1996 Mercedes Benz E Class
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Mercedes Benz › E Class › 1996
These records cover every 1996 Mercedes Benz E Class. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1996 Mercedes Benz E Class. Newest first.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
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.
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
16 complaints
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system
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
- Electrical system · Engine and engine cooling · Power train
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…
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
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…
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 › Front
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…
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 › Front
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 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
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…
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
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 › Wiring › Front underhood
Wiring harness deteriorated causing electrical short-circuit. *Jb
- Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil springs
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 › Wiring › Front underhood
Engine wiring harness insulation breaking down causing shorts and other problems. it caused my glow plug to blow causing an expensive repair. *nm
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
Engine wiring harness disintegration in my 1996 e300d mercedes sedan. *nm
- Suspension › Front
The spring right upper spring mount on my 1996 mb E300 rusted through. the car dropper and I hit the street, ruined my radiator, and the total repair costs are greater than $4000 (verbal estimate). I reported this to mercedes benz na and spoke to ron st pierre the ne regional manager (…
The spring right upper spring mount on my 1996 mb E300 rusted through. the car dropper and I hit the street, ruined my radiator, and the total repair costs are greater than $4000 (verbal estimate). I reported this to mercedes benz na and spoke to ron st pierre the ne regional manager ( 800-526-0315 x7125) who told me that the car was old and mb was not responsible for this. upon searching the nhtsa web site, I have seen about 10 + reports or similar complaints going back 1 or 2 years and nothing from mb reporting this as a problem. the car has been well maintained by a single garage, they have seen a number of these failures, and warned me about this when it happened. I am currently without a car. this IS a serious safety issue and potentially a risk of loss of control. *nm
- Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil springs
I have a 1996 mercedes e300d and recently I learned from an internet message board about a safety defect on this chassis involving the front suspension. specifically it's the upper spring support or perch as some people call it which can rust away and break from the supporting back wall, resulting…
I have a 1996 mercedes e300d and recently I learned from an internet message board about a safety defect on this chassis involving the front suspension. specifically it's the upper spring support or perch as some people call it which can rust away and break from the supporting back wall, resulting in total loss of control of the vehicle. the rusting IS caused by or at least contributed to by a poor-quality sealant that mercedes uses around that area. after some time this sealant loses its adhesion or starts to crack, trapping water underneath it and starting corrosion. The upper spring support IS only spot welded in two places to the side of the wheel well and it doesn't take much corrosion to cause a failure. on my car the passenger side IS rusted so bad that one of the welds has already broken and the spring support IS now close to failure. peeling off the sealant revealed the true extent of the rust and it IS extensive. the driver's side looked fine at first, but peeling off the sealant revealed extensive rust as well, though the welds are still in one piece. the vehicle has no significant rust elsewhere, only where the sealant used to be and the surrounding area so I definitely believe this IS a manufacturing/design problem. some owners have already suffered a complete failure of this component. luckily I caught it just in time. after some pushing, mercedes has agreed through the local dealer to cover 50% of my expenses to repair this problem. however I believe they should be responsible for 100% of the expenses because it's a major safety issue and it should be a recall. who would expect a 9 year old mercedes to lose its front suspension on the highway? from what I've heard there already IS a recall campaign in canada, but not in the us.
- Suspension › Front
Right front spring perch mount broke on my 1996 e300d mercedes while beginning to make a right hand turn from a stop sign controlled intersection. vehicle gave no forewarning signs, and had in-fact just been serviced week prior. Mercedes denies any defect, and I had to pay for towing and repair…
Right front spring perch mount broke on my 1996 e300d mercedes while beginning to make a right hand turn from a stop sign controlled intersection. vehicle gave no forewarning signs, and had in-fact just been serviced week prior. Mercedes denies any defect, and I had to pay for towing and repair completely. thank god it did not occur at highway speed! I am now reading that this IS happening to hundreds of mercedes owners, and I just wanted to report my own experience!
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
1996 mercedes-benz stalls out.*mr the consumer stated the vehicle stalled under normal driving conditions. *jb *nlm
- Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner
A/c compressor failed.
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Front suspension coil spring ejection
Odi has focused this investigation on assessing the risks posed by a separated spring as (1) a road hazard and (2) the potential for vehicle control to be compromised after the front coil spring has been ejected from its intended position in the vehicle.both risks are associated with corrosion, flexing, and fracture…
Odi has focused this investigation on assessing the risks posed by a separated spring as (1) a road hazard and (2) the potential for vehicle control to be compromised after the front coil spring has been ejected from its intended position in the vehicle.both risks are associated with corrosion, flexing, and fracture of the upper front suspension mounting bracket.time-in-service failure rates are notably higher in salt belt states since corrosion IS a primary contributor to the failure mode.since a number of incidents have occurred while the vehicle was being operated, odi IS skeptical that owners can always detect the subtle side to side difference in ride height and/or inspect or notice that the upper suspension bracket has been compromised by corrosion.(1) road hazard - although the (approx. 7 lb.) front suspension spring that may be ejected at highway speeds could pose a serious road hazard to pedestrians and other vehicles, the occurrence rate has been low (.03% based on 51 reported incidents occurring and an initial population of 172,781 vehicles after 9 - 12 years of use / exposure) and there are no known injuries, fatalities, or property damage reports due to an ejected spring.also, many of the 51 incidents occurred at low speed or while the vehicle was stopped or parked.(2) vehicle control - vehicle handling and control could be affected by the fracture of the upper suspension mount and/or the associated spring ejection.odi first identified its concern about corrosion in the upper suspension bracket of subject vehicles in 2002, at which time mercedes provided a video that showed that a vehicle could be steered, stopped, and controlled through various maneuvers at high speeds with a front coil spring completely missing from the vehicle. During pe07-021, in addition to reviewing the 2002 video-tape, odi engineers drove an exemplar vehicle with the spring removed and simulated various combinations of steering angles to assess whether there were any possible conditions / displacements in which the separated spring might interfere with the wheels. In a vehicle with the front spring removed, the top of the wheel can lightly contact the bottom area of the wheel fender during high angle turns typically associated with slower speed maneuvers such as city driving. The light tire contact generated an obvious grinding noise and would likely abrade or bend the edge of the fender with continued use.however, the extent of the interference was not sufficient to affect vehicle steering and does not occur at smaller turning angles associated with highway driving.odi has not identified a safety related defect trend at this time.further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.accordingly, this investigation IS closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding that a safety related defect does not exist.the agency reserves the right to take further action if future circumstances warrant.
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
- 10015071Trunk lid opens or closes too quickly while operating with remote trunk lid control button.
- 10010822Consumer shutoff displayed in instrument cluster while driving.
- 601449Updated information to reflect additon of approved tires.
Every Mercedes Benz E Class model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.