1996 Mercedes Benz S Class recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Lights
What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
What could happen: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1996 S CLASS.
- Book a repair at any authorized Mercedes Benz dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 09E012000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-909-598-7589.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Summary: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Notes: THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES PRODUCED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER. IN ORDER TO DETERMINE IF YOUR AFTERMARKET LAMP ASSEMBLY IS AFFECTED BY THIS NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE REVIEW THE LIST OF MODEL NUMBERS PROVIDED TO US BY SABERSPORT. THE LIST CAN BE FOUND UNDER "DOCUMENT SEARCH" LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
2. Engine
What's wrong, in plain English: Engine problems range from stalling to fire. THE DRIVE BELT PULLEY ON THE ENGINE CAN DEVELOP FATIGUE CRACKS IN THE METAL AND BREAK. IF THE DRIVE PULLEY BREAKS, THE CAR WOULD NOT HAVE ENGINE COOLING, BATTERY CHARGING, AND/OR POWER STEERING.
What could happen: LOSS OF THESE SYSTEMS CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO OVER HEAT, LOSE POWER FROM THE BATTERY, AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT DAMPER-PULLEY ON THESE VEHICLES.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1996 S CLASS.
- Book a repair at any authorized Mercedes Benz dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 96V058000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Summary: THE DRIVE BELT PULLEY ON THE ENGINE CAN DEVELOP FATIGUE CRACKS IN THE METAL AND BREAK. IF THE DRIVE PULLEY BREAKS, THE CAR WOULD NOT HAVE ENGINE COOLING, BATTERY CHARGING, AND/OR POWER STEERING.
Consequence: LOSS OF THESE SYSTEMS CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO OVER HEAT, LOSE POWER FROM THE BATTERY, AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT DAMPER-PULLEY ON THESE VEHICLES.
Notes: SYSTEM: ENGINE; PULLEY; CRANKSHAFT. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 6-CYLINDER ENGINES. NOTE: 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. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- 1996 Mercedes Benz S Class owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (2), Steering (1), Equipment (1), Electrical system (1), Visibility (wipers / glass) (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (6)
05/06/2014 · Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCEDES S420. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STEER TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT A CONNECTOR FROM THE TRANSMISSION TO THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE HAD FAILED CAUSING TRANSMISSION FLUI…
06/30/2011 · Engine
1.I OWN A 1996 MERCEDES BENZ FOR 15 YEARS. WITH ONLY 11,850 MILES, THE TEMPERATURE / CLIMATE CONTROL MECHANISM FAILED DUE TO BEING DEFECTIVE PART. THIS WAS BROUGHT TO A MERCEDES BENZ SERVICE CENTER, HOWEVER IT WAS NOT FIXED WHICH I LEFT UNSETTLED AND UNSATISFIED. 3. IN ORDER TO QUICKLY HAVE THIS FIXED, I WENT TO ANOTHER PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHICH THEY DU…
08/20/2008 · Equipment
I HEARD A CLICK AND THEN AC STOPPED BLOWING AIR. IT HAD BEEN BLOWING FINE BEFORE THIS AUDIBLE CLICK. RESEARCH I DID SAYS IT IS A FAULTY BLOWER REGULATOR WHICH SEEMS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR THIS MODEL. *TR
08/08/2008 · Engine
JUST CAME BACK FROM VACATION. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON BEFORE. STOPPING AT THE GAS STATION WE NOTICED THE SMOKE COMING OUT THE HOOD. TEMPERATURE WAS RISING TO A 100 C. SINCE THEN EVEN IN LOCAL DRIVING TEMPERATURE GOES OVER NORMAL. I AM VERY CONCERNED. DID NOT CHECK WITH SERVICE YET. *TR
02/20/2007 · Electrical system
WIRING HARNESS IS DEFECTIVE. *NM
02/22/2006 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
MY PASSENGER REAR WINDOW HAS COMPLETELY FALLEN INTO THE DOOR UPON TOUCHING THE WINDOW SWITCH. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AND IT IS A RECURRING PROBLEM. SINCE I HAVE HAD THE CAR, I HAVE REPAIRED THIS ISSUE THREE TIMES. I SUSPECT THAT MERCEDEZ IS USING WEAK PARTS AND IS NOT LOOKING INTO THIS ISSUE SERIOUSLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS WITH NEWER CARS…