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, 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.
Other or unspecified, Jun 6, 2022
After locking car and walking away, engine starts, lights go on, and car doors become unlocked.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 23, 2022
When I go to put my car in reverse, or drive the gear control is malfunctioning and I’m afraid this can be deadly or cause serious injury.
Other or unspecified, May 8, 2022
I was driving my 2016 MB C300 on a clear sunny day (approx 85 degrees outside) going around 50 mph when out of nowhere my pano sunroof exploded (extremely terrifying sound might I add!)! I never open my sunroof and it did not have any chips or cracks at all so there is no explanation. Almost the entire sunroof shattered! Mind you I was driving on an open road (no trees, overpasses, bridges, etc). No cars in front of me and closest car was around 1/4 behind me. Shards of glass fell on top of me and went all over the interior of my car. I almost drove off the road and could have gotten glass in my eyes! After inspecting, it almost appears as if the glass exploded outwards. This is a major safety concern and needs to be addressed ASAP by Mercedes Benz before someone gets killed!
Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 20, 2022
- CRANK CASE VENT VALVE malfunctioned, it was available for inspection upon request with fee - It made oil burning smell - The problem has been confirmed by a dealer and replaced with an expensive fee - Engine check light was on
Other or unspecified, Apr 1, 2022
Check engine light Crankcase ventilation valve failure Mercedes dealer diagnostic
Other or unspecified, Jan 27, 2022
The system that failed is the rear backup camera. The dash screen becomes black after initiating the car into reverse. The screen also glitches green and other times black. I have also received a “no camera” circle behind my rear backup camera with the 360 degree camera. I cannot use my rear backup camera as designed because of the issue. Even putting the vehicle back in park and then back to reverse does not remove the issue. This has happened on multiple occasions just this week. This started this week in my car. 1/21/2022 was the first time it happened. It has happened every day since and multiple times. I have photos and videos of the issue. The photos are attached to this report of the safety issue. I am unable to upload the video but can send upon request to an email.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Dec 22, 2021
Mercedes-Benz comes with ECO Start/Stop feature. This feature automatically activates when you start the vehicle and have your seat belt fastened with the door closed. When this function is activated, your vehicle’s engine will shut off when you are at a complete stop, like at a stoplight or in standstill traffic. Once it’s time to start moving again, the vehicle’s engine will automatically restart as soon as you lift your foot off the brake. Randomly experiencing an issue with this feature, vehicle will not restart or it will shutdown in the middle of the road, on the busy road or freeway, it is very unsafe or dangerous. In last two years, we experienced this issue for at least 10 times, at least 5 times vehicle was towed to Mercedes Benz service center in Pleasanton, CA. They replaced the battery, starter, relay but issue still exists and service center also do not have any clue on how to resolve this issue. Reported this issue to Mercedes Benz Customer Support but response has not been favorable. I am not the only one facing this issue, several people reported this issue on online blogs, online channels and discussion boards. Mercedes Benz is ignoring the issue and not serious on addressing it. I request NTSB to investigate this issue, it is risky and dangerous. I personally had couple of close calls with other vehicles rear ending, and I am sure others must have found in this situation. Appreciate your help. Thanks, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Other or unspecified, Sep 30, 2021
The part attaching the sunroof to the rails comes off and could cause the sunroof to come detached.
Other or unspecified, Sep 25, 2021
My car's stationary roof panel (part no. 205-780-00-22) that's located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof started to come off while driving. The panel started to flick off and I had to tape it temporarily, so it doesn't fly off when driving. It looks like the adhesive holding the panel gave out on the driver’s side. Panel was previously replaced at Mercedes Benz of Tysons Corner.
Other or unspecified, Sep 4, 2021
while driving on a highway a part of my roof panoramic fell risking my life and other people's life, I then sent an email to Mercedes Benz and they told me that this part is a subject of a recall. I took the car for two days and they told me that the part is not available for the moment and they need to order it from Germany with no ETA but at least 2 weeks. I asked them if I can safely drive without that part and they said it is ok. Yesterday while driving under light rain, water went in the car through the roof and through the missing part place onto the dashboard. And suddenly the panoramic roof opened alone and did not want to close while I was driving on the highway under the rain. I had to leave my car with an open roof. This roof issue is a repercussion of that item subject of the recall in addition to telling me that driving was safe without that part and turned out to be unsafe. I sent Mercedes Benz an email asking to fix all this mess for free and still waiting for an answer! Much appreciated, Ali
Other or unspecified, May 21, 2021
Panoramic sunroof exploded spontaneously while driving. There was no previous warning. Glass shattered onto driver and passenger. The loud sound and glass shattering onto us could have caused self injury or accident to occur. Auto insurance was notified at time of incident. Vehicle was taken to Mercedes benz dealership for repair.
