1996 M-B 260 Recalls, Complaints & Specs
1 safety recall lists the 1996 M-B 260, and owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
1 safety recall for the 1996 M-B 260
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
-
Connecting (steering)
Vehicle description: transit buses equipped with spicer 6,000 or 8,000 lb. Front steer axles. The tie rod end can pull outboard and separate from the tie rod tube due to improper thread engagement between the male tie rod end and the female tube.
Remedy: Spicer is conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign. Dealers will replace the complete tie rod assembly.
2 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1996 M-B 260 have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 92,000 miles. Complaints peaked in 2005 with 1 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“I have a 1996 mercedes benz c220 that the wiring insulation is discenagrating on threw out the car really bad wire insulation fire danger failure of electrical systems danger. *tr”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 1, 2008 · Electrical system
“The front coil spring support welds failed and resulted in an damaged front suspension.*ak”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 4, 2005 · Suspension
Compare M-B 260 model years
Recall and complaint counts for every M-B 260 model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 M-B 260 | 1 | 2 |
| 1997 M-B 260 | 1 | 0 |
Checking a specific 1996 M-B 260
How do I know if my 1996 M-B 260 has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 1 campaign currently lists the 1996 M-B 260; your car may already have been repaired under it.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised M-B dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 99V033005).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.