1996 MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS

2 recalls — 6 complaints — 17 TSBs

09E012000 Apr 7, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Defect Description
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... Read more
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.
16,270 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: SABERSPORT
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

6 total complaints

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM1
STEERING1
STEERING May 6, 2014
Incident date: Apr 10, 2014
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 ELE... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM Jun 30, 2011
Incident date: Apr 14, 2011
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 TH... Read more
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER Aug 20, 2008
Incident date: Aug 16, 2008
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
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Aug 8, 2008
Incident date: Aug 2, 2008
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
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING Feb 20, 2007
Incident date: Feb 20, 2007
WIRING HARNESS IS DEFECTIVE. *NM
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS Feb 22, 2006
Incident date: Feb 22, 2006
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 IS... Read more

Technical Service Bulletins — 1996 MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS

17 manufacturer communications from 6 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

ComponentBulletins
190000 TIRES1
151000 SEAT BELTS:FRONT1
135200 VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR1
034000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS1
034100 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER1
034200 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS1
034300 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE1
034400 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM1
LI82.30-P-059239 Jun 23, 2014
136000 VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
Complaints about poor wiping effect of winshield wiper
SB-P-047527 Jul 31, 2009
050000 PARKING BRAKE
MERCEDES: PARKTRONIC INTERMITTENTLY NOT FUNCTIONING. THE FUNCTION WORKS AGAIN AFTER A SHORT TIME OR DISTANCE. WHEN THE FOOT OPERATED PARKING BRAKE IS APPLIED, THE PARKTRONIC SYSTEM IS DEACTIVATED. IF THE FOOT OPERATED PARKING BRAKE IS O
TSB-42-10-109 Jun 15, 2009
034410 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:WHEEL CYLINDERS
MERCEDES: CORROSION PROTECTION COATINGS FOR BRAKE COMPONENTS AND HARDWARE MAY BE DAMAGED AND OR STRIPPED AWAY IF HIGHLY CONCENTRATED ACID BASED CLEANERS ARE USED. ONCE THE CORROSION PROTECTION IS DAMAGED OR REMOVED THE BRAKE COMPONENTS AN
TSB-42-10-109 Jun 15, 2009
034530 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
MERCEDES: CORROSION PROTECTION COATINGS FOR BRAKE COMPONENTS AND HARDWARE MAY BE DAMAGED AND OR STRIPPED AWAY IF HIGHLY CONCENTRATED ACID BASED CLEANERS ARE USED. ONCE THE CORROSION PROTECTION IS DAMAGED OR REMOVED THE BRAKE COMPONENTS AN
TSB-42-10-109 Jun 15, 2009
034520 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
MERCEDES: CORROSION PROTECTION COATINGS FOR BRAKE COMPONENTS AND HARDWARE MAY BE DAMAGED AND OR STRIPPED AWAY IF HIGHLY CONCENTRATED ACID BASED CLEANERS ARE USED. ONCE THE CORROSION PROTECTION IS DAMAGED OR REMOVED THE BRAKE COMPONENTS AN
TSB-42-10-109 Jun 15, 2009
034510 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
MERCEDES: CORROSION PROTECTION COATINGS FOR BRAKE COMPONENTS AND HARDWARE MAY BE DAMAGED AND OR STRIPPED AWAY IF HIGHLY CONCENTRATED ACID BASED CLEANERS ARE USED. ONCE THE CORROSION PROTECTION IS DAMAGED OR REMOVED THE BRAKE COMPONENTS AN
