IF ONE OF THE HEADLAMP WIPER ARMS BECOMES MISALIGNED, THE WIPER BALDE CAN LODGE IN THE GROOVE UNDER THE

Sep 19, 1996 — Recall Campaign #96V175000

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.

The recall was influenced by the manufacturer with about 28,874 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

96V175000

Manufacturer:	Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Recall date:	September 19, 1996
NHTSA Campaign #:	96V175000
Units affected:	28,874

Description:: 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.
Consequeces:: PUMP OPERATION IN THE ABSENCE OF FLUID CAN CAUSE THE PUMP TO OVERHEAT AND CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.
Corrective action:: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLAMP WASHER PUMP ON THESE VEHICLES.
Notes:: OWNER 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.

Affects the following:

1993 MERCEDES BENZ 300SD Complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MERCEDES-BENZ 300SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSULATION HAD EXPOSED AND BURNT WIRES. THE CONTACT CALLED ARLINGTON MERCEDES-BENZ (585 N GLEBE RD, ARLINGTON, VA 22203, (703) 525-2100) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY NO LONGER HAD PARTS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,172.;
1994 MERCEDES BENZ 320 Complaints
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
1994 MERCEDES BENZ 500 Complaints
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHILE MY CAR (1994 MERCEDES S500)STARTED TO SMOKE A GREAT DEAL. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF I WAS STRANDED FOR 6 HOURS UNTIL I COULD GET A TOW TRUCK. AFTER SPENDING $2000.00 DOLLARS TO GET FIXED IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT THE PROBLEM THAT CAUSED ALL OF THIS TO HAPPEN WAS AN ENGINE WIRING HARNESS AND I WOULD NEED ANOTHER. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE FROM SHOP BUT CAR CUT OFF IN TRAFFIC. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT HOME. I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND LOOK AT THIS: HTTP://USERS.ADELPHIA.NET/~INFOAGE1/COMPLAINTS_NHTSA_MERCEDES_WIRING_HARNESS_FAILURES_1991_1996.HTML I AM OUTRAGED! THIS IS CAUSING MANY PEOPLE AND CHILDREN TO BE PUT IN LIFE OR DEATH SITUATIONS WITHOUT ANY ANSWER OR HELP FROM YOU ALL. DO NOT WAIT TILL SOMEBODY DIES BECAUSE IT WILL HAPPEN. YOU HAVE THE EVIDENCE YOU NEED! I TRIED CONTACTING MERCEDES AND THEY WERE AS WORTHLESS AS THEIR FAULTY PRODUCT. *TR;
1994 MERCEDES BENZ 600 Complaints
DETERIORATED INSULATION ON ETA HARNESS AND STATING HARNESS CAUSED ELECTRICAL SHORT. VEHICLE TO STALLED ON THE BUSY ROAD. MAIN ELECTRICAL HARNESS AND ONE OF THE ETA'S HAS BEEN ALREADY REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE SAME INSULATION ISSUE. *TR;
1996 MERCEDES BENZ SL CLASS Complaints
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;