1996 Mercedes Benz S Class Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other S Class years
- Not enough data 8th of 13 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 1 recall: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Mercedes Benz S Class. That ranks 8th out of 13 S Class model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (2 complaints, 33%), typically at around 66,425 miles. There is 1 safety recall covering this model year.
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- 6owner complaints
- 1safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1996 Mercedes Benz S Class problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 2 | 33% | 66,425 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 1 | 17% | 90,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 1 | 17% | 202,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 1 | 17% | 143,000 | — | — |
| Visibility | 1 | 17% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1996 Mercedes Benz S Class recalls (1)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Engine and engine cooling:engine
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: Dealers will replace the engine crankshaft damper-pulley on these vehicles.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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…
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…
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
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
Wiring harness is defective. *nm
Other Mercedes Benz S Class years
← 1995 S Class · 1997 S Class →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 S Class | 1 | 1 |
| 2009 S Class | 2 | 1 |
| 2005 S Class | 2 | 1 |
| 2004 S Class | 15 | 4 |
| 2003 S Class | 28 | 2 |
| 2002 S Class | 48 | 2 |
| 2001 S Class | 36 | 5 |
| 2000 S Class | 81 | 5 |
| 1999 S Class | 9 | 0 |
| 1998 S Class | 2 | 0 |
| 1997 S Class | 2 | 0 |
| 1996 | 6 | 1 |
| 1995 S Class | 27 | 0 |
See all Mercedes Benz S Class problems by year, every Mercedes Benz model, or the Mercedes Benz VIN decoder.
Similar Mercedes Benz models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Mercedes Benz S Class?
Owners most often report engine and engine cooling, electrical system, equipment problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 2 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1996 Mercedes Benz S Class?
Yes, 1 safety recall. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1996 Mercedes Benz S Class a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other S Class model years, the 1996 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.