MYRModel Year Report

2002 Mercedes Benz M Class

○ Not enough data
2002 Mercedes Benz M Class
RENDERED 2026-11-01T15:03:19.284Z

Only 5 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 5 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

Complaints
5

Too few to rank

Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 2002

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1998: 5 complaints 1998 1999: 18 complaints 1999 2000: 25 complaints 2000 2001: 5 complaints 2001 2002: 5 complaints 2002 5 2003: 10 complaints 2003 2004: 0 complaints 2004 2008: 1 complaint 2008
1998: 5 complaints 1998 1999: 18 complaints 1999 2000: 25 complaints 2000 2001: 5 complaints 2001 2002: 5 complaints 2002 5 2003: 10 complaints 2003 2004: 0 complaints 2004 2008: 1 complaint 2008
1998: 5 complaints 1998 1999: 18 complaints 1999 2000: 25 complaints 2000 2001: 5 complaints 2001 2002: 5 complaints 2002 5 2003: 10 complaints 2003 2004: 0 complaints 2004 2008: 1 complaint 2008

2002: 5 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19985
199918
200025
20015
20025
200310
20040
20081

Known problem areas

Only 5 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

Steering

1 of 5 total reports mentions: steering.

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2009-02-18

Service brakes

1 of 5 total reports mentions: service brakes, most commonly citing hydraulic.

Engine and engine cooling

1 of 5 total reports mentions: engine and engine cooling.

Electronic stability control (esc)

1 of 5 total reports mentions: electronic stability control (esc).

Air bags

1 of 5 total reports mentions: air bags, most commonly citing sensor/control module.

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2006-12-22

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2002-02-27Tires02V058000 Certain passenger vehicles equipped with dunlop SP5000 tires. Some of these tires have a separation around the entire circumference in the area of the side wall and tread.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the dunlop tires which exhibit this defect when visually inspected. Only dunlop tires in week 4901 with tire codes 4909 or 4917 are involved and will…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2002-09-25Seat belts02V203000 Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, S7.3, "Occupant crash protection." The seat belt chimes may not function as…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicles to ensure that the seat belt chime operates as required by the standard. Owner notification began September 25, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2003-06-16Steering03V121000 On certain passenger vehicles, the hose clamp used to secure the power steering fluid cooling hose to the power steering fluid cooler may not provide sufficient clamping force for this connection.

    Remedy: Dealers will install a new hose clamp on the power steering hose to the power steering cooler. During clamp replacement, the power steering cooling hose will be inspected and replaced as necessary.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2008-03-11Recall queryClosed 2008-09-17 Power steering hose leak
  5. I
    2008-04-28Engineering analysisClosed 2009-12-16 Brake line chafe
  6. R
    2008-11-15Steering08V465000 Mercedes-Benz is recalling 125,228 my 1998-2004 M-Class vehicles. The hose clamp used to secure the power steering fluid cooling hose to the power steering fluid cooler may not provide sufficient…

    Remedy: An earlier recall repair performed on these vehicles may not be sufficient to prevent a future leakage or failure of the power steering hose connection (Please see 03V121). Since it is not possible…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. I
    2010-12-21Preliminary evaluationClosed 2011-05-04 Brake lamp switch failure.
  8. R
    2011-10-20Vehicle speed control11V208000 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…

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2002 Mercedes Benz M Class — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Steering: 1 report on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 1 report on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 1 report on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 02V058000 · Tires
  • Recall 02V203000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 03V121000 · Steering
  • Recall 08V465000 · Steering
  • Recall 11V208000 · Vehicle speed control
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 2002 Mercedes Benz M Class reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Mercedes Benz M Class?
The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 20% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Mercedes Benz M Class have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.