NHTSA vehicle safety data

1996 Mercedes Benz 320 Recalls & Complaints

We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 1996 Mercedes Benz 320 right now, so this page doesn't state a recall count — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for current campaigns. 14 owner complaints are on file.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1996 Mercedes Benz 320.

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1996 Mercedes Benz 320 owner complaints

Owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Mercedes Benz 320, describing incidents dated November 8, 1995 to July 20, 2012.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 3 complaints
Unknown or Other 3 complaints
Engine 2 complaints
Air Bags 1 complaint
Parking Brake 1 complaint
Power Train 1 complaint

Of the 14 complaints on file, 1 reports a fire; across all 14 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10470163 · Filed August 10, 2012
CAR WENT COMPLETED "DEAD" AT STOP SIGN. COULD NOT RESTART ENGINE. CALLED MECHANIC AND WIRES WITHIN ENGINE WIRING HARNESS HAD SHORTED OUT DUE TO WIRE INSULATION CRACKING AND BREAKING OFF AND SHORTING WITH OTHER ENGINE COMPONENTS. MECHANIC STRIPPED OUT WIRE AND SPLICED IT. STATED THE WIRES ARE IN BAD…
ODI #10224829 · Filed April 17, 2008
CRACKED WIRING HARNESS. DISCOVERED WHEN REAR LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK. *TR
ODI #10221826 · Filed March 20, 2008
MY 1996 MERCEDES BENZ S320 CAUGHT ON FIRE 3/16/08 DUE TO A DEFECTIVE HARNESS WIRING THAT CAUSE BURNED WIRES IN THE CONSOLE, UNDER THE SEAT, THE DOOR PANELS, DAMAGED THE VACUUM LINES, SIDE VIEW MIRROR AND POTENTIALLY THE CONTROL UNITS. YOUR NHTSA HAS RECEIVED HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM…

Read all 14 complaints

We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 1996 Mercedes Benz 320 right now — this is not a confirmed "no recalls". Check the VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls for the official status.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1996 Mercedes Benz 320. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

14 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Mercedes Benz 320.

Electrical System; Engine

ODI #10470163

Incident: July 20, 2012 · Filed: August 10, 2012

CAR WENT COMPLETED "DEAD" AT STOP SIGN. COULD NOT RESTART ENGINE. CALLED MECHANIC AND WIRES WITHIN ENGINE WIRING HARNESS HAD SHORTED OUT DUE TO WIRE INSULATION CRACKING AND BREAKING OFF AND SHORTING WITH OTHER ENGINE COMPONENTS. MECHANIC STRIPPED OUT WIRE AND SPLICED IT. STATED THE WIRES ARE IN BAD SHAPE DUE TO THE TYPE OF INSULATION MERCEDES USED FROM 1991 TO 1997. HE STATED I SHOULD REPLACE THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS AS IT WOULD CONTINUE TO SHORT OUT COMPONENTS AND WOULD BE NOT ONLY A DRIVING HAZARD BUT ALSO A FIRE HAZARD. *TR

Electrical System

ODI #10224829

Incident: January 15, 2007 · Filed: April 17, 2008

CRACKED WIRING HARNESS. DISCOVERED WHEN REAR LIGHTS WOULD NOT WORK. *TR

Electrical System

ODI #10221826

Fire 1 injury

Incident: March 16, 2008 · Filed: March 20, 2008

MY 1996 MERCEDES BENZ S320 CAUGHT ON FIRE 3/16/08 DUE TO A DEFECTIVE HARNESS WIRING THAT CAUSE BURNED WIRES IN THE CONSOLE, UNDER THE SEAT, THE DOOR PANELS, DAMAGED THE VACUUM LINES, SIDE VIEW MIRROR AND POTENTIALLY THE CONTROL UNITS. YOUR NHTSA HAS RECEIVED HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH THE MERCEDES VEHICLES [EARLY 1990 MODELS]. WHEN I SPOKE TO THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENT AT MERCEDES HEADQUARTERS TWO OF THEM DENIED A PROBLEM WITH WIRING CATCHING ON FIRE AND TWO DEALERSHIPS SAID THAT THEY HAD NOT HEARD OF ANY CASES INVOLVING FAULTY WIRING. THE MECHANIC THAT SPOKE HONESTLY SAID THAT THERE ARE AS MANY AS 30,000 VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM BUT MERCEDES IS IN DENIAL AND ARE AVOIDING A MAJOR RECALL. THE PROBLEM IS KNOWN AMONG DEALERS AND MECHANICS WHO ARE TRAINED TO REPAIR MERCEDES VEHICLES. I WANT MY COMPLAINT ADDED TO THE OTHERS THAT ARE ON YOUR LIST AND COULD YOU PLEASE TELL ME WHAT IS THE NHTSA SAYING ABOUT THIS MERCEDES PROBLEM AND WHAT IS THE NEXT MOVE TO DEAL WITH A MANUFACTURERS PROBLEM THAT ENDANGERS OUR LIVES ON THE HIGHWAY. MY VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING IN BURNING WHILE ENROUTE TO ALBANY, GA FROM AMERICUS, GA. THE EXPERIENCE WAS FRIGHTENING AND IT COULD HAVE CAUSED LOSS OF LIFE. I AM A PRACTICING PHYSICIAN AND I HOPE YOUR ADMINISTRATION CAN GET MERCEDES TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM LIKE SO MANY OTHER CAR MANUFACTURERS HAVE DONE. THANK YOU *TR

Air Bags

ODI #8007457

Incident: April 1, 2002 · Filed: April 11, 2002

SRS DID NOT DEPLOY UNDER THE RIGHT CONDITION.*AK

Structure

ODI #978408

Incident: January 30, 1996 · Filed: January 30, 1996

WHEN DOORS ARE NOT PROPERLY CLOSED THERE IS NO INDICATION OF THE DOOR BEING OPEN. TT

Visibility

ODI #605151

Incident: March 1, 1996 · Filed: September 22, 1997

WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #604408

Incident: June 30, 1996 · Filed: October 22, 1997

ELECTRONIC SENSOR FAILED.

Unknown or Other

ODI #602850

Incident: June 1, 1996 · Filed: February 12, 1997

REMOTE CONTROL RECEIVER INOPERATIVE.

Unknown or Other

ODI #602728

Incident: August 1, 1996 · Filed: February 12, 1997

ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED TWICE DUE TO DEFECTIVE CHIP.

Seat Belts

ODI #602613

Incident: May 1, 1996 · Filed: February 24, 1997

REAR SEAT BELT FAILED.

Check your 1996 Mercedes Benz 320 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Mercedes Benz 320 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Mercedes Benz VIN