1996 Mercedes-Benz S Class Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 1about this part
- Share
- 17%of 6 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 143,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 1 complaints about the steering of the 1996 Mercedes-Benz S Class, 17% of the 6 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 143,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The contact owns a 1996 mercedes s420. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the power steering suddenly malfunctioned causing the vehicle to steer to the left. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that a connector from the transmission to the electronic control module had failed causing transmission fluid to flood the control module. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The failure mileage was 143,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10586858, filed 2014-05, 143,000 milesSteering: other model years
Other parts of the 1996 Mercedes-Benz S Class
2 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Mercedes-Benz S Class
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology