Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.
2002 Mercedes-Benz M Class recalls
Vehicle speed control: cruise control
NHTSA campaign 11V208000 · reported March 31, 2011 · MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. · 136,751 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- Mercedes-benz is recalling certain model year 1999-2002 m-class and model year 2000-2003 m-class amg vehicles. The cruise control system in the affected vehicles allows the driver to disengage the system in a number of ways, including tapping the brake pedal, using the cruise control stalk, or braking the vehicle enough to reach a certain rate of deceleration. Mercedes-benz has determined that under certain circumstances use of the brake pedal may not automatically disengage cruise control as expected by the driver, although the other means of deactivating cruise control remain fully operative. Specifically, where the driver pumps the brakes rather than applying consistent pedal force, the level of force required may be unusually high.
- The risk
- Difficulty or delay in disengaging cruise control can increase the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began during october 2011. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372.
Steering: hydraulic power assist, hose, piping, and connections
NHTSA campaign 08V465000 · reported September 17, 2008 · MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. · 125,228 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- Mercedes-benz is recalling 125,228 my 1998-2004 m-class vehicles. The hose clamp used to secure the power steering fluid cooling hose to the power steering fluid cooler may not provide sufficient clamping force for this connection.
- The risk
- The loss of power steering fluid may result in diminished power steering over time and ultimately can damage the power steering pump. This could result in a loss of control and a crash without warning.
- The fix
- An earlier recall repair performed on these vehicles may not be sufficient to prevent a future leakage or failure of the power steering hose connection (please see 03v121). Since it is not possible through inspection to identify specific vehicles that may not have been properly repaired, all vehicles repaired prior to november 15, 2003, will be repaired again. The recall is expected to begin during november 2008. Owners may contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372.
Steering: hydraulic power assist, hose, piping, and connections
NHTSA campaign 03V121000 · reported March 27, 2003 · MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. · 211,000 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- On certain passenger vehicles, the hose clamp used to secure the power steering fluid cooling hose to the power steering fluid cooler may not provide sufficient clamping force for this connection.
- The risk
- The loss of power steering fluid may result in diminished power steering over time and ultimately can damage the power steering pump.
- The fix
- Dealers will install a new hose clamp on the power steering hose to the power steering cooler. During clamp replacement, the power steering cooling hose will be inspected and replaced as necessary. Owner notification began june 16, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372.
Seat belts: front, warning light/devices
NHTSA campaign 02V203000 · reported July 26, 2002 · MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. · 3,603 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, s7.3, "occupant crash protection." the seat belt chimes may not function as designed and is not consistent with the requirements of the standard.
- The risk
- If the driver buckles his seat belt prior to starting the vehicle, the chime will not sound at all when the vehicle is started.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect the vehicles to ensure that the seat belt chime operates as required by the standard. Owner notification began september 25, 2002. Owners who do not receive the free instructions within a reasonable time should contact mercedes-benz at 1-201-573-0117.
Tires: sidewall
NHTSA campaign 02V058000 · reported February 13, 2002 · MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. · 172 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- Certain passenger vehicles equipped with dunlop sp5000 tires. Some of these tires have a separation around the entire circumference in the area of the side wall and tread.
- The risk
- This could result in premature tire wear.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the dunlop tires which exhibit this defect when visually inspected. Only dunlop tires in week 4901 with tire codes 4909 or 4917 are involved and will be replaced. Owner notification by telephone began febuary 27, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372.
What owners report
Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.
Jan 5, 2012 · Engine and engine cooling · 40,900 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ M430. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK AND IT SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS TOWED TO THE CLOSES DEALER. THE VEHICLE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE…
Aug 23, 2010 · Electronic stability control (ESC) · 60,000 miles
WHILE DRIVING HER 2002 MERCEDES ML 500 AT A STEADY 40 MPH IN TRAFFIC THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL ENGAGED FOR NO REASON LOCKING THE BRAKES AND MAKING THE VEHICLE UNCONTROLLABLE AND UNRESPONSIVE TO DRIVER INPUT. THE ONLY THING THAT PREVENTED US FROM BEING HIT WAS THERE WAS NO ONE BEHIND US, HAD THIS OF OCCURRED…
Feb 18, 2009 · Steering · 95,000 miles
RECALL CAMPAIGN # 2003-040005 - MERCEDES BENZ ML 320 RECALL OF POWER STEERING CLAMP. ITEM WAS REPLACED BY INDEPENDENT DEALER IN VIRGINIA AND THE CHARGE WAS COMPLETED FOR THE SERVICE RENDERED. RECALL NOTICE CAME IN THE MAIL 3 DAYS LATER, AND INDEPENDENT DEALER DOES NOT WANT TO REFUND ANY OR ALL OF THE SERVICE COST…
Dec 22, 2006 · Air bags
TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED TO REPORT THAT THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT SAYS THAT THE AIRBAG IS OFF IN HER 2002 MERCEDES M CLASS. THERE IS A LIGHT NEXT TO THE AIRBAG THAT SAYS SRS WHICH IS ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 60-65 MPH WHEN THE CONTACT WAS ADJUSTED THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT…
Jan 15, 2004 · Service brakes, hydraulic · 3,261 miles
ONE DAY AFTER WASHING THE CAR, THE REAR BRAKE STICKS UNTIL PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL AND FORCE THE BRAKE TO RELEASE. IT MAKES A LOUD CRACKING NOISE DURING THE FORCE RELEASE. THE NOISE IS SO LOUD THAT YOU MAY THINK YOU HIT SOMETHING FROM YOUR BUMPER IF YOU DON'T KNOW THE PROBLEM. MBZ SAID THAT'S NORMAL BECAUSE OF THE RUST…
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received January 5, 2012.