Model year record

1996 MERCEDES BENZ SL Class

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 2 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V175000

Visibility

Component
Visibility
Manufacturer
MERCEDES-BENZ USA, INC.
Vehicles affected
28,874
Reported to NHTSA
1996-09-19
Owners notified
1996-11-15

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 risk

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.

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 system: wiring: front underhood1
Engine and engine cooling155,000 mi

The 1997 model has about half 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.