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2002 Mercedes Benz CL Class problems

The most common problem on the 2002 Mercedes Benz CL Class is suspension, typically around 56,000 miles. It has 3.8 times the complaints of a typical CL Class model year.

Typical year3.8x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
19
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
3
Worst area
Suspension

The worst 2002 Mercedes Benz CL Class problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Suspension
    6
  • Engine
    5
  • Electrical
    4
  • Brakes
    2
  • Lights
    2

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Suspension
    6
  • Engine
    5
  • Electrical
    4
  • Brakes
    2
  • Lights
    2
  • Airbags
    1
  • Body
    1
  • Tires
    1
  • Visibility
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Recalls 2

Engine and engine coolingReported June 12, 2007 · 19,924 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
This may result in abc hydraulic fluid leakage near the catalytic converter. Leaking fluid may come in contact with hot engine components and lead to a possible fire.
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.

Recall number 07V263000 · Recall details

Interior lightingReported February 2, 2006 · 36,911 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
Due to inadequate illumination, the driver will be unable to read the gauges and indicators, such as the speedometer, which could increase the risk of a crash.
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 2006. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1‑800‑367‑6372.

Recall number 06V028000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 2002 Mercedes Benz CL Class

Technical service bulletins for the 2002 Mercedes Benz CL Class 3

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

What 2002 Mercedes Benz CL Class owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 27, 2011 · Engine · 84,000 miles · CA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz cl500. The contact was driving 45 MPH when abnormal smoke was emitted from the exhaust. The abc sensor warning light was also illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who inspected the vehicle and discovered abc hydraulic fluid leaking near the catalytic converter. The dealer was notified who advised that they had repaired the vehicle june 07, 2007 under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 07v263000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was also contacted who stated that they would not take any liability for the recent failure. The failure mileage was 84,000.

Filed Jun 14, 2011 · Visibility · 80,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz cl500. The contact stated that there was a rubber seal that was held between the mirrors on both sides of the door that was separating from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated they could not replace the rubber only, but would have to replace the entire mirror attachment at a cost of $1,000 each. There were no recalls for the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Aug 25, 2010 · Lights · 110,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz cl500. The contact stated that the instrument cluster would not illuminate. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where the contact was advised that the instrument cluster module would need replacing or would need to be rebuilt. The mechanic advised the contact of a possible recall on the vehicle (the federal safety agency campaign id number: 06v028000 -interior lighting). The manufacturer advised that the contact's VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000 and the current mileage was 110,600.

Filed Aug 13, 2010 · Electrical · 33,000 miles · VA

Extensive electrical problems in 2002 cl500 mercedes benz. Vehicle seats move on their own while vehicle in motion. Windows go up and down on their own; lock in whatever position it chose; hydraulics in this vehicle go up and down at will. Vehicle will lean on one side, then drop to where it is undriveable, then raise on the opposite side. The key has decoded itself and would not start the vehicle. It has been replaced and the new key had to be recoded as it started the car and then would not start the car. Battery has been replaced more than once and the car still starts fine one day and not at all the next and then will be fine on the third day. I can go on and on. We have only owned this vehicle for 2 years and have spent in excess of $10,000 in repairs that do not repair this vehicle. I still have a very large balance on this nightmare of a "vehicle" but don't have anything to drive. It is presently being repaired for a window issue. It simply would not go up. When it did go up the window broke. Glass has been replaced, regulator replaced, motor replaced and now I am being told it is the control module. $1200.00 later I still have an open window and still trying to figure out the problem. Presently the dashboard middle console serve no purpose other than decoration since the lights go on and off at will also. The vehicle exterior lights (headlights, parking lights, turning signals) work when they choose to and we have replaced bulbs excessively just to find that there was never anything wrong with the bulbs. The electrical system in this car is a nightmare. These issues have been ongoing since we purchased this car. It had only 27,000 miles at the time of purchase however because it was a 2002, it had no manufacturers warranty. We purchased separate warranty which covered practically none of the issues mentioned because they were all "electrical". This vehicle has a class action lawsuit pending on the reed valve. Probably another issue.

