER IN ANOTHER STATE DID DIAGNOSTIC ESTIMATED REPAIR AT CLOSE TO $4,000; ALREADY GAVE OVER $1800 AS DOWNPAYM…
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WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY OUT OF STATE AT APPROX. 60MPH CAR SUDDENLY BUCKED AND ALL POWER CUT OUT, ALL LIGHTS ON CONTROL PANEL LIT UP- HIT CLUTCH AND GAS, VEHICLE RESTARTED. NEAREST DEALER WOULD NOT SEE ME FOR 2 WEEKS, DEALER IN ANOTHER STATE DID DIAGNOSTIC ESTIMATED REPAIR AT CLOSE TO $4,000; ALREADY GAVE OVER $1800 AS DOWNPAYMENT TOWARD PARTS. REPAIR ? SCHEDULED FOR NEXT WEEK. READ OTHER COMPLAINTS, BELIEVE MANUFACTURER SHOULD TAKE SOME RESPONSIBILITY HERE, AND WANT REASSURANCE IF REPAIR DOES NOT WORK I WILL NOT BE CONTINUOUSLY CHARGED WHILE THEY REPLACE EVERYTHING UNTIL THE GET IT RIGHT. SAID COMPUTER DID NOT READ A DEFECT. CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED BY DEALERS ONLY AT EVERY RECOMMENDED SERVICE MILESTONE. *TR
MY 2002 MERCEDES C230 KOMPRESSOR KEEPS DRAINING THE BATTERY. I HAVE HAD THE BATTERY AND THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED. NO ONE, INCLUDING THE DEALER CAN DETERMINE WHAT IS CAUSING THE DRAIN. ONLINE FORUMS FROM MERCEDES OUTLINE THAT THIS IS A REGULAR ISSUE THAT MERCEDES IS AWARE OF, BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. *JB
ERROR MESSAGE APPEARING ON MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAY STATING THAT "UNDER VOLTAGE CONSUMER DEFECTIVE!" ALONG WITH A "BATTERY/ALTERNATOR VISIT WORKSHOP" ERROR. TAKING THE CAR TO A SERVICE STATION INDICATES THAT THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR IS FAULTY. CURRENTLY THERE IS A RECALL FOR ALL MERCEDES MODELS EXCEPT MINE IN THE USA. EVENTUAL…
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ERROR MESSAGE APPEARING ON MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAY STATING THAT "UNDER VOLTAGE CONSUMER DEFECTIVE!" ALONG WITH A "BATTERY/ALTERNATOR VISIT WORKSHOP" ERROR. TAKING THE CAR TO A SERVICE STATION INDICATES THAT THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR IS FAULTY. CURRENTLY THERE IS A RECALL FOR ALL MERCEDES MODELS EXCEPT MINE IN THE USA. EVENTUALLY THE BATTERY BECAME DISCHARGED. *JB
THE CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING ONTO A RAMP, THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM HAD FUNCTION ERRATICALLY. THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE RIGHT REAR BRAKES CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE INTO THE CURB. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THIS DEFECTIVE PART IS LIFE THREATENING. SCC
Official recalls
224V874000 · Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly
Nov 19, 2024
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
22V954000 · Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly
Dec 23, 2022
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.