2016 Mercedes-Benz C300
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 453 |
| 2011 | 480 |
| 2012 | 264 |
| 2013 | 258 |
| 2014 | 94 |
| 2015 | 376 |
| 2016 | 285 |
| 2017 | 214 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
33% of complaints: engine — 93 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ C300. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 71 MPH, A KNOCKING SOUND WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO THRUST BACK AND FORTH AS IF IT WERE RUNNING OUT OF FUEL.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171107
20% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 57 distinct reports on file.
CRASH11% of complaints: electrical system — 31 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
AFTER STOPPING AND WAITING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT FOR 15-30 SECONDS, I HAD MY FEET ON THE BRAKES AND LEFT TURN INDICATOR ON. THE "HOLD" OPTION TO LOCK MY BRAKES WAS NOT ENGAGED. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY.
NHTSA ODI report, 20160917
8% of complaints: structure — 24 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
Panoramic sunroof fails to open/ close evenly due to binding issue and plastic track failure. One side binds while the other moves, causing glass to tilt and jam.
NHTSA ODI report, 20260424
AFTER STOPPING AND WAITING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT FOR 15-30 SECONDS, I HAD MY FEET ON THE BRAKES AND LEFT TURN INDICATOR ON. THE "HOLD" OPTION TO LOCK MY BRAKES WAS NOT ENGAGED. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY.
NHTSA ODI report, 20160917
6% of complaints: power train — 18 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
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...
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 16V087000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 16V603000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 16V438000 — check if this car was fixed
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...
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 17V177000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 17V243000 — check if this car was fixed
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 17V114000 — check if this car was fixed
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 17V627000 — check if this car was fixed
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...
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 18V850000 — check if this car was fixed
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 19V787000 — check if this car was fixed
Front Roof Panel Detachment
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 21V058000 — check if this car was fixed
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...
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 21V197000 — check if this car was fixed
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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...
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 21V961000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 23V854000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine issues (93 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (57 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (31 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 16V087000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V603000 (electronic stability control (esc)) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V438000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V177000 (air bags, electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V243000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V114000 (electrical system, engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V627000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V850000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V787000 (communication) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V058000 (communication, electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V197000 (structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V961000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 23V854000 (structure) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 33% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 have?
13 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.