1996 Mercedes Benz C Class
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Mercedes Benz › C Class › 1996
These records cover every 1996 Mercedes Benz C Class. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 1996 Mercedes Benz C Class. Newest first.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Owner complaints
6 complaints
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system
1996 mercedes C220; electrical harness problems; engine will turn over but will not start; sometimes the car will start and run, then will cut off when slowing up at a stop or when putting into reverse. several mechanics say that the mercedes company allowed inferior wiring to be used but will not…
1996 mercedes C220; electrical harness problems; engine will turn over but will not start; sometimes the car will start and run, then will cut off when slowing up at a stop or when putting into reverse. several mechanics say that the mercedes company allowed inferior wiring to be used but will not stand behind the product. this IS not safe and a recall should have been issued or dealers should pay for the replacement of the wiring. *tr
- Engine and engine cooling
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 mercedes benz C280. while driving approximately 40 mph the steering wheel became very stiff and difficult to turn. the check engine and battery lights began illuminating moments before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed. The failure was not diagnosed. the…
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 mercedes benz C280. while driving approximately 40 mph the steering wheel became very stiff and difficult to turn. the check engine and battery lights began illuminating moments before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed. The failure was not diagnosed. the manufacturer was notified and the contact was told that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with nhtsa campaign ID number 96v058000, engine and engine cooling:engine. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and current mileages were 119,293.
- Electrical system
The car not run the wiring of computer to fuel injection IS fails. *tr
- Electrical system · Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
Hesitation/ no response from engine. signal lights/ emergency flashers not working at times. this problem put my family at risk since it was in a intersection. *Jb
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood · Equipment · Fuel system, gasoline
I own a c 280 (96) [xxx] car started consuming more gas than normal, was harder to start, started missing and drove sluggish. I replaced the spark plugs and cables. but it got worse, and then quit, as if it was out of time. I send it to an imported car service shop in dalton, ga. they told me…
I own a c 280 (96) [xxx] car started consuming more gas than normal, was harder to start, started missing and drove sluggish. I replaced the spark plugs and cables. but it got worse, and then quit, as if it was out of time. I send it to an imported car service shop in dalton, ga. they told me that it IS a common problem on this mercedes benz benz. the wiring harness underhood (insulation on the wiring) crumbled to pieces, like dust and shorted relays and all the car. I paid over $2600.00 to have it repaired. I still have the old harness as evidence that it should be a recall because y could lead to a worse problem, like fire. the mechanic told me that he has repaired several C-280 with the same problem and that mercedes benz has been notified and they will not do anything. an expensive car as it IS should be built better than this. (the wiring harness itself IS worth $1600.00 or more. *nm updated 07/17/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(B)(6)
- Electrical system › Ignition · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
While driving at any speed on highway, engine will stall without prior warning, on different occassions had happened in middle of highway, and consumer had to pull vehicle off the road to avoid accidents. Dealer could not determine what had caused stalling.*ak consumer stated the check engine lights comes on frequently.*slc also the spark plugs were replaced. *Yd
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10136029SENTEX gate operator with Clik Card Remote not compatible with Homelink
- 10028147Mercedes: replacing the longitudinal member (left and right) below the main floor panel on all my 204 up to 12/31/07. (C300, C350, C300 4-matic, C63 ame).
- 601449Updated information to reflect additon of approved tires.
Every Mercedes Benz C Class model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.