NHTSA vehicle safety data

1996 Mercedes Benz E Class Recalls & Complaints

The 1996 Mercedes Benz E Class has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 16 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Mercedes Benz dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1996 Mercedes Benz E Class. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

1996 Mercedes Benz E Class owner complaints

Owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Mercedes Benz E Class, describing incidents dated June 6, 1996 to July 17, 2012.

Most-cited components

Suspension 7 complaints
Electrical System 6 complaints
Engine 3 complaints
Equipment 1 complaint
Power Train 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #10465991 · Filed July 17, 2012
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 NOTICED ARCHING WHEN POWER WAS APPLIED. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. *TR
ODI #10453136 · Filed March 26, 2012
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 AND BARE. I ALSO NOTED THAT ALL THE WIRING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS BRITTLE TO THE POINT THAT…
ODI #10350841 · Filed August 20, 2010
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY & LOST POWER, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I ALMOST GOT KILLED, I FINALLY PULLED ON THE SHOULDER& EASED TO SERVICE ROAD & I NOTICED THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AT IDLE SPEED, THE A/C WAS RUNNING ALL THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS FUNCTIONING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I TRIED…

Read all 16 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1996 Mercedes Benz E Class in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE07-021: FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING EJECTION
Closed August 9, 2007

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

FMVSS 108/AFTERMARKET COMBINATION LAMPS

NHTSA #09E012000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported April 7, 2009 · SABERSPORT

Potentially affected: 16,270 vehicles

Owners notified May 11, 2009

Defect description

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Safety consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES PRODUCED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER.IN ORDER TO DETERMINE IF YOUR AFTERMARKET LAMP ASSEMBLY IS AFFECTED BY THIS NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE REVIEW THE LIST OF MODEL NUMBERS PROVIDED TO US BY SABERSPORT.THE LIST CAN BE FOUND UNDER "DOCUMENT SEARCH" LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

Engine and Engine Cooling — Engine

NHTSA #96V058000 · NHTSA notice

Reported April 4, 1996 · MERCEDES-BENZ USA, INC.

Potentially affected: 149 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 96-0413 · Owners notified April 22, 1996

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT DAMPER-PULLEY ON THESE VEHICLES.

Notes

SYSTEM: ENGINE; PULLEY; CRANKSHAFT.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 6-CYLINDER ENGINES. NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, SHOULD CONTACT MERCEDES-BENZ AT 1-800-367-6372. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

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

16 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Mercedes Benz E Class.

Electrical System

ODI #10465991

Incident: July 17, 2012 · Filed: July 17, 2012

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 NOTICED ARCHING WHEN POWER WAS APPLIED. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling; Power Train; Electrical System

ODI #10453136

Incident: December 22, 2011 · Filed: March 26, 2012

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 AND BARE. I ALSO NOTED THAT ALL THE WIRING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS BRITTLE TO THE POINT THAT ANY MANIPULATION, NO MATTER HOW SLIGHT,. WOULD CAUSE THE INSULATION TO FALL AWAY. THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD. I HAVE PARKED THE CAR, AND REMOVED THE BATTERY, SINCE I FEEL IT IS TOO DANGEROUS TO EVEN PARK IN THE YARD. *TR

Electrical System

ODI #10350841

Incident: August 14, 2010 · Filed: August 20, 2010

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY & LOST POWER, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I ALMOST GOT KILLED, I FINALLY PULLED ON THE SHOULDER& EASED TO SERVICE ROAD & I NOTICED THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AT IDLE SPEED, THE A/C WAS RUNNING ALL THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS FUNCTIONING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I TRIED TO REV ENGINE UP BY MOVING THE CABLE LEVER MANUALLY; THE ENGINE WOULD NOT GO ABOVE IDLE, HAD THE CAR TOWED TO EWING MERCEDES BENZ THEY HAD TO ORDER THE WHOLE ENGINE HARNESS. IT WILL COST ME $1100 OR MORE TO HAVE IT REPLACED. THIS WIRING HARNESS IS IN POOR SHAPE ON THESE CAR THE INSULATION BECOME BRITTLE AND FALLS APART. *TR

