The Lemon IndexAll cars · Mercedes-Benz M/GLE
2002 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE.
The 2002 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE is better than average by owner complaints: 21 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 50, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about steering, it has 1 recall, and it gets 14 to 15 mpg combined. The best Mercedes-Benz M/GLE year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 122 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Mercedes-Benz M/GLE 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 47K to 117K miles on the car (91 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- steering complaints mostly came at 62K–135K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 29K–118K miles
Recalls 1
- suspension 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.
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 65 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Flow noises from area of power steering pump and/or foaming of power steering oil in reservoir
- Rattling/thumping noise on rough roads and/or knocking noise when moving steering in both…
- Rattling/thumping noises from the area of the steering on rough roads or when driving over road
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedBrake lamp switch failure.2010–2011
- ClosedBrake line chafe2008–2009
- ClosedBrake line rupture2008
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Fuel cost and engines
About $5300–5700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.2L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Warranty issues and/or manufacturing defects that should be covered by warranty.
2002 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE owner · NHTSA complaint 10057273
More owner reports
Dash board brake light went on and the brakes failed.
NHTSA complaint 10047273
While driving, the steering wheel locked up, which caused the consumer to veer off to the shoulder and into an embankment.
NHTSA complaint 10022492
Quick answers
Is the 2002 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 50; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Mercedes-Benz M/GLE year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2002 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (29%), brakes (24%) and suspension (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE have?
1 safety recall (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE get?
14 to 15 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 47,000 and 117,000 miles. The middle report was at 89,700 miles, from 91 complaints.
Does the 2002 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 10% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2002 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE cost in fuel a year?
About $5300 to $5700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Mercedes-Benz M/GLE have?
3.2L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl.
What Mercedes-Benz M/GLE year is better than the 2002?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2019 and 2011.
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