Most common 1996 Mercedes-Benz 320 problems
Share of the 14 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mercedes-Benz 320 complaints by model year
Best 320 years: 2002, 1996. Years to avoid: 1998, 1999. Compare all years →
What 1996 Mercedes-Benz 320 owners say
Electrical system
My 1996 Mercedes Benz s320 caught on fire 3/16/08 due to a defective harness wiring that cause burned wires in the console, under the seat, the door panels, damaged the vacuum lines, side view mirror and potentially the control units. Your NHTSA has received hundreds of complaints about this problem with the Mercedes vehicles [early 1990 models]. When I spoke to the customer service agent at Mercedes headquarters two of them denied a problem with wiring catching on fire and two dealerships said that they had not heard of any cases involving faulty wiring. The mechanic that spoke honestly said that there are as many as 30,000 vehicles that have had this problem but Mercedes is in denial and are avoiding a major recall. The problem is known among dealers and mechanics who are trained to repair Mercedes vehicles. …
Car went completed "dead" at stop sign. Could not restart engine. Called mechanic and wires within engine wiring harness had shorted out due to wire insulation cracking and breaking off and shorting with other engine components. Mechanic stripped out wire and spliced it. Stated the wires are in bad shape due to the type of insulation Mercedes used from 1991 to 1997. He stated I should replace the engine wiring harness as it would continue to short out components and would be not only a driving hazard but also a fire hazard.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Mercedes-Benz 320 a good car?
Based on 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1996 320 rates average: 24% fewer complaints than a typical year of the 320 at the same age. It is one of the best 320 years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Mercedes-Benz 320?
The electrical system — 3 complaints, 21% of all complaints for this model year, most often about wiring › interior/under dash. Next are the engine & cooling (2) and body & structure (1).
How many recalls does the 1996 Mercedes-Benz 320 have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1996 Mercedes-Benz 320. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mercedes-Benz 320?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2002 and 1996. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1998 and 1999. See the full Mercedes-Benz 320 years comparison.
At what mileage do 1996 Mercedes-Benz 320 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 109,000 miles; 0% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.