TSB-42-10-109 Jun 15, 2009
034500 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
MERCEDES: CORROSION PROTECTION COATINGS FOR BRAKE COMPONENTS AND HARDWARE MAY BE DAMAGED AND OR STRIPPED AWAY IF HIGHLY CONCENTRATED ACID BASED CLEANERS ARE USED. ONCE THE CORROSION PROTECTION IS DAMAGED OR REMOVED THE BRAKE COMPONENTS AN
TSB-42-10-109 Jun 15, 2009
034430 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:DRUM
MERCEDES: CORROSION PROTECTION COATINGS FOR BRAKE COMPONENTS AND HARDWARE MAY BE DAMAGED AND OR STRIPPED AWAY IF HIGHLY CONCENTRATED ACID BASED CLEANERS ARE USED. ONCE THE CORROSION PROTECTION IS DAMAGED OR REMOVED THE BRAKE COMPONENTS AN
TSB-42-10-109 Jun 15, 2009
034420 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS
MERCEDES: CORROSION PROTECTION COATINGS FOR BRAKE COMPONENTS AND HARDWARE MAY BE DAMAGED AND OR STRIPPED AWAY IF HIGHLY CONCENTRATED ACID BASED CLEANERS ARE USED. ONCE THE CORROSION PROTECTION IS DAMAGED OR REMOVED THE BRAKE COMPONENTS AN
TSB-42-10-109 Jun 15, 2009
034400 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
MERCEDES: CORROSION PROTECTION COATINGS FOR BRAKE COMPONENTS AND HARDWARE MAY BE DAMAGED AND OR STRIPPED AWAY IF HIGHLY CONCENTRATED ACID BASED CLEANERS ARE USED. ONCE THE CORROSION PROTECTION IS DAMAGED OR REMOVED THE BRAKE COMPONENTS AN
TSB-42-10-109 Jun 15, 2009
034300 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE
MERCEDES: CORROSION PROTECTION COATINGS FOR BRAKE COMPONENTS AND HARDWARE MAY BE DAMAGED AND OR STRIPPED AWAY IF HIGHLY CONCENTRATED ACID BASED CLEANERS ARE USED. ONCE THE CORROSION PROTECTION IS DAMAGED OR REMOVED THE BRAKE COMPONENTS AN
TSB-42-10-109 Jun 15, 2009
034200 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
MERCEDES: CORROSION PROTECTION COATINGS FOR BRAKE COMPONENTS AND HARDWARE MAY BE DAMAGED AND OR STRIPPED AWAY IF HIGHLY CONCENTRATED ACID BASED CLEANERS ARE USED. ONCE THE CORROSION PROTECTION IS DAMAGED OR REMOVED THE BRAKE COMPONENTS AN
TSB-42-10-109 Jun 15, 2009
034100 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
MERCEDES: CORROSION PROTECTION COATINGS FOR BRAKE COMPONENTS AND HARDWARE MAY BE DAMAGED AND OR STRIPPED AWAY IF HIGHLY CONCENTRATED ACID BASED CLEANERS ARE USED. ONCE THE CORROSION PROTECTION IS DAMAGED OR REMOVED THE BRAKE COMPONENTS AN
TSB-42-10-109 Jun 15, 2009
034000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
MERCEDES: CORROSION PROTECTION COATINGS FOR BRAKE COMPONENTS AND HARDWARE MAY BE DAMAGED AND OR STRIPPED AWAY IF HIGHLY CONCENTRATED ACID BASED CLEANERS ARE USED. ONCE THE CORROSION PROTECTION IS DAMAGED OR REMOVED THE BRAKE COMPONENTS AN
887039 Mar 16, 2005
135200 VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
SEAL BETWEEN EXTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR HOUSING AND DOOR. *TT
914031B Sep 1, 2004
151000 SEAT BELTS:FRONT
ORDERING PROCESS FOR EXTENDED LENGTH SEAT BELTS. *TT
PSIMBNA4020M Jun 1, 1998
190000 TIRES
UPDATED INFORMATION TO REFLECT ADDITON OF APPROVED TIRES. *YC

MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS — All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS across all model years (1994–2012).

28 Total Recalls
338 Total Complaints
0 Investigations
9 Reported Crashes
9 Reported Fires
0 Reported Deaths

MERCEDES-BENZ S CLASS — Year by Year

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

Year Recalls Complaints
2012 1 1 View
2009 1 3 View
2005 1 3 View
2004 4 17 View
2003 2 43 View
2002 2 56 View
2001 5 46 View
2000 5 101 View
1999 1 10 View
1998 1 2 View
1997 1 4 View
1996 (current) 2 6
1995 1 32 View
1994 1 14 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