1996 Mercedes Benz SL Class
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Mercedes Benz › SL Class › 1996
These records cover every 1996 Mercedes Benz SL Class. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
3 recalls name the 1996 Mercedes Benz SL 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.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Pump operation in the absence of fluid can cause the pump to overheat and cause a vehicle fire.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the headlamp washer pump on these vehicles.
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
2 complaints
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Engine and engine cooling
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…
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 with early 1996 V12 equipped automobiles (i was told that my car was manufactured in november 1995). on these early 1996 cars, the generic obdii port does not accurately report the status of the engine system monitors. the proprietary mercedes port reports that all monitors are ready, but the emissions testing facility can not access this without the proprietary mercedes scanner. my understanding IS that all manufactures selling cars in the u.s. Were required to provide a working generic obdii output. in my opinion, mercedes failed to meet this standard with these early 1996 V12 equipped cars and should be required to bring them up to this standard at no expense to the owners. *tr
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
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 warned that it IS a fire hazard. Cost of repair IS estimated at $3100????? *Jb
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.
- 10030964Mercedes: the limited warranty on the sbc hydraulic unit for models 211, model 219 and models 230 was extended from the original 4 years/50,000 miles to 10 years with no mileage limitation. The sbc hydraulic unit extended limited warranty applies to all conditions that justify the replacement of the sbc hydraulic unit under the standard warranty terms and conditions.
- 10030941Mercedes: cracking noise from the area of the instrument panel/firewall when cornering, during throttle lift off and on uneven roads. Stress at the spot welds on the firewall to the right of the brake booster can result in cracking noises. No right hand drive. No model years listed.
- 10030939Mercedes: parktronic intermittently not functioning. The function works again after a short time or distance. When the foot operated parking brake IS applied, the parktronic system IS deactivated. If the foot operated parking brake IS on at the first notch, the contact switch may react with a consideration delay when the parking brake IS released. No model years listed.
- 10030929Mercedes: corrosion protection coatings for brake components and hardware may be damaged and or stripped away if highly concentrated acid based cleaners are used. Once the corrosion protection IS damaged or removed the brake components and or hardware can begin to corrode. Include all models and model years.
- 10007193Ordering process for extended length seat belts.
- 601449Updated information to reflect additon of approved tires.
Every Mercedes Benz SL Class model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.