Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2002 Mercedes-Benz S600: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S600, most recently filed May 2004. Owners have filed 11 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (1)

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S600. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2002 Mercedes-Benz S600. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 04V228000 Filed May 13, 2004

MERCEDES-BENZ/ABC HYDRAULIC HOSES

Suspension
Official NHTSA text
Summary
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, CORROSION MAY OCCUR IN THE INNER STEEL PORTIONS OF THE ACTIVE BODY CONTROL'S (ABC) HIGH-PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSE DUE TO EXTENSIVE EXPOSURE TO HEAT AND HUMIDITY. OVER TIME, CORROSION MAY DETERIORATE THE INNER STEEL PORTIONS OF THE HOSE.
Consequence
THIS MAY RESULT IN ABC HYDRAULIC FLUID LEAKAGE. UNDER SOME CIRCUMSTANCES, LEAKING HYDRAULIC FLUID MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS AND LEAD TO A POSSIBILITY OF FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW, CORROSION RESISTANT ABC HIGH-PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION HOSES. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 31, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372.
Repair progress not yet reported6,238 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 04V228000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (11)

11 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine and engine cooling is mentioned most often.

0involved a crash
1involved a fire
0injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S600, by component (top 4). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 11.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2002 compares with other S600 years

Best and worst S600 years →
1 4 1 38 11 6 4 2 1 5
1994199519972001200220032004200520062007
This year (2002)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 16 mpg combined

16
mpg combined
13
city
21
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$5,150
CO₂ tailpipe
555 g/mi
EPA class
Large Cars

What it costs you to run

$4,082per year
$340per month
938gallons a year

Miles ÷ 16 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2002 Mercedes-Benz S600 configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
5.8 L 12-cyl · 5-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive13 / 21 / 16$5,150555

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2002 S600 for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All S600 years

Where to next

2002 Mercedes-Benz S600 FAQ

How many recalls does the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S600 have?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 04V228000 (suspension). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2002 Mercedes-Benz S600 problems?

Owners filed 11 complaints with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling (5), Electrical system (3), Suspension (3) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2002 Mercedes-Benz S600 get?

EPA rates the 5.8 L 12-cyl · 5-speed automatic version at 13 city, 21 highway and 16 combined mpg.

How does the 2002 S600 compare with other years?

Among the 1994–2007 Mercedes-Benz S600 model years at least five years old, the 1994 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2001 the most (38). The 2002 drew 11. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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