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
316 reports, newest first.
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 28, 2020
THERE WAS AN ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE THE CABIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, AND THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS AN STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WHEN HE LIFTED THE HOOD AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A MERCEDES DEALER BECAUSE HE WAS NOT CERTIFIED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Dec 10, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE THE CABIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, AND THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL ODOR OF FUEL WHEN HE LIFTED THE HOOD AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A MERCEDES DEALER BECAUSE HE WAS NOT CERTIFIED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED ATLANTA CLASSIC CARS (1705 BOGGS RD NW, DULUTH, GA 30096) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 86,000. ## VIN PASSED ## MERCEDES-BENZ C300 2016 ##
Structure, Nov 26, 2020
FRONT GLASS PANEL ON PANORAMA ROOF DETACHED WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY ON A STRAIGHT SEGMENT AND FLEW OFF. I IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH ADHESION THAT IS USED TO SECURE AND THERE ARE A NUMBER OF MERCEDES MODELS WITH PANORAMA ROOFS OF VARIOUS YEARS ALL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT COST OVER $2000 IN DEALER REPAIR AND REPLACEMENTS.
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 16, 2020
I PURCHASED MY MB C300 USED CERTIFIED AND HAD NOTICED A FUEL SMELL. I SPOKE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS NORMAL WITH MB AND NOTHING TO BE CONCERNED WITH. I HAVE NOW HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT 5 MONTHS AND TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MB DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE SMELL AND THEY SAID IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS MAKE MODEL AND YEAR AND IT IS NOTHING THAT WILL CAUSE HARM.WELL IT IS NOW COLD OUTSIDE AND THE MORE I USE MY HEAT THE MORE THE SMELL COMES.I CAN LITERALLY SMELL GAS IN MY HOUSE FROM THE CAR JUST BEING (NOT ON OR RUNNING) IN MY ATTACHED GARAGE. THIS IS DEFINITELY A HEALTH ISSUE BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE I MAY PASS OUT IF I STAY TOO LONG IN THE CAR WITH THE HEAT ON. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS BESIDES BEING TOLD IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE. IF ITS WIDELY KNOWN WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL ON IT YET. I ALSO DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY MY WARRANTY /EXTENDED WARRANTY DOES NOT APPLY TO THIS
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/wiper, Oct 19, 2020
THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF SLIDING CLIPS ARE PLASTIC AND BREAK. WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD THE ROOF LIFTED WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE IT. THE PLASTIC CLIPS BROKE THAT SECURE THE SLIDE RAIL AND GLASS TOGETHER.
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
Air bags, Apr 19, 2020
I WASN'T SPEEDING BUT I DID HIT MY BRAKES BECAUSE I WAS ABOUT TO MISS MY EXIT AND MY AIR BAG JUST EXPLODED.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 18, 2020
HEARD SOMETHING CRACK AND THE FOUND LATER PLASTIC PIECES OF THE SHOE ON THE RIGHT SIDE ON THE SUNROOF IN THE RAIL OF THE SUNROOF. IT WAS THE RAIL GUIDE SHOE. THE MECHANIC ADVISED ME THE ENTIRE ROOF WOULD NEED TO COME UP, INCLUDING HEADLINER. HE ALSO SAID YOU'D NEED TO REPLACE RAILS, WHICH SOUNDS A BIT MUCH FOR A PLASTIC SHOE. I AGREED, IT'S RIDICULOUS THAT THESE ARE MADE OF PLASTIC. 4 THOUSAND DOLLARS TO FIX IT. I BEEN SEEING A LOT PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM.
