repaired · 2025 Q4
Body: roof and pillars
Risk. A detached roof panel can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
2016 Mercedes-Benz C300Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 292 owner complaints about the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300, most often about the engine. It is covered by 13 safety recalls, and for recall 23V-854 the manufacturer reports only 41% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 7, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 has problems
292 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
94Engine2 crash/fire/injury
58Fuel/propulsion system1 crash/fire/injury
32Electrical system6 crash/fire/injury
29Structure3 crash/fire/injury
18Power train
13Steering
12Visibility
9Visibility/wiper
9Fuel system, gasoline
3712 other systems9 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 94 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 58 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 32 | 6 |
| Structure | 29 | 3 |
| Power train | 18 | 0 |
| Steering | 13 | 2 |
| Visibility | 12 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 9 | 1 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 9 | 0 |
| 12 other systems | 37 | 9 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
13 recalls
2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2024 Q1
Fuel injection system: fuel rail
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.
repaired · 2023 Q3
Body: 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…
repaired · 2023 Q4
Communication: 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.
Show 9 more recalls
repaired · 2021 Q1
Communication
Risk. An inaccurate vehicle location may delay emergency responders, increasing the risk of injury.
repaired · 2022 Q2
Rack and pinion: rack
Risk. A car that cannot be properly steered has an increased risk of a crash.
repaired · 2019 Q4
Air bags: frontal
Risk. If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.
repaired · 2018 Q3
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.
repaired · 2018 Q3
Frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
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.
repaired · 2018 Q4
Electrical system: starter assembly
Risk. If the starting current limiter overheats, the surrounding components can melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
repaired · 2018 Q1
Electronic stability control (ESC)
Risk. A damaged ESP control unit may inadvertently activate the stability control altering the vehicle's path.
repaired · 2018 Q1
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.
repaired · 2017 Q3
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
Risk. If the panoramic glass detaches during vehicle operation, it can increase the risk of injury or crash.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mercedes-Benz.
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Engine
14 owners mentioned a cost$2,600median
Middle half: $2,000 – $6,000
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2016 vs. every other C300 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the C300 median. How we score
'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300, and the recalls they led to.
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
- Front Roof Panel DetachmentLed to recall 21V-197
In owners' words
What C300 owners report
Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
Hi, in the Fall of 2025 my 2016 Mercedes Benz C300 4 Matic, started giving off smelly fumes while my car was idling/ warming up. I registered a complaint with the Corporate Mercedes Benz Office USA, LLC in April 2026 @ [PHONE], after the dealership would not correct the issue free of charge. 1.…
NHTSA Safety Complaint – 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 Vehicle: 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 | Mileage: 74,662 miles What Happened I’m filing this complaint because my 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 suffered a sudden, complete engine failure at 74,662 miles, and I believe it’s a safety risk that deserves…
My C300 MBZ, 2016 is experiencing the same symptoms as indicated in a recall, but my vehicle is not included in that recall. Camshaft: GENERAL REPAIR A cam is a rotating or sliding piece in a mechanical linkage used especially in transforming rotary motion into linear motion or vice versa. Cams act…
Own a 2016 C300?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.