Electrical system, Structure, Other or unspecified, May 21, 2021
The panoramic sunroof does not properly seal to car, allowing the glass to detach and fall from the vehicle during operation and likely to impair the operator during use. Furthermore, without properly sealing the internal cabin is exposed to the environment (i.e. rain, snow, ect.) causing further damage to the internal safety and electrical features.
Other or unspecified, Mar 12, 2021
REAR VIEW CAMERA IS NOT WORKING. FROZEN. I WAS PULLING INTO THE GARAGE. I HAD TO BACK UP SO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND THEN SWITCH TO DRIVE FORWARD AND THE CAMERA FROZE.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Nov 6, 2020
GLASS PIECE IN FRONT OF SUNROOF OF PANORAMA ROOF FLEW DETACHED AND FLEW OFF WHILE DRIVING. I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY ABOUT 80 MILES PER HOUR ON A STRAIGHT STRETCH. IT WAS NOT HIT BY ANYTHING. JUST THE WIND. COST TO REPAIR $2178 AT MB AUTHORIZED DEALER.
Visibility, Other or unspecified, Jul 6, 2020
ON OCTOBER 15, 2019 AND ON JULY 1, 2020 THE GLASS PANEL WHICH IS LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF BLEW OFF THE CAR WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS PIECE OF GLASS DOES NOT MOVE AND BECAME A DANGEROUS PROJECTILE ENDANGERING OTHER VEHICLES. I WOULD GUESS THE GLUE IS NOT BONDING PROPERLY
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jan 8, 2019
IN ADDITION TO A STRONG, NOXIOUS, MOLDY ODOR, VEHICLE'S FRONT WINDSHIELD FOGS OVER SO TOTALLY THAT IT BECOMES DANGEROUS IN HIGHWAY DRIVING. THE HVAC/CLIMATE-CONTROL SYSTEM'S DEFROSTER IS UNABLE TO CLEAR MORE THAN THE BOTTOM FEW INCHES OF THE WINDSHIELD: THE ONLY WAY I CAN SEE THROUGH IT IS TO WIPE AWAY THE FOG WITH MY HAND. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION BUT PERSISTS WHEN IT IS STATIONARY. THIS HAPPENS IN ALMOST ANY WEATHER, BUT ESPECIALLY IF THERE IS MOISTURE IN THE AIR(FOG, RAIN).
Other or unspecified, Nov 2, 2018
I HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR 5-7 MINUTES I WAS GOING DOWN A SLIGHT INCLINE ON A RURAL ROAD AND TOOK A RIGHT HAND TURN. THE DRIVER'S DOOR OPENED AND A RED WARNING LIGHT CAME UP ON THE DASH. I IMMEDIATELY APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP MY VEHICLE AND LOOKED AT THE DOOR. I NOTICED THAT THE DOOR LOCK BUTTON WAS STILL DOWN. I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE DOOR CLOSED. MY SON WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND WITNESSED THIS, WE WERE SHOCKED TO SAY THE LEAST. CARRIAGE HOUSE OF NEW LONDON 488 COLMAN STREET, NEW LONDON CT 06320 PH# 860-447-3361 PICKED UP MY CAR AND RAN DIAGNOSTICS THEY SAID THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. THE INVOICE NUMBER ASSOCIATED WITH THAT SERVICE CALL IS 79121
Other or unspecified, Jul 6, 2018
THE TIRES SUPPLIED ON THIS CAR ARE UNSUITABLE FOR INTENDED USE. LOW PROFILE TIRES ARE EASILY DAMAGED BY POTHOLES (WE LIVE IN CHICAGO) AND WITHOUT CONSTANT INSPECTION FOR "BUBBLES" PRESENT A HAZARD. THIS CAR IS TWO YEARS OLD WITH 8800 MILES ON IT AND IS ON IT'S 4TH FRONT TIRE. IN AS THIS IS HOW THE CAR COMES, AND THE DEALER AS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THEY HAVE CLEARLY SOLD TIRES THAT ARE IN THE LONG RUN NOT SAFE.
