1996 MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS

1 recalls — 10 complaints — 4 TSBs

96V058000 Apr 4, 1996
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Defect Description
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.
149 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: MERCEDES-BENZ USA, INC.

Complaint Statistics

10 total complaints

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION1
EQUIPMENT1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Jun 3, 2011
Incident date: Feb 1, 2011
1996 MERCEDES C220; ELECTRICAL HARNESS PROBLEMS; ENGINE WILL TURN OVER BUT WILL NOT START; SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL START AND RUN, THEN WILL CUT OFF WHEN SLOWING UP AT A STOP OR WHEN PUTTING INTO REVERSE. SEVERAL MECHANICS SAY THAT THE MERCEDES COMPANY ALLOWED INFERIOR WIRING TO BE USED BUT WILL NOT ... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Jan 11, 2011
Incident date: Jan 8, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MERCEDES BENZ C280. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CHECK ENGINE AND BATTERY LIGHTS BEGAN ILLUMINATING MOMENTS BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFA... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Jul 20, 2008
Incident date: Feb 14, 2008
THE CAR NOT RUN THE WIRING OF COMPUTER TO FUEL INJECTION IS FAILS. *TR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL Nov 3, 2006
Incident date: Nov 3, 2006
HESITATION/ NO RESPONSE FROM ENGINE. SIGNAL LIGHTS/ EMERGENCY FLASHERS NOT WORKING AT TIMES. THIS PROBLEM PUT MY FAMILY AT RISK SINCE IT WAS IN A INTERSECTION. *JB
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Nov 3, 2006
Incident date: Nov 3, 2006
HESITATION/ NO RESPONSE FROM ENGINE. SIGNAL LIGHTS/ EMERGENCY FLASHERS NOT WORKING AT TIMES. THIS PROBLEM PUT MY FAMILY AT RISK SINCE IT WAS IN A INTERSECTION. *JB
EQUIPMENT Mar 2, 2006
Incident date: Feb 3, 2006
I OWN A C 280 (96) [XXX] CAR STARTED CONSUMING MORE GAS THAN NORMAL, WAS HARDER TO START, STARTED MISSING AND DROVE SLUGGISH. I REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS AND CABLES. BUT IT GOT WORSE, AND THEN QUIT, AS IF IT WAS OUT OF TIME. I SEND IT TO AN IMPORTED CAR SERVICE SHOP IN DALTON, GA. THEY TOLD ME TH... Read more
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE Mar 2, 2006
Incident date: Feb 3, 2006
I OWN A C 280 (96) [XXX] CAR STARTED CONSUMING MORE GAS THAN NORMAL, WAS HARDER TO START, STARTED MISSING AND DROVE SLUGGISH. I REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS AND CABLES. BUT IT GOT WORSE, AND THEN QUIT, AS IF IT WAS OUT OF TIME. I SEND IT TO AN IMPORTED CAR SERVICE SHOP IN DALTON, GA. THEY TOLD ME TH... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD Mar 2, 2006
Incident date: Feb 3, 2006
I OWN A C 280 (96) [XXX] CAR STARTED CONSUMING MORE GAS THAN NORMAL, WAS HARDER TO START, STARTED MISSING AND DROVE SLUGGISH. I REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS AND CABLES. BUT IT GOT WORSE, AND THEN QUIT, AS IF IT WAS OUT OF TIME. I SEND IT TO AN IMPORTED CAR SERVICE SHOP IN DALTON, GA. THEY TOLD ME TH... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE Dec 13, 2001
Incident date: Dec 13, 2001
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ON HIGHWAY, ENGINE WILL STALL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, ON DIFFERENT OCCASSIONS HAD HAPPENED IN MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY, AND CONSUMER HAD TO PULL VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID ACCIDENTS. DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT HAD CAUSED STALLING.*AK CONSUMER STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION Dec 13, 2001
Incident date: Dec 13, 2001
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ON HIGHWAY, ENGINE WILL STALL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, ON DIFFERENT OCCASSIONS HAD HAPPENED IN MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY, AND CONSUMER HAD TO PULL VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID ACCIDENTS. DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT HAD CAUSED STALLING.*AK CONSUMER STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT... Read more

Technical Service Bulletins — 1996 MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS

4 manufacturer communications from 3 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

ComponentBulletins
190000 TIRES1
071120 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING1
091120 FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING1
353100 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES1
LI68.05-P-059193 Jun 20, 2014
353100 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES
SENTEX gate operator with Clik Card Remote not compatible with Homelink
PB-61-10-07 Sep 17, 2008
071120 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING
MERCEDES: REPLACING THE LONGITUDINAL MEMBER (LEFT AND RIGHT) BELOW THE MAIN FLOOR PANEL ON ALL MY 204 UP TO 12/31/07. (C300, C350, C300 4-MATIC, C63 AME). *PE
PB-61-10-07 Sep 17, 2008
091120 FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING
MERCEDES: REPLACING THE LONGITUDINAL MEMBER (LEFT AND RIGHT) BELOW THE MAIN FLOOR PANEL ON ALL MY 204 UP TO 12/31/07. (C300, C350, C300 4-MATIC, C63 AME). *PE
PSIMBNA4020M Jun 1, 1998
190000 TIRES
UPDATED INFORMATION TO REFLECT ADDITON OF APPROVED TIRES. *YC

MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS — All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS across all model years (1996–2006).

8 Total Recalls
254 Total Complaints
0 Investigations
8 Reported Crashes
16 Reported Fires
1 Reported Deaths

MERCEDES-BENZ C CLASS — Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
2006 2 12 View
2005 2 8 View
2004 1 20 View
2003 0 12 View
2002 0 46 View
2001 0 25 View
2000 0 13 View
1999 1 7 View
1998 1 7 View
1997 0 5 View
1996 (current) 1 10
1995 0 64 View
1994 0 19 View
1991 0 1 View

Other MERCEDES-BENZ Models

Model Recalls Complaints
GLA 250 1,219 416 View
GLC 300 1,143 568 View
GLE 350 1,116 311 View
C 300 1,074 360 View
AMG GLS63 963 12 View
AMG C43 944 74 View
CLA 250 923 130 View
AMG GLC43 920 42 View