Structure, Apr 7, 2020
THE VEHICLE HAS A PANORAMIC SUNROOF AND I HAD OPENED THE ROOF WHILE I WAS PARKED AND WHEN I STARTED DRIVING SOMETHING POPPED AND THE FRONT OF THE SUNROOF LIFTED A LITTLE CAUSING IT TO IT THE BACK GLASS PORTION OF THE PANORAMIC ROOF. I PULLED OVER TO CHECK IT OUT AND SAW THE THE FRONT GUIDES WERE BROKEN/DETATCHED. I HAD TO FIND A WAY TO FORCE THE SUNROOF TO CLOSE. I WAS ONLY GOING AROUND 25 MPH WHEN THE GUIDES GAVE UP. IF I WOULD'VE BEEN GOING FASTER, THE FORCE WOULD HAVE BROKEN THE BACK GLASS.
Steering, Wheels, Apr 4, 2020
I WAS DRIVING THEN THE STARTED BEEN HARD NOW IT'S SAYING POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 19, 2020
THERE IS A VERY STRONG GAS SMELL WHEN THE HEAT AND/OR DEFROSTER IS TURNED ON. THE HIGHER THE HEAT IS TURNED UP'THE HIGHER THE GAS SMELLS. THE SMELL LINGERS WHEN THE CAR IS NOT RUNNING/CUT-OFF. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE STRONG SMELL OF GAS DOES NOT OCCUR WHEN THE AIR IS TURNED ON'IT ONLY SMELLS WHEN THE HEAT IS TURNED ON. IT IS SO STRONG'IT WOULD LITERALLY KNOCK YOU OUT.
Air bags, Mar 13, 2020
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ C250. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V010000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Structure, Mar 10, 2020
AS PER THIS RECALL LISTED 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ C300, C450 AMG 4MATIC RECALLED FOR PANORAMIC SUNROOF DEFECT. I BOUGHT THIS CAR AS A CERTIFIED USED MODEL FROM A MERCEDES DEALERSHIP AND WHILE DRIVING THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF ATTEMPTED TO STAND UP VERTICALLY BUT I QUICKLY CAUGHT IT. I PULLED OVER AND MANAGED TO GET IT TO CLOSE AND LATCH AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER NAMED IN THE REPAIR ESTIMATE. I PROVIDED THEM WITH THE PLASTIC PIECES SHOWN IN THE PICTURE THAT I FOUND BROKEN INSIDE THE FRAME AND THEY WOULD NOT REMEDY THE DEFECT WITHOUT A CHARGE OF OVER $3200 WHICH INCLUDED PARTS THAT ARE NOT MALFUNCTIONING. INSTEAD I WAS SENT BACK OUT WITH THE VEHICLE IN THE SAME CONDITION
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 3, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PARK PLACE MOTORCARS MERCEDES-BENZ GRAPEVINE LOCATED AT (1300 TEXAN TRAIL, GRAPEVINE, TX 76051) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.
Engine, Jan 25, 2020
FUEL SMELL IN CABIN - FUEL LEAK IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FROM DEALER INVOICE: FOUND FUEL LINE LEAKING FROM RUBBER LINE THAT COMES FROM BELL HOUSING FUEL LINE CONNECTOR TO HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP ON ENGINE HEAD.. R AND R BATTERY GROUND.. R AND R BELLY PANELS.. DEPRESSURIZE FUEL SYSTEM.. REPLACED RUBBER FUEL LINE THAT COMES FROM BELL HOUSING FUEL LINE CONNECTOR TO HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP ON ENGINE HEAD.. CLEANED AWAY CONTRAST SPRAY AND TEST DROVE AGAIN,, PROBLEM IS RESOLVED.
Air bags, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 21, 2020
THE CAR HAS A STRONG GAS SMELL INSIDE THE CABIN AFTER FIRST START COLD,AND ALSO SSECOND COLD START. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG ON MESSAGE CONSTANTLY COMES ON.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 10, 2020
FUEL LINE LEAK, SMELLS LIKE GASOLINE WHEN HEATER IS TURNED ON.
