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.
Other or unspecified, Jun 6, 2022
After locking car and walking away, engine starts, lights go on, and car doors become unlocked.
Engine, May 25, 2022
Failure in the performance of the Crankcase Ventilation Regulator valve, research online indicates this is a very common issue especially in w205s. Mercedes has omitted this from their gasoline powered, emissions control warranty, but is listed under the BLUtech/ Diesel warranty. The car will fail the emissions test, and Mercedes Models have a recurring problem with this part which is charged out of pocket once vehicle warranty is up.
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!
Engine, May 6, 2022
Check engine light and error code P052E - Positive Crankcase Ventilation regulator Valve Performance. Within a year of having the same error code repaired using warranty, I'm again getting the same error code. This is a very expensive repair costing upwards of $2000 as per dealer and I'm having to do this repair again. This should be some kind of manufacturing defect and needs to be recalled.
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
Structure, Apr 20, 2022
exterior fixed front roof panel cracking and causes potential roadway dangerous situation if pulls off roof while driving
Engine, Apr 5, 2022
The vehicle lost power on the Freeway, coasted the off-ramp, and came to a stop, the dealership after describing the issue said that it sounded like a bad piston. Said they have had a couple come in with the same problem. Their diagnosis was a bad piston a day later. The mileage is less than 50,000 miles and the car was driven daily to work 4 miles each way. There were no warnings or symptoms of failure prior to happening. The warranty on the vehicle has expired on 7/1/2021
Visibility, Apr 4, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated the sunroof failed to close and was stuck open. The vehicle was taken to dealer and was diagnosed that the sunroof rail, motor and rods needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated while driving at 15-20 MPH, she noticed that the sunroof was lifting up. The contact decreased her speed to 10-15 MPH and moved to the shoulder of the road. The contact stated that sunroof flew off and landed on the ground. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle would be repaired at her own expense. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000. The VIN was not available.
Other or unspecified, Apr 1, 2022
Check engine light Crankcase ventilation valve failure Mercedes dealer diagnostic
Structure, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 16, 2022
Gas smell while driving.Not reported
Engine, Mar 6, 2022
Around the 58,000 mile mark my check engine light on my 2016 Mercedes C300 4MATIC came on . I checked the gas cap, as that can set off the check engine light, and the check engine light went off the next day. 3 days later the check engine light comes on again, so I repeated the steps of taking the gas cap off and putting back on. The light did not go off the next day. 5 days later the light goes off again. This happened several times over a span of 2-3 weeks. I then take my car to be checked with an OBD-II Scanner. It read off every time the check engine light had been on, which was several times. The error code the scanner displayed was "P052E" and a description of "Positive Crankcase Ventilation Regulator Valve Performance". It was the same code multiple times. At this point I did a little research to see if this was something I could repair. While researching the issue, I found that case after case of the very same issue was being reported by owners of cars like mine. I then came across a post that said they had reported the issue to NHTSA and was told that it was such a widespread issue that if "A few more cars are reported to have this issue then a recall would potentially be issued because of the amount of cars that are having the exact same issue at very similar mileages, and it is a very expensive repair. I just feel that this is too common of a problem by the same cars, at the same mileages from the same Manufacturer.
Engine, Feb 27, 2022
P052e positive crankcase ventilation
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 7, 2022
Fuel leak from fuel lines from high pressure fuel pump. This is a common problem for C300s from 2015 to 2019, especially in cold weather. Fumes in cabin and fire risk in engine compartment.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 3, 2022
My vehicle: (1) smells of gasoline through the vents. The smell of gasoline is SO STRONG that I have had to pull over and get out of the vehicle. My car has 104,000 miles on it. Not a lot of miles for a 2016. There are NO warning lights on indicating a problem with the vehicle. (2) The silver trim/coating that covers the window buttons and around the entire dashboard has bubbled overnight and is flaking off. It constantly cuts fingers and arms. (3) Approximately 5 months ago the headliner in the car started buckling.
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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 24, 2022
With cold weather most w205 Mercedes, and specifically the one I have which is a C300 2016 starts having a strong Gas smell when I start the car at cold, and with the cold weather, the smell is getting stronger. There is already a class action going on in a different state concerning that issue, and it is probably a major and safety concern issue in those cars as a hose is a leaking fuel whenever the weather is cold. I ried with the dealership and they said no recall or anything for that issue yet.
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).
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 19, 2021
2016 MB 300 C, AWD at 87000 miles started giving gas fuel smell when parked in our garage after driving. I took to a local Foreign Car Repair facility and they found a fuel leak at the fuel injector pump. The mechanic changed the Fuel Injector Pump (Bosch) at a total cost of $745.31. Since the change in the pump, the smell has stopped and I feel safe. Who is responsible to reimburse this cost to me?
Engine, Nov 8, 2021
Car lost all throtle on the highway, and when pressed on gas pedal nothing would happen. A death trap. it was very dangerous and car behind me almost hit me. Happened many times and the dealer could not fix it. Car just went out of warranty couple months ago
Steering, Oct 3, 2021
Steering wheel will not adjust up and down, only in and out, Not correct position for driving safely.
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.
Structure, Sep 23, 2021
Panoramic Sunroof deterioration, which caused the sunroof to get stuck due to fragments in the sliding area. Sunroof unstable. Unable to ride with it open and makes a whistling sound when closed.
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