Other or unspecified, Nov 21, 2017
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH AND THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF ON MY MERCEDES C300 EXPLODED. I SAY "EXPLODED" BECAUSE NOTHING STRUCK THE GLASS AND MOST OF THE GLASS BLEW OUT AND OFF THE CAR, NOT IN. THE SUNROOF WAS CLOSED AT THE TIME, SO THERE WAS NO WIND PRESSURE. AFTER I STOPPED, YOU CAN EVEN SEE WHERE THE GLASS REMAINING IS STICKING UP, NOT DOWN. THE SHADE WAS OPEN SO GLASS DID FALL INTO MY CAR, CUTTING MY ARM. IF KIDS OR OTHERS WERE IN THE CAR, IT WOULD LIKELY HAVE CUT THEM OR COULD HAVE RESULTED IN GLASS DUST IN THEIR EYES, ETC. IT ALSO COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT BY SCARING ME BUT ALSO SINCE MUCH OF IT BLEW OFF MY CAR, IT PUT THE CARS BEHIND ME IN DANGER AND COULD HAVE CAUSED THEM TO CRASH. MERCEDES HAS NOT TAKEN RESPONSIBILITY OF THIS YET, BUT I HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO THEIR ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY A LITTLE OVER 1 YEAR OLD AND ONLY ABOUT 17,000 MILES ON IT. NO WAY SHOULD THIS HAVE HAPPENED. I HAVE MORE PICTURES, IF YOU WANT THEM.
Other or unspecified, Aug 1, 2017
BACK PANEL OF PANORAMA SUN ROOF CRACKED AND SHATTERED WHILE PULLING INTO OUR DRIVEWAY. BODY SHOP INDICATED RAILINGS HOLDING THE TEMPERED GLASS IN PLACE SHIFTED FOR SOME REASON. MERCEDES REFUSES TO REPAIR EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS ONLY SEVEN MONTHS OLD. DEFECT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. FORTUNATELY, INCIDENT HAPPENED IN OUR DRIVEWAY.
Other or unspecified, Mar 4, 2017
WHEN TRAVELING AT SPEED OVER 65 , CAR WILL BEGIN SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND HESITATION OCCURS. THIS IS ERRATIC-3 INSTANCES. TERRIFYING! ANOTHER PROBLEM -STARTED CAR BEGAN HESITATING ,UNABLE TO GO OVER 30MPH AND SMELLED A BURNING ODOR. COULD NOT DRIVE CAR.THE CAR HAS BEEN CHECKED BY DEALER TWICE-NOTHING FOUND.
Wheels, Other or unspecified, Jun 10, 2016
SINCE THE PURCHASE OF OUR 2016 MERCEDES IN DECEMBER OF 2015, WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE WARNING DISPLAY OF THE TIRE PRESSURE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE PRIOR TO TAKING IT TO A DEALERSHIP MY WIFE TOOK IT A LOCAL TIRE SHOP WHERE THE OWNER PUT AIR IN THE TIRES AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF. IT OCCURRED SEVERAL MORE TIMES AND I ALWAYS WENT TO LOCAL GAS STATIONS AND PUT AIR IN. AFTER GETTING FRUSTRATED WE DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP IN VALENCIA CALIFORNIA SHOWED THE SERVICE ATTENDANT THE ALERT ON THE DASH. HE RETRIEVED AN AIR PUMP AND PUT AIR IN ALL THE TIRES ACCORDING TO THE SPECS AND SENT US ON OUR WAY WITHOUT DISCUSSING THE WARNING ALERT WHICH WENT OFF. AFTER APPX A WEEK AND A HALF OF DRIVING WE RETURNED WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.. MY WIFE SPENT 4 HOURS WAITING AND ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE RECEIPT THEY SAID THE TIRES WERE ROTATED AT THE CLIENT'S REQUEST AND NEVER MENTIONED THE ALERT ON THE DASH BEING REPORTED BY THE OWNER. WE HAVE TAKEN IT A COUPLE OF MORE TIMES ONE OF WHICH THE CHECKED AND SUBMERGED ALL THE TIRES TO CHECK FOR LEAKS AND RIM DAMAGE WHICH THEY ALL CHECK OUT PROBLEM FREE. AND AS USUAL THE ALERT CAME BACK ON AFTER APPX. A WEEK AND A HALF OF DRIVING. TODAY THE ALERT IS BACK ON WITH ANOTHER RED WARNING SIGN AND WE ARE GOING TO DRIVE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP IN VALENCIA TOMORROW SINCE THEY WILL NOT SEND A TOW SERVICE OUT WHEN THE OWNER'S MANUAL CLEARLY STATES "IN DANGER OF AN ACCIDENT PULL OVER AND DO NOT DRIVE". THIS IS THE SECOND RED LIGHT WARNING ON THE VEHICLE AND IT APPEARS THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. ON THE FIRST OCCASION WHEN THE RED LIGHT CAME ON WE WERE INSTRUCTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN REGARDLESS OF THE RED LIGHT WARNING. I CONTACTED THE MERCEDES BENZ USA COMPLAINT DEPARTMENT THIS MORNING AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE DEPT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS INSTRUCTED ME TO FOLLOW THE ARBITRATION GUIDELINES IN THE BACK OF THE MANUAL.