Electrical system, Jan 3, 2020
ON FOUR OCCASIONS, THE ELECTRONIC DASHBOARD GOES COMPLETELY BLACK AND WILL STAY THAT WAY FOR QUITE SOMETIME. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE VEHICLE IS 'DOWNLOADING SOFTWARE', BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT ANY WARNING FROM M-B. IT HAPPENS AFTER I PARK IT AND THEN RESTARTED IT.
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 18, 2019
HOSE CLAMPS ATTACHING THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE LEADING FROM THE FIREWALL-MOUNTED FUEL PUMP TO THE CENTRAL FUEL RAIL FAILED TO MAINTAIN A TIGHT CONNECTION. THIS LEADS TO FUEL LEAKING PAST THE HOSE CLAMP CONNECTION INTO THE OPEN ENGINE COMPARTMENT DURING COLD WEATHER (SUB-40 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT) WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. WHEN THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT RISES, EITHER BY ENVIRONMENT OR BY HEAT GENERATED FROM THE ENGINE, THE FUEL LEAK SUBSIDES. SYMPTOMS WHEN THIS OCCURS ARE A VERY STRONG FUEL SMELL IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND ALSO, UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, OBSERVATION OF LIQUID FUEL POOLING ON THE TOP SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT UNDER TRAY. INTERNET RESEARCH ALSO INDICATE THAT THIS IS A FAIRLY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AFFECTING AT LEAST 2015-16 W205 MODEL VEHICLES, AND THAT MULTIPLE MERCEDES-BENZ DEALERSHIPS IN THE UNITED STATES HAVE COMMUNICATED VERBALLY TO OTHER CUSTOMERS THAT THIS IS A "KNOWN ISSUE".
Wheels, Oct 24, 2019
DEFECTIVE 19'' MERCEDES-BENZ AMG ALLOY RIM CRACKED AND CAUSED TIRE PRESSURE FAILURE.
Engine, Aug 29, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE PRODUCED AN ABNORMAL MOLD ODOR, WHICH DISTRACTED THE CONTACT WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF MCKINNEY (2080 N CENTRAL EXPY, MCKINNEY, TX 75069, (844) 302-4009) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT AN AIR CONDITIONING FLUSH WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE ODOR RETURNED THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Air bags, Aug 19, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MERCEDES BENZ C300. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED IN A PARKING LOT AND INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE AT 60 MPH CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE PARKING CURB AND THE VEHICLE THAT WAS PARKED IN FRONT WHICH RESULTED IN THAT VEHICLE DEEMED DESTROYED. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE POLICE WAS PRESENT AND A REPORT WAS ISSUED NUMBER: 7WHQ039TM7NW WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE AND TREATED FOR A FRACTURED RIGHT WRIST AND A FRACTURED LEFT CLAVICLE, HEAD INJURIES, AND NECK INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND MENTIONED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE SOMEONE INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. *DT
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 8, 2019
IN FEBRUARY 2019 THE C300 ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS A BAD CATALYTIC CONVERTOR, AND THE DEALER TOOK THREE DAYS TO REPAIR IT. THREE WEEKS LATER IN MARCH 2019, WHILE DRIVING 25 MILES PER HOUR STRAIGHT ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET THE CAR SHUT OFF WITHOUT A SOUND, ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIT UP, AND THE CAR COASTED TO A STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TRIE TO RESTART THE CAR, THE STARTER MADE NOISE BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. I CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND DID THE THREE TIME LOCK AND UNLOCK ROUTINE, AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. AFTER TOWING THE CAR BACK TO THE SAME DEALER, THEY TOLD ME THE CAR WAS SHOWING NO CODES, THE ISSUE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED AND THE CAR SHOULD BE FINE TO DRIVE AGAIN! I'M NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, AND THE DEALER IS REFUSING TO FIX IT.
Air bags, Feb 13, 2019
TAKATA RECALL - HAVE TWO RECALLS ON THIS AUTOMOBILE. MERCEDES DEALERSHIP SAID THEY CANNOT REPLACE. WHAT ARE OPTIONS. HAVE BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE INVOLVED.