1996 Mercedes-Benz S Class Recalls, Complaints & Specs
1 safety recall lists the 1996 Mercedes-Benz S Class, and owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
1 safety recall for the 1996 Mercedes-Benz S 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.
6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1996 Mercedes-Benz S Class have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 113,570 miles. Complaints peaked in 2008 with 2 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“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 w”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 6, 2014 · Steering
“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, h”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 30, 2011 · Engine and engine cooling
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1996 Mercedes-Benz S-Class (S320, S420, S500, S500 Coupe, …). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 14–18 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 11–15 / 17–22 |
| Fuel | Premium |
| EPA class | Compact Cars, Large Cars |
| Engine | 6/8/12 cyl, 3.2/4.2/5/6 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 5-spd |
Compare Mercedes-Benz S Class model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Mercedes-Benz S Class model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 0 | 12 |
| 1995 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 0 | 27 |
| 1996 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 1 | 6 |
| 1997 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 0 | 2 |
| 1998 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 0 | 2 |
| 1999 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 0 | 9 |
| 2000 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 5 | 81 |
| 2001 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 5 | 36 |
| 2002 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 2 | 48 |
| 2003 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 2 | 28 |
| 2004 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 4 | 15 |
| 2005 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 1 | 2 |
| 2009 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 1 | 2 |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz S Class | 1 | 1 |
Checking a specific 1996 Mercedes-Benz S Class
How do I know if my 1996 Mercedes-Benz S 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 S 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
- C3003,469 complaints
- E3502,170 complaints
- E3201,164 complaints
- ML350952 complaints
- GLK350904 complaints
- ML320742 complaints
- C250726 complaints
- C230657 complaints
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.