Model year record

1996 MERCEDES BENZ C Class

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 10 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V058000

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Component
Engine and engine cooling: engine
Manufacturer
MERCEDES-BENZ USA, INC.
Vehicles affected
149
Reported to NHTSA
1996-04-04
Owners notified
1996-04-22

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 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.

Manufacturer remedy

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

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system382,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel182,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition1
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1
Engine and engine cooling1119,293 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1
Equipment1
Fuel system, gasoline1

The 1995 model has about a fifth as many complaints as this one. The 1997 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.