2002 Mercedes Benz M Class problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (1) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic (1) · Engine And Engine Cooling (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mercedes Benz M Class model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (1)
Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control 2011-03-31 · campaign 11V208000 · 136,751 vehicles
Defect: MERCEDES-BENZ IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1999-2002 M-CLASS AND MODEL YEAR 2000-2003 M-CLASS AMG VEHICLES. THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ALLOWS THE DRIVER TO DISENGAGE THE SYSTEM IN A NUMBER OF WAYS, INCLUDING TAPPING THE BRAKE PEDAL, USING THE CRUISE CONTROL STALK, OR BRAKING THE VEHICLE ENOUGH TO REACH A CERTAIN RATE OF DECELERATION. MERCEDES-BENZ HAS DETERMINED THAT UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES USE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL MAY NOT AUTOMATICALLY DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL AS
Risk: DIFFICULTY OR DELAY IN DISENGAGING CRUISE CONTROL CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN DURING OCTOBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
Service bulletins (5)
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.
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections 2013-02-15 · TB-46-30-13-B · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
mercedes: see document search button for owner letter. the lower power steering hose and clamp should be replace, under extended warranty, due to power steering leakage from connection to power steering cooler. models 1998-2003 163.154, (ml320, 430, 55, 500, 350). *pe
Electrical System 2005-05-16 · 424562 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
esp lamp illuminated. *tt
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2005-02-07 · 805732 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
engine will not start and fault message start error appears in instrument cluster. *tt
Seat Belts:front:warning Light/Devices 2002-10-10 · 101002 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
seatbelt warning chime service campaign. *tt
Seat Belts:front:warning Light/Devices 2002-09-25 · 092502 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service campaign regarding seatbelt warning chime. *tt
What owners report
2012-01-05 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 40,900 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercedes-benz m430. the contact stated while driving approximately 65 mph the vehicle started to jerk and it suddenly stalled without any warning. the contact was unable to restart the vehicle and it was towed to the closes dealer. the vehicle failure was not diagnosed nor repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of …”
2010-08-23 · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · 60,000 mi“while driving her 2002 mercedes ml 500 at a steady 40 mph in traffic the electronic stability control engaged for no reason locking the brakes and making the vehicle uncontrollable and unresponsive to driver input. the only thing that prevented us from being hit was there was no one behind us, had this of occurred going through an intersection we …”
2009-02-18 · Steering · 95,000 mi“recall campaign # 2003-040005 - mercedes benz ml 320 recall of power steering clamp. item was replaced by independent dealer in virginia and the charge was completed for the service rendered. recall notice came in the mail 3 days later, and independent dealer does not want to refund any or all of the service cost. information received claims tha…”
2006-12-22 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/Control Module“tl* - the contact called to report that the airbag indicator light says that the airbag is off in her 2002 mercedes m class. there is a light next to the airbag that says srs which is on. the vehicle was traveling approximately 60-65 mph when the contact was adjusted the front passenger seat and the airbag light deployed. this is the first time th…”
2004-01-15 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 3,261 mi“one day after washing the car, the rear brake sticks until pressing the gas pedal and force the brake to release. it makes a loud cracking noise during the force release. the noise is so loud that you may think you hit something from your bumper if you don't know the problem. mbz said that's normal because of the rust overnight. they did took the b…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.