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2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 289 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300, most often about the engine (33% of complaints, typically around 29,000 miles). It is 4th of 17 C300 model years by number of complaints and has 13 recalls.
Most common 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 problems
Engine
94 complaints · 33%Half of these problems showed up before 29,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300. While traveling various speeds, the engine siezed and the vehicle entered into limp home mode. The contact stated that all the warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Mercedes-Benz of tysons corner (8545 leesburg pike, vienna, va 22182), but they were unable…
The contact owned a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300. While driving 15 MPH, a fire erupted from the battery of the vehicle. The contact extinguished the fire and stated that water entered into the engine, which caused the vehicle to hydrolock. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and deemed destroyed. There were no injuries and…
Fuel system
66 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery.
The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that whenever the fuel tank was full, there was a fuel-burning odor coming from the engine and entered the vehicle through the A/C vents. In addition, when the vehicle was cold, the odor was entering the vehicle through the A/C vents. No warning lights…
The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving 45-60 MPH, the vehicle began to stall. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal several times but the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle stalled. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact was able to restart the…
Other or unspecified
65 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 30,000 miles.
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…
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
Electrical
32 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 10,500 miles. Parts named most often: starter assembly.
The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300. When the contact attempted to drive the vehicle, the push start button failed to start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (west palm beach Mercedes-Benz located on 4000 okeechobee, west palm beach, fl). The contact was informed that the correct key was not used…
The contact owns a 2016 mercedes benz C300. The contact stated that while driving in inclement weather, the vehicle became stranded in high standing water and stalled. The contact stated that her siblings were able to push the vehicle out of the high standing water. The contact stated that after three attempts to…
Body and structure
28 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 45,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
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.
The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, an abnormal sound was heard as a section of the glass roof panel detached from the roof of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the missing panel. The cause of the failure was not…
Visibility and wipers
21 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 40,500 miles. Parts named most often: sun/moon roof assembly.
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…
While driving on the highway, I heard a loud noise that, on first impression, LED me to believe someone fired a gunshot at and struck my vehicle. Upon looking up, I immediately noticed it was not a gunshot but instead the glass to the front portion of my panoramic sunroof had spontaneously shattered and flew…
Transmission
18 complaints · 6%When at a red light and the car is idling, all of a sudden the car jerks forward. If the brake is not engaged hard, I have experienced the car feeling like it will lunge forward. This occurs each and every time I am idling at a red light.
Steering
13 complaints · 5%The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated that while driving at various highway speeds, the message "check power steering" was displayed, and the steering wheel became stiff and very difficult to turn in either direction. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was…
The contact owns a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and turning the steering wheel, the contact became aware that the vehicle had lost power steering functionality. The contact drove around for a while before driving back to the garage. The contact turned off and…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 recalls
Body and structure: roof and pillars
Risk: A detached roof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on august 2, 2024. Owner notification letters will be mailed in phases, on, march 22,2024, and august 2, 2024. Owners may contact mbusa customer service at 1-800-367-6372. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 21v-197.
Full defect summary
Mercedes-benz USA, llc (mbusa) is recalling certain 2014-2020 c-class, cla, gla, s-class, glc, and gle vehicles. Please refer to mbusa's recall report for specific vehicle details. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair, allowing the front panel to detach from the vehicle.
Fuel system: injectors
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source, such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel rail and fuel injectors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed april 22, 2022. Owners may contact mbusa customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Mbusa's number for the recall is 2022030003.
Full defect summary
Mercedes-benz USA, llc (mbusa) is recalling certain 2019 amg g63, c300, e300, g550, amg gt63, amg gt53, 2019-2020 a220, gla250, glc300, 2016 c300, 2020 amg a35, amg c43, amg c63, cla250, e350, e450, glb250, gle450, gls450, gls580, s560, and sl550 vehicles equipped with a gasoline engine. During the manufacturing process, particles may have been trapped between the fuel rail and injectors, which can cause a fuel leak.
Body and structure: roof and pillars
Risk: The adhesive bonding of the front panel might deteriorate, possibly causing the front panel to detach from the vehicle and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mercedes-benz dealer will remove the bonded panel and will install a new front panel by following the detailed repair instructions and using the approved primer, cleaner and adhesive, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on september 3, 2021 and october 26, 2021. Owners may contact mbusa customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Full defect summary
Mercedes-benz USA, llc (mbusa) is recalling certain 2017-2020 c300 coupe, c43 coupe amg, c43 amg, 2015-2020 c300, gla250, 2016-2018 c350e, cla45 coupe amg, 2015 c400, s65 amg, 2015-2019 c63 amg, 2016 c450, 2015-2016 gla45 amg, s600, 2016-2020 glc300, 2017-2019 glc43 amg, gle43 coupe amg, 2014-2019 cla250 coupe, 2014-2015 cla45 amg, 2018 glc63 amg, 2014-2017 s550, 2018-2020 s450, 2016-2019 gle63 coupe amg, 2016 gle450 coupe, 2014-2020 s63 amg, 2018-2019 s560, and 2019 glc350e vehicles equipped with a panoramic sunroof. The front roof panel located between the windshield and the panoramic sunroof may not have been bonded correctly to the vehicle during a prior repair.
