Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Suspension6
- Engine and engine cooling5
- Electrical system4
- Interior lighting2
- Service brakes, hydraulic2
- Wheels1
- Structure1
- Tires1
- Visibility1
- Air bags1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class failed the safety check 0.00% of the time — 100% less often than the average 2002 passenger car (2.00%). Median odometer at inspection: 92,297 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the Netherlands
49 first registered in 2002 are on Dutch roads; 69% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €157,151.
Most common APK defects
- Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm20
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen18
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde17
- Schokdemper aanwezig die lekkage vertoont12
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld12
- Band onvoldoende profiel11
- Waarschuwingsinrichting airbag- / gordelsysteem geeft defect11
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm8
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
206 cars built in 2002 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 301 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 262 of these cars first registered in 2002 took their annual MOT test. 74% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2002 the figure was 58%.
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
16 of these cars first registered in 2002 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 173,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
4 Transport Canada recalls for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class.
| 2008290 15 Aug 2008 | Other Certain vehicles equipped with Active Body Control (ABC) the sensors on the front struts may not operate within tolerances. As such, the sensor signal may not … |
| 2006031 7 Feb 2006 | Electrical Certain vehicles may experience instrument cluster backlighting malfunction. There are three distinct failure modes. (1) Vehicles built between 06/2000 and 11… |
| 2004153 6 May 2004 | Brakes On certain vehicles equipped with a 12-cylinder engine, corrosion may occur in the inner steel portions of the Active Body Control's high pressure distribution … |
| 2002054 21 Mar 2002 | Seats And Restraints Certain CL203 vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of C.M.V.S.S. no. 209, "seat belt assemblies." the right rear seat belt buckle was incorrectly manuf… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, CORROSION MAY OCCUR IN THE INNER STEEL PORTIONS OF THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL'S (ABC) HIGH PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE DUE TO EXTENSIVE EXPOSURE TO HUMIDITY CAUSING DETERIORATION OF THE HOSE.
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CONTAINS GAUGES AND INDICATORS THAT MUST BE ILLUMINATED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Mercedes-Benz told its dealers about the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10014583 | SEAL BETWEEN EXTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR HOUSING AND DOOR. *TT |
| 10009985 | THE HIGH PRESSURE HYDRAULIC DISTRIBUTION HOSE OF THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) MAY DETERIORATE OVER TIME DUE TO EXCESSIVE EXPOSURE TO HUMIDITY AND HIGH TEMPERATURES. VOLUNTARY RECALL CAMPAIGN OF ACTIVE BODY CONTROL (ABC) (12 CYLINDER ONLY). *NM |
| 10009820 | REPLACEMENT OF ABC PRESSURE SUPPLY VALVE UNIT HYDRAULIC LINE. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)