The Lemon IndexAll cars · Mercedes-Benz E-Class
2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
The 2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class has too few complaints to score: 7 in its first 3 years. Owners complain most about steering, it has 0 recalls, and it gets 18 to 21 mpg combined. The best Mercedes-Benz E-Class year is 2011.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 37 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Mercedes-Benz E-Class year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 50K to 103K miles on the car (27 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 0
No safety recalls on record.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Mercedes-Benz told dealers about
Mercedes-Benz sent dealers 49 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Rattling/thumping noises from the area of the steering on rough roads or when driving over road
- Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural…
- Complaint Washer fluid system leaks Cause Various possible causes: 1
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Fuel cost and engines
About $3800–4400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.2L 6-cyl, 4.3L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Steering locked up while turning on to road, dealer replicated, replaced steering rack, not sure if that was cause. This is just a warning in case other cars exhibit same problem.
2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class owner · NHTSA complaint 762873
More owner reports
When applying brakes pedal exceeds to the floor,causing extended stopping distance.
NHTSA complaint 10034318
E320 4 matic (all wheel drive)2002. Noise in the right front suspension when going over speed bumps, or a dip/incline in the pavement then coming back to normal level.
NHTSA complaint 10098526
Quick answers
Is the 2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 7 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (29%), brakes (14%) and body structure (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class have?
None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class get?
18 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 50,000 and 103,000 miles. The middle report was at 79,200 miles, from 27 complaints.
Does the 2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class cost in fuel a year?
About $3800 to $4400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class have?
3.2L 6-cyl, 4.3L 8-cyl.
What Mercedes-Benz E-Class year is better than the 2002?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2011, 2012 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works