AI Damage2002 Mercedes-Benz S600: common problems
Owners of the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S600 filed 11 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 11
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 45% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 27% of all complaints
- 3 Suspension 27% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 9% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 5 complaints (45% of all).
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (27% of all).
- Suspension: 3 complaints (27% of all).
- Engine: 1 complaints (9% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 11 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 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.
The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the active body control warning light illuminated, after which the front suspension lowered to the ground, preventing the vehicle from being driven. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the hydro-pneumatic suspension pump and high-pressure hose.
Abc line started leaking second time in 4 years exactly replaced it back in 2013 almost cost me 1500 and now its back doing the same problems the car is to low on the ground and can't not drive whats so ever
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mercedes-benz s600. While driving various speeds, the lights, gauges, and meters on the instrument cluster failed to function. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.
Massive oil leak. I have been told that it's everything from oil pressure valves to the oil cooler. Mb... What's the problem?? I need help and none of the san diego mb dealers can fix properly.
The car was leaking oil and hydraulic fluid. The car would not raise up and was leaking oil as fast as it was put in. It was not drivable. Could not fix it I had to park it.
I paid over $1100.00 for this repair and took the car back 3 times within a week and a half because the oil leak continued only to find out the oil cooler is what is leaking and not the rear main seal.
While driving vehicle suddenly car began to lose all power, check engine light came on, car began running rough. Took to dealership and they reported that the oxygen sensor was faulty and both right and left coil packs and that they need to replace the spark plugs again, at a total cost of $3875.00 this seems very…
1. Driving vehicle on long distance trip 2.. Instrument cluster and all gauges failed while driving. Replaced fuse to restore gauges, but fused failed within 5 minutes, repeated attempts resulted in the same outage. 3. Appoint with dealer on 9/11/06 to repair estimated $1400 cost.
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 10,520 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 29% most complained about).
On average one model year of the S600 has 6 complaints (13 years in the data). This year has 11, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S600?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, electrical system, suspension. Total complaints: 11. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: oil leak or consumption (55%), warning lights, check engine (18%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S600?
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 S600 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 2026-11-05.