2002 Mercedes Benz C240 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly (2) · Interior Lighting (2) · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes Benz C240 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (3)
Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly 2024-11-19 · campaign 24V874000 · 33,456 vehicles
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.
Fix: 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.
Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly 2022-12-23 · campaign 22V954000 · 131,653 vehicles
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.
Fix: 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.
Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly 2019-12-20 · campaign 19V918000 · 747,928 vehicles
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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (41)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Service Brakes 2026-09-22 · LI42.10-P-078779 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60mph. note: although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. cause although the cause of the vibra
Structure:body 2026-09-14 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Structure:body 2026-08-06 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Power Train 2026-07-14 · LI35.30-P-058566 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). the noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. note: sound file in attachment cause if the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar n
Visibility/Wiper 2026-05-19 · LI82.30-P-059239 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint there are several types of complaint about noises or poor windshield wiper wiping performance: a: wiper blades squeaking, chattering, shuddering b: the windshield is not wiped completely (streaking) c: during the downward movement water is pulled back onto the windshield from the a-pillar
Exterior Lighting 2026-04-16 · LI82.10-P-078301 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged. cause fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. it does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp. if a pressure compensation diaphragm is fitted in the housing cover, then the l
Showing the 6 most recent of 41 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2020-10-21 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel · 90,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercedes-benz c240. the contact stated that the instrument panel lights failed to illuminate properly. the contact stated that the odometer was inoperable. the vehicle was taken to mercedes-benz of tacoma (1701-c alexander ave e, fife, wa 98424) where it was diagnosed however, the contact was still awaiting information o…”
2020-08-25 · Visibility/Wiper“tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz c240. the contact received nhtsa campaign number: 19v918000 (visibility). the contact stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the contact called mercedes-benz of seattle (2025 airport way s, seattle, wa 98134 (206) 331-4312) where it was informed that the vehicle…”
2020-08-25 · Structure:body · 185,318 mi“received nhtsa recall #19v918, mb campaign #2020040011, and brought vehicle to mercedes dealer, alfano, in san luis obispo, ca on 8/25/2020. was told by dealer's service manager that vehicle production date was not available and that the vehicle did not match the models included in the recall, such production dates were from 01/16/2006 to 07/09/200…”
2020-08-20 · Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly · 62,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercedes-benz c240. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 19v918000 (visibility). flagship motorcars of lynnfield (385 broadway rte. 1 north, lynnfield, ma 01940) was contacted and an appointment was scheduled to have the recall repair performed. upon leaving the dealer after the recall repair was p…”
2020-06-03 · Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly · 55,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercedes-benz c240. the contact stated that upon purchase of the vehicle, the sun roof rattled while driving at various speeds. the contact then received a notification of nhtsa campaign number :19v918000 (visibility) however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded…”
2016-04-18 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel · 120,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercedes-benz c240. while driving various speeds, the instrument cluster lights failed to operate. the failure recurred intermittently. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the vin was not included in nhtsa…”
2016-01-04 · Power Train · 125,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz c240. the contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift out of first gear and was leaking transmission fluid. in addition, the contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission was leaking fluid in six dif…”
2014-07-19 · Electrical System“i am not sure why mercedes is doing this. i am sure the auto maker is aware of the situation and not doing anything about it. i have read numerous forums regarding the same issue. electrical components not functioning properly. i demand mercedes to do something about this problem and they can not get away clean hands just like any other auto makers…”
2014-07-02 · Interior Lighting · 200,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz c240. the contact's vin was excluded from nhtsa campaign number: 06v028000 (interior lighting), although the instrument panel failure was identical. the vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. the approximate failure mileage was 200,000.…”
2013-09-17 · Seat Belts · 117,000 mi · 💥 crash“while driving to get on the freeway from on ramp, miss judge and lost control of the steering wheel, vehicle flip from front to back on the ditch side of the road, driver was wearing a seat belt but got thrown out due to seatbelt malfunction. front airbag on steering and passenger side did not deployed, driver sustained broken spinal (neck), trauma…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.