Suspension

ODI #10277678

Incident: June 6, 1996 · Filed: July 21, 2009

THIS IS NOT A FAILURE YET, BUT A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. I HAVE A 96 MERCEDES E300D, AND THIS PARTICULAR MODEL THE SO CALLED W210 MODEL HAS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THE FRONT SPRING PERCHES. THEY ARE WELDED ON AND TEND TO RUST OUT AND FAIL, MEANING THAT THE CAR WILL DROP TO THE GROUND. THIS COULD CAUSE MAJOR AND SERIOUS DAMAGE IF THE COLLAPSE OCCURS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. MY CAR AT THIS TIME IS NOT TOO BAD, BUT IN THE FUTURE THIS MIGHT BECOME AN ISSUE. PLEASE VISTI THIS THREAD TO SEE WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT. THIS IS FROM A FORUM THAT I USE TO WORK ON MY MERCEDES VEHICLES. HTTP://WWW.PEACHPARTS.COM/SHOPFORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=95228 THIS LINK WILL SHOW THE COMPLAINT THAT OWNERS LIKE MYSELF HAVE ABOUT THE FRONT SUSPENSION ON THIS MODEL. MERCEDES HAS REPLACED THIS ON SOME MODELS, BUT THEY SHOULD REPLACE IT ON ALL VEHICLES THEY SOLD. *TR

Suspension

ODI #10246366

Incident: September 9, 2008 · Filed: October 22, 2008

I OWN A 1996 MERCEDES 300D THE FRONT SPRING RETAINER RUSTED OUT AND THE FRONT RIGHT CAR COLLAPSED. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ALL 1996 1997 1998 MERCEDES THE PART IS PART OF THE UNIBODY. THE RUST CANNOT BE SEEN BY THE HUMAN EYE BECAUSE IT RUST BEHIND THE RETAINER. IF I HAD RIDING 60 MILES A HOUR I THINK THE CAR WOULD ROLL OVER. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW IT HAS 103 THOUSAND MILES AND IS GARAGE KEPT. IT COST ME $571.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED. I ASKED THE DEALER TO REPAY ME FOR THE COST THEY REFUSED. THIS HAS HAPPEN BEFORE ON OTHER SUCH MODELS. *TR

Suspension

ODI #10216321

Incident: January 24, 2008 · Filed: January 28, 2008

UPON MECHANICAL INSPECTION I WAS TOLD THAT THE FRONT SPRING PERCH WAS CORRODED FROM THE INNER FENDER, IF THIS IS NOT CORRECTED THE FRONT SUSPENSION WILL COLLAPSE. I HAVE FOUND THAT SEVERAL E300D OWNERS (96 AND NEWER) HAVE SUFFERED THE SAME ISSUE REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE. THERE IS ALREADY A RECALL FOR THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE IN CANADA. IT IS OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE TO HAVE IT COMPLETED IN THE US SINCE THERE ARE MANY 96 TO 02 300'S ON THE ROAD. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10202793

Incident: July 30, 2006 · Filed: September 12, 2007

ENGINE AND ALL ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS SUDDENLY STOPPED WHILE DRIVING. AFTER TOWING, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS HAD VIRTUALLY DISINTEGRATED. PARTS AND LABOR TO REPAIR APPROX. $1000. FILING NOW ONLY BECAUSE I JUST FOUND OUT THAT IT IS A RECURRING PROBLEM ON MERCEDES-BENZ VEHICLES AROUND MY YEAR (1996). *TR

Electrical System

ODI #10197964

Incident: September 1, 2006 · Filed: July 31, 2007

WIRING HARNESS DETERIORATED CAUSING ELECTRICAL SHORT-CIRCUIT. *JB

Suspension

ODI #10193470

Incident: May 1, 2007 · Filed: June 15, 2007

I STOPPED THE CAR A FEW MINUTS AGO WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT SPRING PERCH BROKE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS NOT DRIVING OTHERWISE I COULD POSSIBLY INJURED OR DEAD. *AK

Electrical System

ODI #10173583

Incident: November 12, 2006 · Filed: November 15, 2006

ENGINE WIRING HARNESS INSULATION BREAKING DOWN CAUSING SHORTS AND OTHER PROBLEMS. IT CAUSED MY GLOW PLUG TO BLOW CAUSING AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR. *NM

Other Mercedes Benz E Class model years

Check your 1996 Mercedes Benz E Class VIN

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

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