Photo: Ethan Llamas / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
2002 Mercedes-Benz E-class: common problems and reliability
· W211One of the better E-class years.
The best Mercedes-Benz E-class year. All E-class years
48 owner complaints, most about electrical system. No recalls.
Should I buy a 2002 E-class?The 2002 Mercedes-Benz E-class has 48 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and suspension. Owners most often flag sbc (sensotronic brake control) system failure: expensive to replace, though some markets have extended warranties.
Safety record for the 2002 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2002 Mercedes-Benz E-class vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other E-class years only. How we score it
Is 2002 a good year for the E-class?
Across the 25 E-class model years we track, complaint volume runs from 40 (2021) to 912 (2014). With 48 complaints, the 2002 E-class sits below the model's median of 171.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
What owners report on the W211 E-class
Owners hold the W211 in high regard, praising its timeless design, comfortable interior, and the exceptional reliability of its early petrol engines (M112/M113).
- RecurrentSBC (Sensotronic Brake Control) system failure
Expensive to replace, though some markets have extended warranties.
- RecurrentBalance shaft failure on M272/273 V6 engines (post-facelift)
Affects 2006 and some 2007 models; check engine serial number.
- Recurrent7G-Tronic transmission failure (post-facelift)
Prone to issues compared to the earlier 5G-Tronic.
- RecurrentHeadlamp error messages (post-facelift)
ECU detects aftermarket or replacement bulbs as foreign objects.
- RecurrentBlower motor / HVAC system malfunction
Intermittent blower operation, resistor and motor replacement may not solve it.
Owner insights for the W211 E-class. Read the full W211 owner report.
Typical used price
Used E-class listings typically run $14,000–$30,990.
Other E-class model years
Compare every E-class year side by side to see how 2002 ranks against the rest.
Compare the E-class against its rivals
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