1996 Mercedes-Benz E Class Recalls, Complaints & Specs
1 safety recall lists the 1996 Mercedes-Benz E Class, and owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
1 safety recall for the 1996 Mercedes-Benz E Class
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Engine (engine and engine cooling)
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine crankshaft damper-pulley on these vehicles.
16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1996 Mercedes-Benz E Class have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 141,296 miles. Complaints peaked in 2006 with 3 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Performing maintenance on the car, i noticed that the main engine electrical harness was almost completely deteriorated. The insulation on individual wires had rotted off, leaving exposed wiring. I no”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 17, 2012 · Electrical system
“After several electrical abnormalities, i examined the engine compartment, which for all practical purposes, looks as new. I was shocked to see that the wiring at the glow plug relay was deteriorated”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 26, 2012 · Electrical system
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1996 Mercedes-Benz E-Class (E300 Diesel, E320). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 19–27 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 17–24 / 24–32 |
| Fuel | Diesel, Premium |
| EPA class | Compact Cars |
| Engine | 6 cyl, 3/3.2 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd |
Compare Mercedes-Benz E Class model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Mercedes-Benz E Class model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 Mercedes-Benz E Class | 1 | 0 |
| 1993 Mercedes-Benz E Class | 1 | 7 |
| 1994 Mercedes-Benz E Class | 1 | 38 |
| 1995 Mercedes-Benz E Class | 1 | 21 |
| 1996 Mercedes-Benz E Class | 1 | 16 |
| 1997 Mercedes-Benz E Class | 1 | 38 |
| 1998 Mercedes-Benz E Class | 0 | 24 |
| 1999 Mercedes-Benz E Class | 1 | 13 |
| 2000 Mercedes-Benz E Class | 0 | 34 |
| 2001 Mercedes-Benz E Class | 0 | 15 |
| 2002 Mercedes-Benz E Class | 0 | 8 |
| 2003 Mercedes-Benz E Class | 4 | 45 |
| 2004 Mercedes-Benz E Class | 4 | 15 |
| 2005 Mercedes-Benz E Class | 3 | 9 |
| 2006 Mercedes-Benz E Class | 1 | 10 |
| 2008 Mercedes-Benz E Class | 0 | 5 |
Checking a specific 1996 Mercedes-Benz E Class
How do I know if my 1996 Mercedes-Benz E Class 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 Mercedes-Benz E Class; 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 Mercedes-Benz dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 96V058000).
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.
Other Mercedes-Benz models
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- ML350952 complaints
- GLK350904 complaints
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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.