The defect
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.
The 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.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT DAMPER-PULLEY ON THESE VEHICLES.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 1996 |
| Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 1996 |
| Mercedes-Benz S-Class | 1996 |
| Mercedes-Benz SL-Class | 1996 |
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 1996 | 6 | 1 |
| Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 1996 | 16 | 1 |
| Mercedes-Benz S-Class | 1996 | 6 | 1 |
| Mercedes-Benz SL-Class | 1996 | 2 | 2 |
Other engine and engine cooling recalls in 1996
7 of the 297 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 1996 concerned the engine and engine cooling; MERCEDES-BENZ USA, INC. filed 61 campaigns in all.
| 96V232000 13 Nov 1996 | FREIGHTLINER CORPORATION |
| 96V115000 1 Jul 1996 | VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC |
| 96V052000 27 Mar 1996 | SPARTAN MOTORS, INC. |
| 96V005000 16 Jan 1996 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 96V006000 11 Jan 1996 | CHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 96V022000 5 Jan 1996 | WESTERN STAR TRUCKS, INC. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 1996