2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 316 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 23 C-Class model years with reports.
Of the 2016 reports, 7 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 8 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints: engine
100 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Feb 13, 2023
PO52E code showed was the code pulled on my 2016 Mercedes c 300 4 matic . My car had 73000 miles on when I bought it and that code was pulled when I bought it . At 73000 miles my car shouldn’t have this problem .
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 10, 2023
A fuel smell can be detected at idle inside the vehicle and around the engine area. A recall for some VIN's of this model in this year was enacted but not this particular model. No visible fuel moisture can be detected. A repair facility stated it might be a faulty clamp on the return fuel line. The recall was for dirt on manufacturing between the fuel injectors/fuel rail. This is a safety / emissions problem that hopefully does not lead into a fire. No warning lights are present. This started about 2 months ago
Engine, Feb 10, 2023
Gas smell inside the cabin. Check engine light on . Took to dealer, stated P052e code came up. Positive crankcase ventilation valve went bad. The dealer says it is a pretty common problem for this vehicle and engine. Quote came back close to $2900 for parts and labor
Engine, Feb 3, 2023
My check engine light came on at about 68,800 miles. The OBD code shows that I need the Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve replaced. The repair for this is approximately $2,300 and requires about six hours of shop labor, and the part costing over $425. I’ve never known a PCV replacement on any vehicle to be more than $60, with the part itself being about $10-$20. Most times, the part can be simply cleaned and replaced. This is very disappointing. Especially given that the engine design, just two years prior, would have been less than $200 for the same repair, with part costing about $60. The vehicle does not show any symptoms of the part being blocked, as indicated in the code. There is no hesitation, loss a power or decline in fuel efficiency. However, the engine light cannot be turned off until the part is replaced. I think that $2300 to replace a part on seven year old car, well under 100,000 miles is indicative of either poor design or predatory. Hopefully, something can been done to address this. Thank you!
Engine, Jan 31, 2023
Crankcase Ventilation Valve malfunction at under 50k. Check engine light is on and I took it into the shop after gas fumes were coming into the car through the ventilation system. I was informed that has been an ongoing issue with Mercedes and I was referred to fill out this document to try and kickstart a recall process. This is a problem that is very costly, and seemingly is happening to most recent models at around the 50k mark. Beyond that is is also a safety hazard as it is causing gas fumes to enter the cabin of the vehicle.
Engine, Jan 23, 2023
code P052E on 71000 miles. The crankcase vent valve replacement.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 15, 2023
MY VEHICLE (2016 C-CLASS 300) HAS A STRONG GAS SMELL WHEN THE VEHICLE IS COLD AND IDLING. SEEMS LIKE IT'S COMMON PROBLEM IN W205 C300 CARS. TAKING TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTICS THERE IS A CLASS ACTION INVESTIGATION: HTTPS://WWW.SAUDERSCHELKOPF.COM/INVESTIGATIONS/AUTOMOTI VE/MERCEDES-C300-AND-GLA250- FUEL -SMELL-CLASS-ACTIONINVESTIGATION/ YOU CAN SEE MULTIPLE PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME FUEL LINES;
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 5, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated he noticed an abnormal fume odor entering through the air vents of the vehicle. The contact self-diagnosed the vehicle as having a fuel leak from the fuel pump. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.
Engine, Jan 4, 2023
CEL on, P052e code for crankcase ventilation/PCV failure. Vehicle has about 55k miles. Extremely common failure on these vehicles at this mileage and expensive/complicated to repair. Will not pass state emissions because of this. Given extensive anecdotal evidence of the pervasiveness of this problem, recall should be issue.
Engine, Dec 20, 2022
2016 MB C300 41000 miles. Check engine light went on. Autozone code reader said p052e positive crankcase ventilationregulation value performance.
Engine, Nov 27, 2022
Cylinder 1 misfire initially, after taking it to an independent shop it was a piston 1 failure and required the small block to be replaced at 80,000 miles with a cost of $7000.
Engine, Nov 22, 2022
The crank case ventilation valve is bad. This part should be easily changed but the dealer wants over $3000. Happened at 62,000 miles.
Engine, Nov 15, 2022
(P052e) positive crankcase ventilation regularly valve
Engine, Oct 12, 2022
Check engine light code P052E
Power train, Engine, Oct 9, 2022
my engine failed at 82k odometer miles . replaced it with a new engine for $10065 . and they said it was fixed and working normal , 2nd engine failed at 111000 miles . and has warranty. they refuse to fix it for a 3rd time ...... this is a common problem with m274 engines. please help us m274 engine owners.... its a very widespread known problem...
Engine, Sep 19, 2022
Crank case to be replaced.
Engine, Sep 12, 2022
At approximately 65K miles, my PCV valve is bad and needs to be replaced at a cost of $1600. I saw lots of customer complaints for the same issue online, I think Mercedes should cover this item under recall.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 25, 2022
Check engine light came in so I took it to a local auto shop. They ran the diagnostics and the code that appeared was P052E(Positive Crankcase Ventilation Regulation Valve Performance).
Engine, Jul 18, 2022
PCV valve causing check engine light to come on. 50,000 miles on vehicle.
Engine, Jul 13, 2022
Engine light was up at around 48700mile, diagnosis reading stated "PCV Regulator Valve Performance"
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jul 12, 2022
This is a plug-in hybrid car and twice in the last two weeks, the car while in motion on the road, has randomly turned off the engine and lost power. The gas pedal is unresponsive and all the alarms on screen flash and I have to coast to a stop. Most recently it was on a busy road and I barely missed being rear-ended. This is an unsafe situation and has happened twice and the only thing which I can do is come to complete stop, turn off the car and restart it and the problem goes away.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 11, 2022
This is a known problem with The Mercedes cars from 2015 through 2018. The Service advisor said this is a know issue with this year, I asked can you do it for free because it is a Merc issue. He said he cannot do it. The cost for this repair is $2500 in Mercedes show room. These should be recalled and repair it for free for the customers.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 30, 2022
Hello, I have 2016 Mercedes Benz c300(W205). Recently I got a Check Engine Light with P052E71. And the solution is to replace the Crankcase Ventilation Valve/Oil Separator, Intake Manifold. These parts are positioned on the right side bottom of the engine. It was a labor intensive work which required to remove multiple parts to gain access to the oil Separator. Considering the Issue Persists from W205 and Mercedes Benz has not done anything to rectify it, the cost is actually burdened upon the customer.
Engine, Jun 23, 2022
P052E emissions code
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jun 10, 2022
While driving the check engine light came on. The inside of the car started to smell like gas. A diagnostic check was performed at the Mercedes dealership and it was determined that there were 2 faults: low boost signal & ME control unit this was due to oil leaking from the crankcase vent line through the engine wiring harness and into the ME (engine module).