Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1996 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling2
- Equipment1
- Visibility1
- Steering1
- Electrical system1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1996 Mercedes-Benz S-Class failed the safety check 1.80% of the time — 23% more often than the average 1996 passenger car (1.47%). Median odometer at inspection: 112,332 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Engines
The most common engines in 1996 Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars on Dutch roads are the 6.0 petrol (290 kW, 389 hp) and 5.0 petrol (235 kW, 315 hp).
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 6.0 petrol | 290 kW 389 hp | 21 |
| 5.0 petrol | 235 kW 315 hp | 20 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
68 first registered in 1996 are on Dutch roads; 44% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €121,630.
Most common APK defects
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen13
- Band onvoldoende profiel10
- Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm9
- Band beschadigd8
- Ruitenwisserinstallatie geeft onvoldoende zicht8
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld5
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde5
- Richtingaanwijzers kleur wijkt af/niet toegestaan5
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
69 cars built in 1996 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 267 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 118 of these cars first registered in 1996 took their annual MOT test. 76% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 1996 the figure was 65%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 1996 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 11.0% | 16.1% |
| Brakes | 7.6% | 11.5% |
| Suspension | 5.9% | 11.5% |
| Visibility | 5.9% | 6.7% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.1% | 6.8% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 2.5% | 9.7% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
14 of these cars first registered in 1996 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 271,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
10 1996 cars are on the New Zealand register; 100% arrived as used imports, 0% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
1 Transport Canada recall for the 1996 Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
| 1997056 20 Mar 1997 | Brakes On certain vehicles, if the front wheels are turned to full lock, the wheel could contact the brake hose and damage the hose. If the brake hose becomes damaged… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Mercedes-Benz told its dealers about the 1996 Mercedes-Benz S-Class: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 601449 | UPDATED INFORMATION TO REFLECT ADDITON OF APPROVED TIRES. *YC |
| 10136035 | Complaints about poor wiping effect of winshield wiper |
| 10030939 | MERCEDES: 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. *PE |
| 10030929 | MERCEDES: 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. *PE |
| 10014583 | SEAL BETWEEN EXTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR HOUSING AND DOOR. *TT |
| 10007193 | ORDERING PROCESS FOR EXTENDED LENGTH SEAT BELTS. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)