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: other or unspecified
73 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Nov 13, 2023
Ac/heater smells like mold/musty/mildew inside the cabin. Took for the extended warranty but will not honor unless you have proof of cabin filters purchased every year. This is their way of finding a loop of not fixing the issue.
Other or unspecified, Oct 29, 2023
My panoramic sunroof has an extreme amount wind coming through it while driving 40 miles per hour . I can also hear my panoramic sunroof sliding back and forth . I’m terrified that that it will fly off while driving and cause a road hazard .
Other or unspecified, Oct 26, 2023
Engine light with code P052E
Other or unspecified, Oct 9, 2023
In the past few months while driving this car in the Washington DC metro area at normal road speed, the car has suddenly and unexpectedly lost driver power. Each time, I have pushed down on the gas pedal, and after some hesitation the car has moved forward, and then continued to operate normally. This has happened three times in the past 3-4 months.
Other or unspecified, Sep 27, 2023
Had to have crankcase ventilation system replacement at 74k miles. $2,032.98 to replace. Did get a check engine light.
Other or unspecified, Aug 13, 2023
My check engine light popped on with code p052E for the Positive Crankcase Ventilation Regulator Valve Performance.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Aug 10, 2023
Check engine light comes up. The crankcase ventilation has to be replaced. This is a well known defect in design by Mercedes Benz and there are hundreds of people who have had to replaced the crank case costing thousands of dollar to only have it happen again due to its faulty design. It’s well documented all over the Internet.
Other or unspecified, Jul 18, 2023
The code P052E reads at only 49.000 miles....Mercedes wants $3000.00 to repait ir (replace PCV valve ). Car runs and drives normally....its probably a faulty sensor. I have seen a lot of posts with owners havins same issue.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jul 9, 2023
The small plastic located inside the sliding panoramic sunroof explode and the Panasonic sunroof can be open/close or up/down normally but when I hit close it will stop where the broken pieces was and the roof will automatically move back to the fully open position Dealer said need the rail replaced -2057800175 -2057800275 Motor is broken, need to be replaced , he said after saying the roof can go forward and backward, up and down but can’t close completely. I was gullible to believe what the technician and sale guy said. Technically technician can check the voltage and say it for sure if it is broken. Also, a technician already knew that the sliding rail is damaged. He jumped to the conclusion that motor is broken because of sunburn. I have asked my nephew what he would do in this situation. He innocently said he would replace new sliding rails first and try to run if the “alleged motor “ is really broken. If it is broken, he can just switch to a new motor before testing to confirm it working. He wouldn’t decide to buy a new motor that cost $1,400 extra while the old one might be working properly. Anyway, labor with rails and “motor” cost $3500. Then later I learn I’m not alone. How many affected from this defective parts that Mercedes doesn’t sell it separately. Owner must buy 2 set of rails- a left set and a right set. Cost $1100 total. So since the number of affected are pretty high, a few factory in China and turkey decides to produce these little and sell it online for $15-92, glue and lubricants included. -number of owners struggling to find parts https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w205/734208-pano-roof-failure-2.html Parts that Mercedes cannot sell it separately so owners have to buy 2 sets left set and right set rails. “Try words like repair sunroof kit for Mercedes “ on eBay only a few couple thousand people buying it in 2022 alone. https://www.ebay.com/p/28019877104 Motor broken? https://c.xtime.com/tvyUiiMwuwoA2L8JXX#/completePage
Other or unspecified, May 27, 2023
I was driving on the local freeway and the strip of glass between the windshield and the sunroof flew off and landed on the pavement behind me. Thankfully the car behind me was far enough away that it didn't hit it--but it could have if it had been. If that had happened I shudder to think what the result would have been. The risk is to those behind me--not to me. The only indication that there was a problem before the event was only a few seconds before the piece flew off when it started to become unattached and the noise from the wind catching it raised my concern. I took the car to Mercedes and had to pay $2300 to have the piece replaced.
Other or unspecified, May 16, 2023
I bought my 2016 merecedes Benz c 300 4 matic with an engine light on . I took it the dealership and is the positive crankshaft failed . The crankshaft could reduce power on car . At 73000 mile the crankshaft should have not failed .
Other or unspecified, Lane departure, Mar 25, 2023, crash
This car is currently stolen out of bishopville south Carolina.
Other or unspecified, Jan 2, 2023
PCV regulator valve
Structure, Other or unspecified, Nov 15, 2022
the Burl wood trim panel on the interior doors are deteriorating , the drivers side panel is deteriorating to the point that it looks like acid is eating away at the material there is red markings showing .. i find this could be a safety hazard as it could eat away at the door itself. i have pictures of evidence. there was a recall on Mercedes E class during the same years i purchased my car, my car is the C-class which was not part of the recall, but falls into the same category as time frame of purchase. Mercedes told me to contact you. i look forward to your response as this is a safety concern thank you
Other or unspecified, Oct 21, 2022
P052e positive crankcase ventilation
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Oct 17, 2022
Crankcase ventillation valve assembly needs replacement
Other or unspecified, Oct 8, 2022
I took my 2016 Benz through a car wash and realized the glass in front of my sunroof that is part of windshield is loose . I can hear wind coming through when I drive . This is driving hazard .
Other or unspecified, Oct 3, 2022
I bought my 2016 merecedes benz c300 4 matic with the engine light on .when I did a diagnostic on it came back to a po52e is bad . It had 73000 on it when I bought . Now I sit at 77000 miles with the bad part .
Other or unspecified, Sep 23, 2022
Crank case ventilation system malfunction
Other or unspecified, Aug 16, 2022
The check engine light came on. I pulled the code and it was P052E, and requires the replacement of the crankcase ventilation system. I am told that this happens on virtually all C300s and (and maybe the GLC300 also). I think this should be recalled.
Other or unspecified, Jul 26, 2022
CEL light- with code P052e positive crankcase ventilation regularly valve. Vehicle only has 62,000 miles
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).
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 22, 2022, crash
I was moving my car from one parking space to another space in front of my house. As I was pulling into the new space, I stopped to check the position of my car. As I lifted my foot off the brake, the car unexpectedly started to lurch forward. When I released the brake pedal, the car suddenly accelerated and proceeded to jump the curb and run into the front of my house. Luckily, no one was injured. There was some damage to the exterior of my house. I have reported this issue to the car manufacturer, Mercedes Benz. In response, they have opened a case to research it further.
Other or unspecified, Jul 12, 2022
Check Engine light came on. Upon running the scan from three different reputed repair shops, they show same P052e Positive Crankcase ventilation valve replace message. It first came two months back, reset the code but it still came up.
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.