AI Damage2002 Mercedes-Benz CL600: common problems
Owners of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CL600 filed 13 complaints with NHTSA, most often about suspension and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 13
What fails most often
- 1 Suspension 46% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 23% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 23% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 8% of all complaints
- 5 Electronic stability control 8% of all complaints
- 6 Engine 8% of all complaints
- 7 Exterior lighting 8% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel system 8% of all complaints
- Suspension: 6 complaints (46% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 3 complaints (23% of all).
- Service brakes: 3 complaints (23% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (8% of all).
- Electronic stability control: 1 complaints (8% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 13 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Abc hydraulic system high pressure hose corrosion and failure of fittings. Caused damage to vehicle, smoke poured from under vehicle, and possible fire. The fluid sprayed all over exhaust. Vehicle ride height was thrown quickly to ground.
This is a known issue to mercedes, this is a major fire hazard, these cars are notorious for this problem. Oil will spray all over the exhaust, and plastic creating a vacuum. Lucky my family hasn't died from this fire hazard.
Oem replaced high pressure hydraulic hose defective and leaking again, can cause hydraulic fluid to leak onto hot exhaust and start a complete fire..
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercedes benz cl600. The contact stated that while traveling 35 mph, the control panel failed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer.
I own a 2002 cl-600 that has a terrible engine oil leak. The dealer wants $5,800 to repair the oil cooler. Searching the web shows that this is a common problem with mercedes 12 cylinder engines.
I was wearing my seatbelt. I contacted mercedes, and they told me in so many words, too bad for me.
I have a 2002 mercedes cl600 and it has a engine oil leak. I was told by my mechanic that the leak might cause the fire in engine. I am afraid to drive it but this is the only car I have it. The mercedes is asking 5500 usd to fix it. I cant cause I don't have that much money.
Campaign#[phone] september2005 -cylinder shut-off oil pressure sensor defect 2002 cl600 on 10.12.2005 certified mb dealer \retailer closed the campaign follow prior to date code 1291listed in this campaign .on or about 1 year the part with date code 1631 defected and make estimate damages determined from mb dealer…
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 9,846 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 27% most complained about).
On average one model year of the CL600 has 5 complaints (6 years in the data). This year has 13, above average.
What to check before buying
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CL600?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: suspension, engine and cooling, service brakes. Total complaints: 13. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (38%), oil leak or consumption (15%), knocking, grinding or other noise (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CL600?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2002 Mercedes-Benz CL600 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2002 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.