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NHTSA vehicle safety data

1996 Mercedes Benz SL Class Recalls & Complaints

The 1996 Mercedes Benz SL Class has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 2 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 SL Class. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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

1996 Mercedes Benz SL Class owner complaints

Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Mercedes Benz SL Class, describing incidents dated August 1, 2007 to July 2, 2008.

Most-cited components

  • Electrical System 1 complaint
  • Engine 1 complaint

Newest complaints

  • ODI #10233876 · Filed

    MY 1996 MERCEDES SL600 FAILED EMISSIONS TESTING BECAUSE THE OBDII SYSTEM CHECK REPORTED 5 MONITORS WERE "NOT READY". AFTER GREAT EXPENSE ATTEMPTING TO FIX THE PROBLEMS INDICATED BY THIS OUTPUT, I DISCOVERED THROUGH INTERNET SEARCHES AND COMMUNICATIONS WITH ILLINOIS EPA THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM…

  • ODI #10198184 · Filed

    1996 MERCEDES BENZ SL 600 WIRING HARNESS FAILURE AUTHORIZED DEALER REPORTS THAT THIS IS A TYPICAL FAILURE OF AN OLDER MERCEDES WITH ONLY 60,000 MILES. THIS FAILURE IS KNOW THROUGH OUT THE INDUSTRY BUT IT HAS NEVER BEEN RECOGNIZED BY MB CONSEQUENTLY NO RECALL. THE CAR RUNS SLUGGISHLY AND I HAVE BEEN…

Read all 2 complaints

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> .

MERCEDES/HEADLAMP

NHTSA #96V175000 · Visibility · NHTSA notice

Reported September 19, 1996 · MERCEDES-BENZ USA, INC.

Potentially affected: 28,874 vehicles

Owners notified November 15, 1996

Defect description

IF ONE OF THE HEADLAMP WIPER ARMS BECOMES MISALIGNED, THE WIPER BALDE CAN LODGE IN THE GROOVE UNDER THE HEADLAMP. IF THE WASHERS ARE ACTIVATED WITH THE WIPER BLADE IN THE MISALIGNED AND LODGED POSITION, THE WASHER PUMP WILL RUN CONTINUOUSLY EXPELLING ALL AVAILABLE FLUID.

Safety consequence

PUMP OPERATION IN THE ABSENCE OF FLUID CAN CAUSE THE PUMP TO OVERHEAT AND CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLAMP WASHER PUMP ON THESE VEHICLES.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION:OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 18, 1996. 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.

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.

Other Mercedes Benz SL Class model years

Check your 1996 Mercedes Benz SL Class VIN

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

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