How many recalls does the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S-Class have?

The 2002 Mercedes-Benz S-Class has 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 2002 Mercedes-Benz S-Class has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S-Class?

Of 56 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is suspension.

2002 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2002 Mercedes-Benz S-Class has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 56,835 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 56 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the suspension. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 07V263000 2007-06-12 19,924 affected

Defect

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.

Consequence

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 06V028000 2006-02-02 36,911 affected

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Complaints by component

SUSPENSION

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

INTERIOR LIGHTING

SUSPENSION:FRONT

TIRES

AIR BAGS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

EQUIPMENT

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Total complaints56

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“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 incidents, the cluster lighting didn't illuminate at all, with the exception of the small diagnostic…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL · reported 2012-08-01

“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 again after approx 3 months. *tr”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2012-08-01

“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 again after approx 3 months. *tr”

EXTERIOR LIGHTING · reported 2012-08-01

“On starting the vehicle, the instrument panel was black without illumination or reading. As a result, gauges to speedometer, odometer, fuel, warnings to malfunctions, tachometer, oil pressure, & engine temperature are not present. *tr”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2012-05-21

“On starting the vehicle, the instrument panel was black without illumination or reading. As a result, gauges to speedometer, odometer, fuel, warnings to malfunctions, tachometer, oil pressure, & engine temperature are not present. *tr”

EXTERIOR LIGHTING · reported 2012-05-21

“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz s-class. The contact stated that while driving 58 mph, all of the instrument panel lights and gauges failed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home and the dealer was contacted. The dealer advised the contact that there was an electronic malfunction.…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2012-05-09

“My 2002 mercedes s430 instrument cluster back lighting went out while I was driving and I could not see my rate of speed. Along with not seeing my rate of speed my fuel and temperature was not visable. I called mercedes dealer in virginia about the recall that came out in 2006 and I was told that…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL · reported 2011-09-26

“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz s55 amg. The contact stated that he was unable to shift the vehicle out of park. The vehicle was taken to a local shop where it was diagnosed that the shifter was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The…”

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · reported 2011-07-20