Infotainment and connectivity: auto crash notification
Risk: Failure of the ecall system may result in emergency responders being dispatched to the wrong location, increasing the risk of injury following a crash.
Fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and the communication module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. The recall began march 12, 2021. Owners may contact mbusa customer service at 1-877-762-8267. Mbusa's number for this recall is 2021020025.
Full defect summary
Mercedes-benz USA, llc (mbusa) is recalling certain 2016 - 2021 cla-class, gla-class, gle-class, gls-class, slc-class, a-class, gt-class, c-class, e-class, s-class, cls-class, sl-class, b-class, glb-class, glc-class, and g-class vehicles. Please refer to the part 573 report for specific vehicle model details. The software design of the communication module may fail to communicate the correct vehicle location for the emergency call system (ecall) in the event of a crash.
Infotainment and connectivity: communication
Risk: An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Mbusa has initiated an over the air (OTA) remote update. Mbusa will also notify owners, and dealers will check software for a successful OTA or update the communication module software as needed, free of charge. The recall began december 23, 2019. Owners may contact mbusa customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Mbusa's number for this recall is 2019120008.
Full defect summary
Mercedes-benz USA, llc. (mbusa) is recalling certain 2013-2017 vehicles due to a software fault that may cause the date and time for the emergency call system (ecall) to differ from the actual date and time, potentially relaying an inaccurate vehicle location. For a full list of the affected models visit: https://static.NHTSA.gov/odi/rcl/2019/rmisc-19v787-4620.pdf
Steering: rack
Risk: A car that cannot be properly steered has an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering rack, free of charge. The recall began august 23, 2019. Owners may contact mbusa customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Mbusa's number for this recall is 2019080012.
Full defect summary
Mercedes-benz USA, llc (mbusa) is recalling certain 2015-2016 mercedes benz c300, 2017-2019 c300 cabrio, c300 coupe, c63 cabrio, 2015 c63s amg, 2018-2019 c300, c350e, c63 amg, c63s amg cabrio, 2018 c63 amg cabrio, c63 amg coupe, c63s amg, c63s amg coupe, e300, e400 cabrio, e400 coupe, 2019 cls450, e450 cabrio, and e450 coupe rear-wheel drive vehicles. A locknut in the steering rack may break under high load, possibly causing the steering to become stuck in one position.
Air bags: frontal
Risk: If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.
Fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will add sufficient grounding to the steering components, free of charge. The recall began in december 6, 2017. Owners may contact mbusa customer service at 1-877-496-3691.
Full defect summary
Mercedes-benz USA, llc. (mbusa) is recalling these vehicles: 2014-2018 cla250, cla250 4matic, cla45 amg 4matic, 2015-2018 gla250, gla250 4matic, gla45 amg 4matic, c300 4matic, c63s amg, 2012-2014 c250, c350, c300 4matic, e550 4matic, 2013-2014 c63 amg, 2012-2015 c250 coupe, c350 coupe, c63 amg coupe, 2013-2015 c350 4matic coupe, glk250 4matic bluetec, glk350, glk350 4matic, 2016-2017 c350e, c43 amg, 2015 c400 4matic, 2016-2018 c63 amg, glc300, glc300 4matic, 2017-2018 c300 coupe, c300 4matic coupe, c43 amg, c63 amg coupe, c63s amg coupe, c300 cabriolet, c300 4matic cabriolet, c43 amg cabriolet, c63 amg cabriolet, c63s amg cabriolet, glc300 4matic coupe, glc43 amg, glc43 amg coupe, 2014 e350 coupe, e350 4matic coupe, e350 cabriolet, e400 hybrid, 2015-2017 e400 coupe, e400 4matic coupe, e400 cabriolet, 2014-2017 e550 coupe, e550 cabriolet, b250e, 2014-2016 e250 bluetec, e63 amg 4matic wago
Steering: electric power assist system
Risk: A loss of electrical contact will cause the electric power steering assist to deactivate, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric power steering rack, free of charge. The recall began june 2017. Owners may contact mbusa customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Full defect summary
Mercedes-benz USA, llc. (mbusa) is recalling certain 2016-2017 c300 vehicles. The electrical contacts for the power steering electric motor may not have been properly welded, possibly resulting in a loss of electrical contact.