Filed Aug 9, 2009 · Lights, Suspension · 41,000 miles · TX

2002 mercedes benz cl500 the right front of the vehicle began to sag & the instrument panel illumination cluster suddenly went completely dark without any warning whatsoever. This has been occurring intermittently, the dealership always charges us each occurrence to "fix it.". Now I find both problems are in safety campaign numbers 04v228000 and 06v028000 these are recalls. What can I do to get these problems fixed correctly this time without the dealership trying to use us as a cash horse & getting ripped off as it is happening again. The panel is completely dark & we cannot see any gauges or indicators. Thank you for your kind assistance.

Filed Jul 27, 2009 · Body, Wheels · 30,000 miles · MA

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz clk430. While the contact was attempting to open the convertible roof, she noticed that the roll bars were stuck in place. As a result, the convertible top could not open completely. The current mileage was 42,000 and failure mileage was 30,000. Updated 8/27/09 *cn the consumer stated while driving, there was a noise and then the rear headrest popped up. The consumer was not able to bring the headrest down and then he/she noticed convertible top would not go down. The consumer to the vehicle for a diagnosis and the mechanic stated the roll bar and mechanics were broken. Also the front wheel was loose. The dealer stated there was play from side to side. Updated 09/09/09

Filed Nov 7, 2008 · Brakes, Suspension · 85,000 miles · GA

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz cl class. The contact stated that his vehicle was excluded from the federal safety agency campaign id number 07v263000 (suspension). The dealer repaired the abc valve block at the cost of $2,200 and stated that there were materials in the fluid of the abc system, which caused the blockage. There is a hose that connects to the system and the fluid only enters one way and exits the same way; therefore, the blockage is due to the failure of the hose that is attached. Currently, a week later, the failure has recurred with the rear abc valve. The repair also cost $2,200. The dealer accused the contact of being the cause of the failure, but offered to repair the vehicle for free. The failure mileage was 85,000. Updated 11/26/08 *cn updated 12/01/08.

Filed Aug 28, 2008 · Electrical, Suspension · 54,000 miles · TX

Left rear of car sinks after sitting for more than 8 hours. Mercedes benz has repaired many times but the problem still comes back. Repaired measures include replacing valves associated with the abc suspension, the abc pump has also been replaced and have also flushed the abc fluid and replaced the filter on many occasions. However, the problem has not gone away. Sometimes when the car is sitting for more than a day the active body control alarm comes on in the instrument cluster. I have not observed any abc fluid loss.

Filed Nov 19, 2007 · Tires · 69,875 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz cl class. The vehicle has goodyear dunlop d401, size 90/90-19 52h tires, which were purchased four days prior to the failure. While driving 45 MPH, the contact heard a thump and noticed that the vehicle drove differently. She pulled over and noticed that the passenger side rear tire was hanging from the rim. The vehicle was towed to her residence. The tire company stated that they would replace the tires. The powertrain and dot number were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 69,875.

Filed Aug 30, 2007 · Electrical · 18,000 miles · IL

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 mercedes clk430. The contact stated that the lcd that displayed the speed, gears, temperature, and clock is not operating normally and the he is unable to read the gauges. The dealer replaced the instrument cluster. The failure mileage was 18,000 and the failure mileage was 31,000. Updated 12/12/2007 *bf updated 12/12/07

Compare the 2002 Mercedes Benz CL Class

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Questions about the 2002 Mercedes Benz CL Class

Is the 2002 Mercedes Benz CL Class reliable?

Owners have filed 19 complaints about the 2002 Mercedes Benz CL Class, 3.8 times a typical CL Class model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2002 Mercedes Benz CL Class?

Suspension, with 6 complaints, typically around 56,000 miles. Next is engine (5).

How many recalls does the 2002 Mercedes Benz CL Class have?

2 recalls, covering engine and engine cooling and interior lighting.

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