2002 Mercedes-Benz S Class Recalls, Complaints & Specs
2 safety recalls list the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S Class, and owners have filed 48 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
2 safety recalls for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S Class
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Suspension and engine and engine cooling
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.
Remedy: Dealers will install new corrosion resistant abc high pressure distribution hose. The recall began on july 2, 2007. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372.
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Interior lighting
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the instrument cluster modules. The recall will be conducted in phases. Phase i was mailed out to approximately 7,500 owners on september 29, 2006. Phase ii and phase iii is scheduled for december…
48 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S Class have filed 48 complaints with NHTSA. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 76,315 miles. Complaints peaked in 2006 with 11 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Instrument cluster failure. All lighting for instrument dark/unreadable (speedometer,tach,odometer,fuel,temp,turn signal etc). Taken to dealer and i paid for rebuild to unit. Identical failure occured”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, February 14, 2013 · Electrical system
“The instrument cluster issue i am experiencing began approximately july, 2012. Initially, the dashboard lights would flicker briefly and then illuminate again. Subsequent to the frequent flickering in”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 25, 2012 · Electrical system
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S-Class (S430, S500, S55 AMG, S600). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 16–18 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 13–15 / 20–22 |
| Fuel | Premium |
| EPA class | Large Cars |
| Engine | 8/12 cyl, 4.3/5/5.4/5.8 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 5-spd |
Compare Mercedes-Benz S Class model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Mercedes-Benz S Class model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 0 | 12 |
| 1995 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 0 | 27 |
| 1996 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 1 | 6 |
| 1997 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 0 | 2 |
| 1998 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 0 | 2 |
| 1999 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 0 | 9 |
| 2000 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 5 | 81 |
| 2001 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 5 | 36 |
| 2002 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 2 | 48 |
| 2003 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 2 | 28 |
| 2004 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 4 | 15 |
| 2005 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 1 | 2 |
| 2009 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 1 | 2 |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 1 | 1 |
Checking a specific 2002 Mercedes-Benz S Class
How do I know if my 2002 Mercedes-Benz S Class has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 2 campaigns currently list the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S Class; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Mercedes-Benz dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 06V028000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Mercedes-Benz models
- C3003,469 complaints
- E3502,170 complaints
- E3201,164 complaints
- ML350952 complaints
- GLK350904 complaints
- ML320742 complaints
- C250726 complaints
- C230657 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.