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

1996 Mercedes-Benz S Class recalls

Most common 1996 Mercedes-Benz S Class problems

Problem areas named in the 6 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Engine And Engine Cooling	2
Visibility	1
Electrical System	1
Equipment	1
Steering	1

What owners report

2014-05-06, 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 FLUID TO FLOOD THE CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.

2011-06-30, Engine And Engine Cooling
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 DULY IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS A DEFECTIVE PART, HOWEVER THE PART WAS PROMPTLY FIXED. THE AMOUNT WAS $1,097.36. I HAVE SENT 2 LETTERS TO MERCEDES BENZ USA HEADQUARTERS AND GERMANY HEADQUARTERS REPORTING THE PROBLEM AS A DEFECTIVE ISSUE AND REQUESTING FOR COMPENSATION, HOWEVER THEY HAVE NOT RESPONDED REGARDING THIS MATTER. *TR

2008-08-20, 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

2008-08-08, Engine And Engine Cooling
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

2007-02-20, Electrical System
WIRING HARNESS IS DEFECTIVE. *NM

1996 Mercedes-Benz S Class questions

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

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 1996 Mercedes-Benz S 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 S Class?

Based on 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Engine And Engine Cooling (2), Visibility (1), Electrical System (1).

How do I check if a recall on my 1996 Mercedes-Benz S 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.