1996 Mercedes Benz S Class

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.

About this comparison →

6Owner complaints

Model-year median: 10.5

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Inspection summary

1996 Mercedes Benz S Class

NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 6 owner complaints · 1 recall campaigns · 0 investigations.

Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.

Top reported categories (up to 5)

Engine And Engine Cooling: 2 reports
Electrical System: 1 reports
Equipment: 1 reports
Steering: 1 reports
Visibility: 1 reports

Full reported-category list and vehicle report

Recall links

96V058000 — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year

Compare all S Class years →

Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 5 of 6 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Equipment. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Visibility complaints

1 reports

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Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2006

Visibility

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 ISSUE SERIOUSLY. THIS HAS HAPPE…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10150887

Recall campaigns

96V058000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Apr 4, 1996

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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

Defect investigations

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.