Electrical: software
Risk: If the air bags do not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, there would be an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will update software in the affected control units, free of charge. The recall began april 21, 2017. Owners may contact mbusa customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Full defect summary
Mercedes-benz USA, llc (mbusa) is recalling certain 2016 amg gt-s, glc300, cla250 and gle300d 4matic vehicles, 2013 c250, e350 bluetec and g63 amg vehicles, 2008-2014 c300 vehicles, 2013-2014 c300 4matic and ml350 4matic vehicles, 2009 c350 vehicles, 2014 cls550, e350 4matic, e350 coupe 4matic, e350 wagon 4matic, glk350 and sl550 vehicles, 2012 cls550 4matic vehicles, 2012-2016 e350 vehicles, 2016-2017 gl450 4matic vehicles, 2012-2014 ml350 4matic bluetec vehicles, 2015 s550, s550 4matic and c300 4matic sedan vehicles, 2015-2016 c300 sedan vehicles, and 2017 sl63 amg vehicles. Various control units on these vehicles may have been updated with incorrect software, potentially affecting the correct deployment of the air bags in the event of a crash.
Electrical: starter assembly
Risk: If the starting current limiter overheats, the surrounding components can melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional fuse in the electrical line to the starter, free of charge. The recall began august 31, 2017. Owners may contact mbusa customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Mbusa's number for this recall is 2017080002.
Full defect summary
Mercedes-benz USA, llc. (mbusa) is recalling certain 2015-2017 c300 4matic, c300, cla250, cla250 4matic and cla45 amg vehicles, 2017 c300 4matic cabrio, c300 4matic coupe, c300 cabrio, c300 coupe, e300, e300 4matic, e400 4matic wagon, e43 amg 4matic, gla250, gla250 4matic and glc300 4matic coupe vehicles and 2016 c350e and glc300 vehicles and 2016-2017 c450 4matic amg sport and glc300 4matic vehicles. In the event that the engine or transmission cannot turn over, the starting current limiter may overheat from the repeated attempts of the starter motor attempting to start the vehicle.
Stability control: electronic stability control (esc)
Risk: A damaged esp control unit may inadvertently activate the stability control altering the vehicle's path. Additionally, the electronic parking brake may not function. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will replace the esp hydraulic control units, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in october 2016. Owners may contact mbusa customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Full defect summary
Mercedes-benz USA, llc (mbusa) is recalling certain model year 2016 glc 300 SUV, glc 300 4matic SUV, c300 sedan and c300 4matic vehicles manufactured february 8, 2016, to may 18, 2016. The affected vehicles may be equipped with an electronic stability program (esp) control unit that may have been damaged before being installed.
Steering: electric power assist system
Risk: If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the electric power steering control unit, free of charge. The recall began january 2017. Owners may contact mbusa customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Full defect summary
Mercedes-benz USA, llc (mbusa) is recalling certain model year 2016 c300 4matic vehicles manufactured november 4, 2015, to march 1, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the electric power steering assist system may shutdown due to a software error.
Visibility and wipers: sun/moon roof assembly
Risk: If the panoramic glass detaches during vehicle operation, it can increase the risk of injury or crash.
Fix: Mbusa will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the bonding of the rear sunroof glass panel, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on april 12, 2016. Owners may contact mbusa customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Full defect summary
Mercedes-benz USA, llc (mbusa) is recalling certain model year 2016 c300 vehicles manufactured december 11, 2015, to december 23, 2015, c300 4matic vehicles manufactured december 12, 2015, to december 29, 2015, and c450 amg 4matic vehicles manufactured december 12, 2015, to december 22, 2015. The affected vehicles may be equipped with a panoramic sunroof that may not be properly bonded, allowing the glass to detach and fall from the vehicle during operation.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Front roof panel detachment
Summary
On january 8, 2021, after ongoing review with mercedes benz, the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe21-001 to assess allegations of front roof panel detachments while driving at highway speeds in certain 2015 mercedes-benz (mercedes) c-class vehicles.the subject front roof panel is a stationary panel composed of polycarbonate and is attached to the vehicle via adhesive at the time of manufacture. The panel is found on subject vehicles equipped with panoramic sunroofs. Over time, the subject panels may exhibit cosmetic degradation leading to replacement of the panel, a procedure which entails: removal of the old panel and adhe
Questions about the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (94 complaints, typically around 29,000 miles); fuel system (66 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); other or unspecified (65 complaints, typically around 30,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 have?
- 13 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from December 15, 2023 (body and structure). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2016 a bad year for the Mercedes-Benz C300?
- It is 4th of 17 C300 model years by number of complaints, with 289 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.