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.
Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Seats, Feb 8, 2024
When starting car you can smell gasoline the smell stays while driving
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 24, 2024
Power Train System - P052E Positive Crankcase Ventilation Regulator Valve Indicates a fault in the Positive Crankcase Ventilation Regulator Valve. I repaired my car for the same issue in 2019 January and it failed again in 2024 January. It costs $2000 to repair and it has a warranty of two. It failed after 3 years. Same issue is occurring in Mercedes C300 and GLC 300 and multiple times. But company isnt taking any responsibility to fix the issue or at least extend the warranty. 1. Incident 1 - Jan 2019, Miles 28k 2. Incident 2 - Jan 2024, Miles 61k
Structure, Lane departure, Forward collision avoidance, Jan 18, 2024
The panoramic sunroof gets stuck on passenger side, and came off the rail on the passenger side as i was driving on the freeway
Engine, Jan 3, 2024
My coils are faulty and needing to be replaced, but not part of the existing recall for C63s coils. On the message forums for C63s I’ve come across a lot of owners that are having issues not being part of the recall. Campaign No. 2017060008.
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Dec 18, 2023
While driving past, close proximity or even going 30-40mph on a local road or even 60-70 on a highway the break assist function will repeatedly beep, and most times it will stop my car for me. This occurs also, when there are no cars near me! It’s very sudden, and unpredictable. on more occasions than few, if i’m driving in the middle of a 3- lane road, and cars are stopping in the far right lane, or making a turn my break assist will malfunction and automatically break. Multiple occasions I feared that a car may rear-end me. It happens alot. Very scary. This has been occurring for more than 2 years.
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 8, 2023
Mercedes Benz Selma, Texas Dearlership refuses to service known issue with fuel system leaks on C300 because they cannot reproduce problem. Problem is that don't have the correct environment to test for this know problem. “There is a short rubber fuel line/hose in the engine compartment that is attached with compression clamps; the hose connects the fuel line from the gas tank to the high pressure fuel pump. When it gets cold outside (below ~40 degrees Fahrenheit) the clamps loosen a bit and the hose will leak gas. This is what you will smell in the cabin. Once it gets warmer outside or the engine bay warms up, the smell will tend to go away. No clue how they've gone all this time without a safety recall, but I did make a report to the NHTSB last month when it started happening to me.” The fix is to have the rubber line w/clamps replaced. If you still have warranty the dealer can take care of it. (Provided they are configured to test for this defect properly which they are not. Bottom line, fuel leaks in garages like mine with a gas water heater are a BIG issue. I alerted the dealership that they and MB would be liable if something were to happen since they refused to repair vehicle.
Engine, Dec 2, 2023
Pcv valve broke and it emits all sorts of poisonous gases to the cabin!
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.
Engine, Nov 1, 2023
Mercedes C300 4Matic Engine light off. The diagnostic tool showed P052E error, which seems like a common problem with MB C300 models built from 2015. Is there a manufacturer recall for this issue? This warning came a few weeks ago and disappeared by itself shortly. It came again.
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.
Engine, Oct 5, 2023
Engine code P052E has come on at 60k miles. After researching the problems this is a very common problem with the 2016 c300 that mercedes refuses to address. To add insult to injury the part needed to be replaced is a sensor worth 100 dollars but mercedes charges over $2500 because you need specialty tools to get to it. This is a very common problem with owners around 40-80k miles and has no cause other than faulty parts on Mercedes end.
Engine, Oct 1, 2023
My mercedes c300 Check engine light came on for P052e positive crankcase ventilation and after doing research, this sounds like a common problem for this car / model
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.
Electrical system, Engine, Sep 22, 2023
Had an oil change at a Mercedes dealership after driving for a couple hours. Check engine was on for a code P052E, being crankcase ventilation system. Had the car diagnosed, cost to repair 1,600 dollars. Went through with repair, the code pop up again (P052E). Having to bring vehicle constantly to Mercedes dealerships.
Engine, Sep 21, 2023
P052E - PCV Regulator Valve Performance: Actuator Stuck P06DA - Engine Oil Pressure Control Circuit/Open no sub type information My understanding is these are common issues and Mercedes and anyone who works on them know it is a common issue for all lines. I also have a broken sunroof that seems to be common on all lines. There are some recalls out for the sunroof but not for the C-Class C300, although all of the videos I have found match the same issues that were recalled on other models. The dealer confirmed these are known issues.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 19, 2023
Engine light on smells gas constantly tried to change oil that did not work light came back on
Service brakes, Sep 14, 2023
i have been noticing a hissing sound coming from the brake paddle for almost 3 weeks. upon some online research i found out it could be a brake booster and there was a recall for the same car brand due to issues with brake booster in past but not included year 2016. vehicle not inspected yet.
Engine, Sep 7, 2023
CRANKCASE VENTILATION- code: P052E came up and I had just bought from the dealership with 87k miles
Power train, Sep 4, 2023
Started smelling gas then check engine light came on took it to mercedes they did diagnostic which said low boost and that I needed to replace the turbocharger at a cost of over $7000
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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 29, 2023
It is such a common issue reported by many 2016 c300 owner who experienced error code p052e bad Pve valve. My car only has 40,000 miles. I think the manufacture should be responsible for a recall. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine, Jul 18, 2023
PVC valve replacement Engine light off and on Started about 3 months ago