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exact model and see every recall for it.
Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US recalls (2)
Suspension
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 and remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
Canadian recalls (4)
Show 4 Canadian recalls
Other
2008-08-15 · campaign 2008-290 · 279 vehicles
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 be accurately transmitted to the Electronic Control Unit (ECU). A variation in the transmitted values can result in one front strut adjusting to a value while the other does not adjust and presenting the driver with an uneven front suspension. This situation could have an effect on the vehicle's directional stability, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash with injuries or death. Correction: Dealers will inspect and replace affected AZ-sensors
Steering
2007-06-14 · campaign 2007-195 · 884 vehicles
On certain vehicles equipped with an 8-cylinder engine, corrosion may occur in the inner steel portions of the Active Body Control's high pressure distribution hose due to extensive exposure to humidity. This may result in ABC hydraulic fluid leakage near the catalictic converter which could cause a fire. Correction: Dealers will install a corrosion resistant ABC high-pressure distribution hose.
Electrical
2006-02-07 · campaign 2006-031
Certain vehicles may experience instrument cluster backlighting malfunction. There are three distinct failure modes. (1) Vehicles built between 06/2000 and 11/2000 may contain a defective transformer that could cause an electrical short. (2) Vehicles built from 01/2002 to 04/2002 could have incorrect dielectric layers inside a capacitor that could lead to fluctuating current levels. (3) Vehicles built between 05/2004 and 09/2004 may have incorrect light emitting diodes (LEDs). Correction: Dealers will replace the instrument cluster module.
Brakes
2004-05-06 · campaign 2004-153 · 277 vehicles
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 hose due to extensive exposure to humidity. This may result in ABC hydraulic fluid leakage near the catalictic converter which could cause a fire. Correction: Dealers will install a corrosion resistant ABC high-pressure distribution hose.
Owner complaints (48)
Owners filed 48 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Among 14 model years of this model, it ranks #2 for the most complaints (median 12).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Suspension | 19 | |
| Electrical system | 12 | |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | |
| Interior lighting | 4 | |
| Tires | 3 | |
| Air bags | 3 | |
| Visibility | 2 | |
| Equipment | 2 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2002 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 4DR. w/SAB | – | – | – | – |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2002 Mercedes-Benz S-Class version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| S430 4.3 L Automatic 5-spd | 15 | 22 | 18 | $4,550 |
| S500 5.0 L Automatic 5-spd | 14 | 21 | 17 | $4,850 |
| S55 AMG 5.4 L Automatic 5-spd | 14 | 20 | 17 | $4,850 |
| S600 5.8 L Automatic 5-spd | 13 | 21 | 16 | $5,150 |
Need this data in your app?
Recalls, complaints, crash ratings and fuel economy as a JSON API. Decode up to 50 VINs per call and get a daily feed of new recalls.
Explore the API →Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-30.