1996 Mercedes-Benz E Class Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

1996 Mercedes-Benz E Class recalls

Most common 1996 Mercedes-Benz E Class problems

Problem areas named in the 16 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Suspension	7
Electrical System	6
Engine And Engine Cooling	3
Equipment	1
Power Train	1

What owners report

2012-07-17, Electrical System
PERFORMING MAINTENANCE ON THE CAR, I NOTICED THAT THE MAIN ENGINE ELECTRICAL HARNESS WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY DETERIORATED. THE INSULATION ON INDIVIDUAL WIRES HAD ROTTED OFF, LEAVING EXPOSED WIRING. I NOTICED ARCHING WHEN POWER WAS APPLIED. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. *TR

2012-03-26, Electrical System
AFTER SEVERAL ELECTRICAL ABNORMALITIES, I EXAMINED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WHICH FOR ALL PRACTICAL PURPOSES, LOOKS AS NEW. I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE THAT THE WIRING AT THE GLOW PLUG RELAY WAS DETERIORATED AND BARE. I ALSO NOTED THAT ALL THE WIRING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS BRITTLE TO THE POINT THAT ANY MANIPULATION, NO MATTER HOW SLIGHT,. WOULD CAUSE THE INSULATION TO FALL AWAY. THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD. I HAVE PARKED THE CAR, AND REMOVED THE BATTERY, SINCE I FEEL IT IS TOO DANGEROUS TO EVEN PARK IN THE YARD. *TR

2010-08-20, Electrical System
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY & LOST POWER, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I ALMOST GOT KILLED, I FINALLY PULLED ON THE SHOULDER& EASED TO SERVICE ROAD & I NOTICED THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AT IDLE SPEED, THE A/C WAS RUNNING ALL THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS FUNCTIONING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I TRIED TO REV ENGINE UP BY MOVING THE CABLE LEVER MANUALLY; THE ENGINE WOULD NOT GO ABOVE IDLE, HAD THE CAR TOWED TO EWING MERCEDES BENZ THEY HAD TO ORDER THE WHOLE ENGINE HARNESS. IT WILL COST ME $1100 OR MORE TO HAVE IT REPLACED. THIS WIRING HARNESS IS IN POOR SHAPE ON THESE CAR THE INSULATION BECOME BRITTLE AND FALLS APART. *TR

2009-07-21, Suspension
THIS IS NOT A FAILURE YET, BUT A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. I HAVE A 96 MERCEDES E300D, AND THIS PARTICULAR MODEL THE SO CALLED W210 MODEL HAS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THE FRONT SPRING PERCHES. THEY ARE WELDED ON AND TEND TO RUST OUT AND FAIL, MEANING THAT THE CAR WILL DROP TO THE GROUND. THIS COULD CAUSE MAJOR AND SERIOUS DAMAGE IF THE COLLAPSE OCCURS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. MY CAR AT THIS TIME IS NOT TOO BAD, BUT IN THE FUTURE THIS MIGHT BECOME AN ISSUE. PLEASE VISTI THIS THREAD TO SEE WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT. THIS IS FROM A FORUM THAT I USE TO WORK ON MY MERCEDES VEHICLES. HTTP://WWW.PEACHPARTS.COM/SHOPFORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=95228 THIS LINK WILL SHOW THE COMPLAINT THAT OWNERS LIKE MYSELF HAVE ABOUT THE

2008-10-22, Suspension
I OWN A 1996 MERCEDES 300D THE FRONT SPRING RETAINER RUSTED OUT AND THE FRONT RIGHT CAR COLLAPSED. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ALL 1996 1997 1998 MERCEDES THE PART IS PART OF THE UNIBODY. THE RUST CANNOT BE SEEN BY THE HUMAN EYE BECAUSE IT RUST BEHIND THE RETAINER. IF I HAD RIDING 60 MILES A HOUR I THINK THE CAR WOULD ROLL OVER. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW IT HAS 103 THOUSAND MILES AND IS GARAGE KEPT. IT COST ME $571.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED. I ASKED THE DEALER TO REPAY ME FOR THE COST THEY REFUSED. THIS HAS HAPPEN BEFORE ON OTHER SUCH MODELS. *TR

1996 Mercedes-Benz E Class questions

Does the 1996 Mercedes-Benz E Class have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 1996 Mercedes-Benz E Class: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Mercedes-Benz E Class?

Based on 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Suspension (7), Electrical System (6), Engine And Engine Cooling (3).

How do I check if a recall on my 1996 Mercedes-Benz E Class has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.