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.
The worst 1996 Mercedes Benz SL Class problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Electrical1
- Engine1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical1
- Engine1
Recalls 2
Visibility
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- Pump operation in the absence of fluid can cause the pump to overheat and cause a vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the headlamp washer pump on these vehicles.
Recall number 96V175000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the engine crankshaft damper-pulley on these vehicles.
Recall number 96V058000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Mercedes Benz SL Class 6
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Mercedes: parktronic intermittently not functioning
- Mercedes: cracking noise from the area of the instrument panel/firewall when cornering, during throttle...
- Mercedes: corrosion protection coatings for brake components and hardware may be damaged and or stripped...
- Mercedes: the limited warranty on the sbc hydraulic unit for models 211, model 219 and models 230 was...
- Ordering process for extended length seat belts
- Updated information to reflect additon of approved tires
What 1996 Mercedes Benz SL Class owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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?????
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Questions about the 1996 Mercedes Benz SL Class
Is the 1996 Mercedes Benz SL Class reliable?
Owners have filed 2 complaints about the 1996 Mercedes Benz SL Class, fewer than a typical SL Class model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Mercedes Benz SL Class?
Electrical system, with 1 complaint. Next is engine (1).
How many recalls does the 1996 Mercedes Benz SL Class have?
2 recalls, covering visibility and engine and engine cooling.
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