Mercedes Benz Sl Class 1996

Model Sl Class made in 1996 by Mercedes Benz got 2 consumer complains there are 3 recalls as well as 19 service bulletins. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to electrical system, engine and engine cooling. Technical service bulletines regarding digital instrument panel, parking brake and seat belts. There were some recalls concerningengine and engine cooling, exterior lighting and visibility.

Model 1996

Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
96V058000MERCEDES-BENZ USA, INC. V (Vehicle)14904/22/1996MFRMERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.04/04/199604/17/1996
Defect SummaryThe 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.
Consequence SummaryLoss 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.
Corrective SummaryDealers will replace the engine crankshaft damper-pulley on these vehicles.
NotesSystem: engine; pulley; crankshaft.vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with 6-cylinder engines. note: owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time, should contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372. also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
09E012000SABERSPORT E (Equipment)1627005/11/2009OVSCMERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.04/07/200904/07/2009571108
Defect SummarySabersport 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 the required amber side reflectors.
Consequence SummaryDecreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Corrective SummarySabersport 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.
NotesThis recall only pertains to aftermarket replacement equipment and has no relation to any original equipment installed on vehicles produced by the vehicle manufacturer.in order to determine if your aftermarket lamp assembly is affected by this noncompliance, please review the list of model numbers provided to us by sabersport.the list can be found under document search located at the bottom of your screen.owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov .
VISIBILITY
96V175000MERCEDES-BENZ USA, INC. V (Vehicle)2887411/15/1996MFRMERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC.09/19/199609/26/1996
Defect SummaryIf 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.
Consequence SummaryPump operation in the absence of fluid can cause the pump to overheat and cause a vehicle fire.
Corrective SummaryDealers will replace the headlamp washer pump on these vehicles.
NotesOwner notification:owner notification began november 18, 1996. note:owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact mercedes-benz at 1-800-367-6372.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
DIGITAL INSTRUMENT PANEL
SB-P-04712407/06/200910030941Mercedes: 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 noises12/23/2009
PARKING BRAKE
SB-P-04752707/31/200910030939Mercedes: 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 o12/23/2009
SEAT BELTS - FRONT
914031B09/01/2004914031C10007193Ordering process for extended length seat belts. *tt06/03/2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
SB-09093006/05/200910030964Mercedes: 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 warranty12/29/2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
SB-09093006/05/200910030964Mercedes: 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 warranty12/29/2009
TSB-42-10-10906/15/200910030929Mercedes: 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 an12/22/2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE
TSB-42-10-10906/15/200910030929Mercedes: 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 an12/22/2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC
TSB-42-10-10906/15/200910030929Mercedes: 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 an12/22/2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - CALIPER
TSB-42-10-10906/15/200910030929Mercedes: 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 an12/22/2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - PADS
TSB-42-10-10906/15/200910030929Mercedes: 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 an12/22/2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - ROTOR
TSB-42-10-10906/15/200910030929Mercedes: 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 an12/22/2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DRUM
TSB-42-10-10906/15/200910030929Mercedes: 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 an12/22/2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DRUM - DRUM
TSB-42-10-10906/15/200910030929Mercedes: 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 an12/22/2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DRUM - SHOES/LININGS
TSB-42-10-10906/15/200910030929Mercedes: 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 an12/22/2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DRUM - WHEEL CYLINDERS
TSB-42-10-10906/15/200910030929Mercedes: 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 an12/22/2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TSB-42-10-10906/15/200910030929Mercedes: 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 an12/22/2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - MASTER CYLINDER
TSB-42-10-10906/15/200910030929Mercedes: 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 an12/22/2009
TIRES
PSIMBNA4020M06/01/1998601449Updated information to reflect additon of approved tires. *yc08/04/1998
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
SB-09093006/05/200910030964Mercedes: 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 warranty12/29/2009

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - FRONT UNDERHOOD
08/01/20071
 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
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
07/02/2008550001
 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